UCATT calls for extreme weather guidelines
Building union UCATT has accused the National House Building Council (NHBC) of washing it hands of any responsibility for ensuring that workers on housing projects are protected in extreme weather.
The union called on the construction industry body to introduce “long-overdue” extreme weather health and safety guidelines, but chief executive Mike Quinton responded that “NHBC cannot influence the terms under which workers or contractors are employed”
The union says that workers are being forced to risk their health on icy ground and scaffolding.
Brian Rye, acting general secretary of UCATT said: “It’s a complete indictment of an industry that has temperature guidelines to safeguard materials but none whatsoever for the workers. This must now change. In an age when we no longer send young children up chimneys to clean them, we should equally not be forcing construction workers to work in inhuman conditions.”
There is no legal minimum or maximum temperature for working outside. However, the construction unions are currently negotiating to have rules or guidance on working in extreme weather included in the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement.