Latest news with #NationalAccidentHelpline
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in?
FEELING HOT HOT HOT Office rights explained: What temperature is too hot to work in? THE UK is basking in glorious sunshine with temperatures set to peak at over 30 degrees Celsius in parts. The Met Office has said a heatwave is "likely" this weekend with sunshine continuing into next week. Advertisement 1 We explain your rights when it comes to working during warmer weather But what are your rights when it comes to working during hot weather? We explain everything you need to know below. What rights do I have if it's too hot in the office? There's no minimum or maximum temperature for offices or other places of work currently defined in law. Employers have to make sure conditions are "reasonable" - but that definition is obviously open to interpretation. Advertisement John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline said: "Temperatures in the workplace are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, which place a legal obligation on employers to provide a 'reasonable' temperature in the workplace. "They suggest that the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16°C, or if the work involves rigorous physical exertion, it can be 13°C. "Unfortunately, there are no laws which specifically state that workers can stop working if the temperature gets too hot or cold." The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has previously suggested bosses should ensure their workers have access to water and monitor their wellbeing in hot weather. Advertisement Typical symptoms of heat stress are: An inability to concentrate Muscle cramps Heat rash Severe thirst - a late symptom of heat stress Fainting Heat exhaustion - fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin Heat stroke - hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage However, if enough members of staff complain about working conditions, bosses should carry out a risk assessment. The HSE says: 'If a significant number of employees are complaining about thermal discomfort, your employer should carry out a risk assessment, and act on the results of that assessment.' John adds: "If an employee feels uncomfortable, then they should speak to their employer as they are obliged to act reasonably and provide a safe working environment." Advertisement If you're a vulnerable staff member - including being menopausal or pregnant - you should take this into account when deciding on a plan of action. You may not get to work from home, though. Instead, the business might provide fans, relax dress codes, turn up the air conditioning, or consider other measures to make things more comfortable. What are the temperature recommendations? The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers recommends the following temperatures for different working areas: Advertisement Heavy work in factories: 13°C Light work in factories: 16°C Hospital wards and shops: 18°C Offices and dining rooms: 20°C What are my rights if I need to take public transport? Each transport company sets its own policies - and like with offices, there's no law about temperatures during a heatwave. This can mean that travellers face extremely high temperatures when out and about. For example, in 2018, Londoners complained of 42C temperatures on the Tube. Transport for London however has since said all Tubes will be air-conditioned by 2030. Advertisement If you are travelling on public transport, make sure you bring a bottle of water with you, and if possible, wear cool, loose, and light clothing. People are sharing their best "air con" hacks to keep cool in the heatwave and all you need is a bottle of water. If you're sat at work wincing in pain at sunburn caught over the weekend, here's five ways to soothe it. Keeping safe in the sun Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through. Drink water Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day. Use suncream According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Brits believe roads will be fully driverless in 15 years - but want tougher laws
The government has set a timetable for the introduction of self-driving vehicles but research suggests many people are wary People want tough laws to keep driverless cars safe, a poll found. Most think self-driving vehicles will be commonplace within 15 years, and a quarter of young adults expect to buy one in the next three years. But the safety of the rapidly evolving technology is a concern. Nearly four in 10 questioned in research by National Accident Helpline disagreed that the current laws are adequate to address it. This figure rose to more than half among people aged 55 and over. Nearly 60% of the 2,000 respondents agreed that drivers should have a new licence for a self-driving car, while almost eight in 10 think self-driving cars should be required to pass more stringent safety tests than human-driven vehicles. The results come after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander this week announced that the government will allow self-driving commercial vehicle pilot schemes from spring 2026. Uber, one of the first firms taking advantage of the move, says it will launch a robotaxi service in partnership with UK AI firm Wayve in London as soon as next spring. A wider rollout is expected when the full Automated Vehicles Act becomes law from the second half of 2027, although local authorities' consent will be required. John Kushnick, legal operations director at National Accident Helpline, said: 'What's fascinating is that many people express safety concerns about self-driving cars, yet often overlook how unsafe human drivers actually are. This highlights a clear gap in public understanding – most accidents are caused by human error, not technology. 'Over a third of respondents said they'd trust autopilot on planes more than a self-driving car, but again, that comes down to familiarity and education. Automation is already making travel safer, and public attitudes will likely shift over time, just as they did with autopilot in planes. "Liability, however, remains a key question. With autonomous vehicles, it's likely that manufacturers will bear more responsibility. "The benefit is that these cars will record everything, making it easier to establish fault. However, we'll need to rethink how insurance works when the human is no longer in control – does the policy belong to the person or the machine?" The implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act has been delayed by a year. It became law in May 2024, was initially hailed as a major step forward for the UK's self-driving car ambitions, establishing a legal framework stating that when a vehicle is in self-driving mode, the manufacturer - not the human occupant - is liable for its behaviour, with the intention of paving the way for the introduction of autonomous vehicles as early as 2026. Several factors contributed to the government's decision to push back the approval date, with safety concerns playing a major role.
