RMT Health & Safety rep Julie Miller is investigating the affect cold weather has on us at work and whether thermal wear will improve our working conditions
Thermal Comfort is defined in British Standard BS EN ISO 7730 as: ‘that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.’
So the term ‘Thermal Comfort’ describes a person’s psychological state of mind and is usually referred to in terms of whether someone is feeling too hot or too cold.
This survey will only look at the impact the cold weather has on staff. With your help, I will provide evidence that the cold and windy environment you have to work in has a detrimental affect on your physical and psychological well being.
Apart from this being a health and welfare issue, there are serious safety implications. Unfortunately, there are no laws surrounding Thermal Comfort, but there are laws protecting employees from unsafe systems of work which can adversely affect a workers health, safety and welfare. Also, employers have a duty of care towards its workforce.
I will use these laws, along with the results of this survey, to ask management to take this issue seriously and include Thermal clothing as part of our uniform issue. I shall also be looking for management to implement regular 'warm up' breaks.
It is vitally important you take part in this survey as the uniform is about to be reviewed. Together we can try to acquire a uniform that is functional and fit for purpose, therefore, your opinion definitely counts.