Workplace Report November 2003

Features: Health & Safety News

Kitchen staff threaten walk out over high temperature

Union action over high temperatures has forced contractors Jarvis to make improvements in the workplace.

Kitchen staff at Rawthorpe High School in Kirklees, backed by public services union UNISON, threatened to walk out earlier this month unless improvements to the ventilation system were made.

Jarvis built the kitchen under the Kirklees Private Finance Intiative in 2001, but workers have suffered headaches and dizziness from temperatures of over 30C. The contractor has agreed to make the improvements within a month.