Health and safety at work

[SteveCarter200]

Right, serious one this. Ive just started a new job and theres something that I think is unreasonable, possibly a bit dangerous and definately uncomfortable.

Basically I drive an armoured security van and service ATMs. The problem is that being armoured means that the door windows dont wind down so in the summer like today (worked today:cry: ) the only ventilation is the blowers. Theres no aircon so all you get is some tepid or warm air blowing at you. So even when driving I'm sitting there sweating and when we come to a halt and have to get in the back of the van (with partition door closed) to sort out cash and stuff its like being in a Japanese prison camp sweat box. The bloody van retains the heat too, at 6 this evening it was still hot as fook in the van. Didnt realise it had actually cooled down outside till we stopped at a job and I opened the door.

So what I'm asking is are there any H&S regulations covering this? I think its bollocks that I have to drive practically all day with prectically no fresh air, sweating and getting a headache because of the heat, not to mention getting drowsy while bombing down a motorway.

Anything I can do?

[Martin T]

The law requires them to do what is reasnobly practicable for H&S.
If there is a real risk (i.e. you passing out whilst driving), then they would be required to do what is reasnobly practicable maybe fit air con to the vehicle. If they did not do that and you injured yourself as a result, then they would be open to a personal injury claim from you. Bare in mind that if it is not possible to fit aircon, then they may be able to get away with it, as it is not reasnobly practicable to fit it.
I used to do H&S for a year.

[SteveCarter200]

Hmmm, aircon could be fitted as its an option from new, which the van is as its only done 3500 miles. Fookin cheapskates.:mad:

[Martin T]

Know the feeling. I work for a company like that. Problem is that you dont want to p1ss off your new bosses do you?

[Gary@APT]

hi steve

missus reckons that the law stands only on low temps must be higher than a certian amount

we could be wrong though

:thumbs:

[kingdeacon]

buy a big mother of a fan, or make one from a old 12v rad fan:D even if its only hot air blowing about its better than non. I used to fit loft insurlation for 2 years, in lofts all day in the summer was a ****ing nightmare! some lofts used to get near 50c. with no air flow. me and the guys all chipped in and made a monster fan which used to help alot. I used to drink 4-5 litres of water by 2pm with out going to the piss once! due to sweating it all out :eek: that job did have 1 good side, I lost 4 stone in the time i was there

[Deacon]

i hate loft spaces

as a plumber going out on the job proper for the first time when its hot

**** me ! up in loft spaces in overalls crouching over something with a blow torch :cry:


lost weight though :D

[kingdeacon]

you want to fall out of one:eek: I landed in the customers bed room after ripping the celling right down, while a lady was in bed:sleep: should have seen her face:D

[Deacon]

was she fit ? :p



i watched a bloke going though a celing

then again he was a chippe

mad fookers :wack:

[SteveCarter200]

Ummm, back to the point please. I need advice.

[JB]

Basically there's not a lot you can do. H&S doesn't cover heat in vehicles unless they're used to carry produce/livestock as far as I know. You could try having a word with your employer but as the vehicle is new then they're unlikely to be swapping it soon for one with aircon. Your best bet is to carry lots of fluid on board (or a Thermos filled with ice cold whatever) so that you don't dehydrate.

Just be greatful that in the uk climate there aren't going to be too many hot days in a year.

[stoofer]

one of those fridges that runs off the cigarette lighter may be useful

[JB]

Or one of those in car fans.

Or maybe approach NASA and see if they've got one of those rinkydink spacesuits filled with cooling fluid lying about doing nothing. On the other hand, maybe not.

[D]

No idea re: H&S.

But more importantly, congratulations on the new job, mate :)

[Braintree]

The laws which cover security guards/drivers are VERY different to those which govern the rest of the country.

H&S and your general rights are covered under the same ruling as what governs the Armed Forces.

Being a security guard/driver means:

You are not entitled to a break
You are not covered by the 48 working hours ruling
You are not covered by the conditions of work ruling

You're basically put in a position of like it or leave!!

[Martin T]

Looks like you're going to have to get a fvck off big fan for your van then, mate:(

[kingdeacon]

Originally posted by *DeathStar*
was she fit ? :p





yes very:thumbs: she saw the funny side of to, which was cool.
back on topic: looks like you a bit nackered m8, big fan is best bet i recon

[ScoobyDoo]

Steve,

You can get portable 12v aircon units, but they are not cheap!

http://www.swampy.net/12vcombo.html

what do the other drivers say? perhaps there is a security risk if you end up feeling drowsy?

[AshT_200]

Originally posted by ScoobyDoo
Steve,

You can get portable 12v aircon units, but they are not cheap!


Shouldn't worry Steve, he's got all that money in the back of his van:thumbs: :wack:

[mattpayne]

Dude... looks like your pretty much screwed... :(

http://www.bcentral.co.uk/admin/people/healthsafety/officesfaq/IS_THE~2.asp

[docwra]

Originally posted by SteveCarter200
Theres no aircon so all you get is some tepid or warm air blowing at you. So even when driving I'm sitting there sweating at 6 this evening it was still hot as fook in the van. Didnt realise it had actually cooled down outside till we stopped at a job and I opened the door.


Ever been to a Turkish prison, Stevie?? :D :D

Seriously though I looked into this when I was a chef - in at least one place we had a teperature, by the (open) door of 49 degs C ............... :eek: :eek:
It was that hot that you would sweat into the deep fat fryers, causing them to spit at you :eek:
Turns out there is no maximum temperature, only a minimum one. Id imagine even that is different if you are working off site (e.g. in a van) :(
Sorry mate :(

[SteveCarter200]

Poo.:(

[Papa Lazarou]

Don't know about vehicles especially but for workplaces in general it only has to be warm enough. There is no maximum temperature. I feel your pain dude. The office must have been well over 30 degrees this afternoon I was sweating my ass off :mad:

EDIT oops already been posted.

[Pauly_Boy]

Have a look through these....

Health and Safety (http://www.hse.gov.uk)

Human Rights (http://www.lcd.gov.uk/hract/)

I know that the minimum working temperture is 18C as i put the shits up my Sainsburys when the entire checkout area was 13C and I said all my checkout assistants would walk out :eek:
I forced them to buy all the staff 3 cups of coffee a day until they fixed the heating, needless to say it took 2 days when they'd originally said theres noething they could do about it.

They can't sack you by the way, If they did you could get a nice pay out for unfair dissmisal :thumbs:

[Kev]

i doubt it Pauly, he is well under the two years, they can pretty much sack u for whatever reason they feel like.

Steve, i reckon theres nout u can do bud sorry.
All id suggest is something along the lines of a couple of days in bed on the sick for de-hydration.
or heat stroke (or does that need to be sun induced).

but yeah id ask the other blokes what they do about it, and see if there is a union.

Kev