Maximum work temperatures.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
July 19, 2016 3:22pm CST
Today we have had some very unusual high temperatures throughout the UK. A group of MP's have tabled an early motion so that people should be sent home from work by their employers if the temperature exceeds 30C (86F) or 27C (80.6) if you do heavy manual work.
Here in the UK we have minimum working temperatures but there has never been a law setting out what the highest temperature you can work in.
Can you imagine the chaos it would cause if we were all to down tools at that kind of decision. No hospitals being staffed because it is too hot. No shops open because it was too hot for the staff to work in. Schools closed public transport stopped because it was too hot for the drivers to drive in?
We are quite backward where air conditioning is concerned. Many of our buildings do not have it although this is increasing now. How are things where you live? Do you have maximum working temperatures? Do you get sent home from work it it is too hot?
23 people like this
22 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Jul 16
It would cause absolute mayhem because many jobs involve seriously high temperatures at the best of times. Very few restaurants or kitchens would remain open and in extreme weather even outdoor workers would be sent home.
Imagine giving a park keeper the day off because it is too hot, so he takes his family to the park instead.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
A bit like the tube drivers who wanted 'family time' but then wanted overtime payments for working those 'family times as overtime!
2 people like this
@egdcltd (12060)
•
20 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 I actually have a portable air conditioning unit at home. Unfortunately, due to the stupid design of my windows, I have to open one completely to use it. Which kind of defeats the purpose.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
20 Jul 16
@egdcltd I have one in my study and am currently nice and cool!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
You and me both! LOL I Function much better in the cold!
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54189)
• Louisville, Kentucky
23 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 I couldn't do it either. I think we do become acclimated to being indoors with the air conditioning.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
23 Jul 16
@simone10 We sure do. My daughter has just arrived in Florida and she said it is terribly humid and very hot!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
22 Jul 16
I know I could not work in such heat. I don't know if you can become acclimatised to it?
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
19 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 you get used to it - the only time its horrid is when you hubby wants a cooked meal - more likely a cooked wife!!
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Jul 16
It's going to be about 40C (104F) here in Texas this week @garymarsh6 . People here in the US are spoiled with the AC.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
21 Jul 16
OH my goodness Nanette That would kill me. I would be senseless
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
22 Jul 16
@nanette64 My oh my that is far too hot. I don't think we ever get temperatures like that in the UK.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 At 59 I worked as a ranch hand 10 hours a day, 6 days a week and this was regardless of whether it was 110 degrees, raining, snowing, sleeting; whatever. It was a killer job.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
26 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 Oh , i think that's not possible . The government would really a big budget if that happens .
And if that happens all those in private will surely transfer to the public schools. 
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
25 Jul 16
Hopefully the public schools will install it too!
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
19 Jul 16
It is a terrible thing to be required to work in the heat. Having done so for various reasons (what was I thinking) would not do it again. Thankfully, I work for MYSELF am well taken care of.
Thought of those working in restaurant and hospital kitchens-phew, it has to be terrible in those places and no doubt no one gets sent home.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307027)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Jul 16
No max temps here. It's business as usual, though they do caution about work in extreme heat when working outside. And we've had some extreme heat here lately.
I'm surprised you don't have more air conditioning than you do. I'm glad you're getting more of it.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 16
We are way behind you guys as so many of our buildings are so old. Many have preservation orders on them so you can not just put stuff in like that without planning permission.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
We don't and I doubt we ever will!
1 person likes this
@rina110383 (24495)
•
20 Jul 16
The only instance we are sent home from work is if it's raining hard and some areas are already flooded.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98944)
• India
20 Jul 16
We work even when it crosses 42 degrees C. But I think there is a range limitation that the body gets accustomed to. I would not work be able to work in low temperatures in your parts of the world, as you all would have issues with the 45 degrees that our cities touch.
@OreoBrownie (3755)
• Commerce, Georgia
21 Jul 16
I don't think it's done that way here. Heavy road workers laying tar are out in the hottest of temperatures. I imagine they have to keep water and gate Raiders on them.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
20 Jul 16
bless y'all's hearts. noperz, no such thingy here - they jest tell ya to drink more water 'n take more frequent small breaks. we spent nearly 3 weeks'n the triple digits, with hot winds to boot. nothin' shut down, e'en the road crews 'n others who'd jobs to do outdoors.
@jillybean1222 (6408)
•
20 Jul 16
the a/c is on in most places here. sometimes schools have closed early but i think that is more because kids are walking int he heat, not because of the building. often in august it is in the low 100's.
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
I unloaded a delivery at this shop I do a bit of work for.
Where the cages are put outside is right where the big fan thing pushes out the heat from all the fridges...you had to stand in the hot air for a few seconds as you unloaded each item...according to a thermometer at around 12.30 it was 45 there...bloody awful...I'm dreading friday when I go back but beggers can't be choosers.
PS...I'd love to have gone home but can't see that happening.
The guy that owns the place watches us from vietnam on about 40 cctv cameras.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
Vietnam!!! But that is a communist country? Haha! I guess for him 40C would be the norm. They were wearing thick winter coats when I was there and the temp was 29C
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
@Mike197602 OH blimey talk about Big Brother watching you! Thats pretty scary stuff Mike.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 he's a UK person with vietnamese origin.
what I find weird is that he literally micromanages everything by constantly watching his massive amount of cctv cameras...when he's supposed to be on holiday.
He messaged someone on FB to tell them to fill up the haribo star mix rack
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
20 Jul 16
Im not so sure as it has never affected my work but l think in some jobs:rail building,building constructions,farm work, they do have max temperatures where if crossed,an employer has to let people go home.
This will not affect hospitals or supermarkets,it only apply to people working outdoors in jobs some call back breaking.
