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should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:44 pm
by bayman
well should people working in areas not airconditioned & not crucial to the state be excempt from working in tempreatures like today ?

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:46 pm
by bayman
i think any worker that has to work in oppresive conditions should have the opportunity to say no it is way too hot

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:49 pm
by wycbloods
good question bayman and one that i will have to deal with plenty of times in the near future. There are many people that work in conditions that we wouldn't want to be doing when it is 25 let alone 45 and there should be IMHO a leave early clause or something similar so that people are not working in these conditions for too long as it can be very dangerous.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:53 pm
by mighty_tiger_79
no, if im working everyone can work ;)

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:26 pm
by JK
bayman wrote:well should people working in areas not airconditioned & not crucial to the state be excempt from working in tempreatures like today ?


Paid or unpaid for time off?

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:34 pm
by tedbullpit
I think you will find that the majority of people in industry's relating to this topic have it written into their awards that they do not have to work once it reaches a certain temperature. I know in the Construction Industry those on an EBA have it written into their award that once it reaches 37 degrees they can walk off site; however it is their choice.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:58 pm
by Psyber
Nobody should have to do strenuous work in extreme conditions, but if they elect to quit for the day, the company should not be required to pay for the time not worked.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:36 pm
by Punk Rooster
Psyber wrote:Nobody should have to do strenuous work in extreme conditions, but if they elect to quit for the day, the company should not be required to pay for the time not worked.

Image

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:05 pm
by JAS
I'd be very surprised if your didn't have health and safety laws for working in extreme temps.

I know here that we had to have a thermometer on the wall of every office that had civilian workers and civil servants as they could legally refuse to work if the temps rose or fell above/below certain levels. And yes we did have the occasional summer when office temps went over 30...with lots of windows and no aircon it doesn't take much...and they just refused to work, called in the union rep and went home (with pay)...nothing we could do about it.

Regards
JAS

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:57 pm
by asert
you should get the option. most people are there cos they need the money tho so would prob stay anyway

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:01 pm
by mickey
As a hard working council worker :D 8) we get to go home at 38 with full pay, which is good on days like today when it got there at 9am

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:20 pm
by Dutchy
If thats the case them Office Workers should be able to quit and go home when its 24 and not a cloud in the sky

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:28 pm
by Squawk
I wouldn't like to work outside in those temps but why couldn't they take it as time owed? If they leave 3 hours early, they could make it up another time. The other option is to give people alternative duties indoors, if and when possible.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:33 pm
by once_were_warriors
I work in the civil construction industry and our policy is in consultation with the Project manager (me),site supervisor and field crews.Typically on days like this we will commence work earlier around 6am and work through to around 1 pm. 45 minutes work with 20 minute breaks in between.Working outside is much easier than in a factory , you tend to get the breaze and although its hot it cools the sweat. Its all about OWHS ,plenty of fluids and appropriate UV protection. However sometimes quality issues cancel works, can't pour concrete when its greater than 35 degrees and no good undertaking earthworks when you cover half the Barossa with dust when there is a strong northerly.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:45 pm
by mickey
Squawk wrote:I wouldn't like to work outside in those temps but why couldn't they take it as time owed? If they leave 3 hours early, they could make it up another time. The other option is to give people alternative duties indoors, if and when possible.


We had a similar arrangement last EBA, where it was 1/3 council time and 2/3 out of our RDO time. Now the council worked out after nearly 20 years that letting us bank our RDO time actually cost them money.
So now that we cant bank time they pay us out.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:52 pm
by mickey
Dutchy wrote:If thats the case them Office Workers should be able to quit and go home when its 24 and not a cloud in the sky


I'll swap ya dutchy, try this 2morrow when u get home from work, get your old jeans on, long sleeve top, gloves, ear muffs, steel cap boots, thick socks and wide brim hat.

Now go out and mow the lawn for 3 hours only stopping to re fuel or have a quick drink.

After 3 three hours stop for 15 minutes, have a quick bite to eat and a drink, then go stand near the exhaust of the car or air con fan for another 3 hours.

then welcome to the world of the outdoor worker ;)

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:54 pm
by Dirko
Having worked at the Airport for 17 years, I haven't found a hotter place here and Darwin during the heat then on a Tarmac....

Absolutely disgusting unloading aircraft during close to 60 degree heat (temp it can reach on tarmac)....

Inside the aircraft is just as bad.

Luckily for the lads the new belt room at the airport is air-conditioned...

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:56 pm
by Punk Rooster
Dutchy wrote:If thats the case them Office Workers should be able to quit and go home when its 24 and not a cloud in the sky

Dutchy, that post makes office workers look ignorant to the rigours of working out in these conditions- not something to be flippant about.

I work in air-conditioned comfort, my thoughts are with those who are working in the conditions.
My men are required to work out-doors, & having been there & done it, know it's not pleasant.
All you can do is hope customers provide them with lots of cold water.
Yars ago, I worked for a moll in Walkerville (doing external termite treatment), it was 40 degrees, & she stuck her beak out at 3 in the arvo, exclaimed how hot it was, & disappeared!
When I finsished the job 2 hours later (having been there since half 8), I was drenched with sweat, & 8 kg's lighter.. she then asked if i'd inspect her house! I virtually told her to fugg off.

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:29 pm
by Dutchy
it was a joke people :roll:

Re: should factory & outside workers be excempt from working

PostPosted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:37 pm
by TroyGFC
Having worked 5 years in a foundry and 12 years in a carplant, now in a tin shed I have to say. NO WORK WHEN OVER 39degrees, it **** you up for days after. Where i am now they have us starting at 6am-2:30pm but still its too ******* hot on the drive home.

FWIW- Dutchy poor form. :roll: