Working outdoors in the cold

pillphil

Is there any regulations about working outdoors when it's cold? All I can find is this one for the UK.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/outdoor.htm

davo10

pillphil wrote: »

Is there any regulations about working outdoors when it's cold? All I can find is this one for the UK.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/outdoor.htm

Either wear a good jacket or only work outdoors during the summer.

pillphil

*sarcastic applause*

Stheno

pillphil wrote: »

*sarcastic applause*

this has been discussed on here before and iirc there are no regulations. What type of work and how long?

pillphil

Standing in a car park all day

davo10

pillphil wrote: »

*sarcastic applause*

If your job is outdoors then if you have a problem working when whether is cold, what do you expect, to sit inside until temperature rise above 10 degrees?

michael999999

Get thermals.

Did you think they were going to supply you with a patio heater when you applied for the job?

Stheno

pillphil wrote: »

Standing in a car park all day

that's not very helpful, are you not moving around at all? Have you asked to be provided with a coat/jacket?

pillphil

I have thermals

davo10

pillphil wrote: »

I have thermals

It's 6 degrees, hardly minus 20.

Stheno

davo10 wrote: »

It's 6 degrees, hardly minus 20.

id tend to agree with this tbh

perhaps add more layers

dobman88

You say you have thermals. Wear them. Get a good jacket and a drop of man the fcuk up and stop being so soft.

pillphil

davo10 wrote: »

If your job is outdoors then if you have a problem working when whether is cold, what do you expect, to sit inside until temperature rise above 10 degrees?

No, I'd expect to be able to take a few minutes every so often to warm up again. 3 degrees isn't particularly bad to stand around in, but after 8 hours, it's pretty ****ing cold.

pillphil

dobman88 wrote: »

You say you have thermals. Wear them. Get a good jacket and a drop of man the fcuk up and stop being so soft.

Do you think I leave them at home?

pillphil

Did I accidentally wander into AH or something?

Stheno

pillphil wrote: »

No, I'd expect to be able to take a few minutes every so often to warm up again. 3 degrees isn't particularly bad to stand around in, but after 8 hours, it's pretty ****ing cold.

do you not get a lunch break?

dobman88

Do you think I leave them at home?

If your wearing them, whats the problem. Its hardly Arctic old out there. I dont see how its a work problem, more a personal issue tbh. Grow up and deal with it or find another job. Simple

dpofloinn

pillphil wrote: »

Did I accidentally wander into AH or something?

What where you expecting? You work outdoors in Ireland its cold and wet get over it or change professions.Surely when you took the job you knew it was an outdoor job? Have your company issued you with cold and wet weather gear?

davo10

pillphil wrote: »

Did I accidentally wander into AH or something?

I think you should have posted this thread in AH, it's not sunbathing weather but for this time of year it's not unusually cold either. It is an outdoor job you are doing, I'm amazed you would think there are regulations about this, if there were, builders, gardai, traffic wardens, sales people etc would not be working.

Man up.

micosoft

Seriously? You're working in a car park - not out on sea on a trawler in a gale. You won't get much sympathy. You might just walk around a bit...

I've never actually been cold when working outdoors because.... I've been working!

pillphil

micosoft wrote: »

Seriously? You're working in a car park - not out on sea on a trawler in a gale. You won't get much sympathy. You might just walk around a bit...

I've never actually been cold when working outdoors because.... I've been working!

Where did I look for sympathy?

dpofloinn

pillphil wrote: »

Where did I look for sympathy?

In your opening post when you looked for regs but came up empty handed

pillphil

And that's looking for sympathy, is it?

pillphil

I'm just curious, what exactly is it ye think I'm trying to do?

davo10

pillphil wrote: »

And that's looking for sympathy, is it?

Yip, your OP reads like " my tossies are cold, is my boss breaking the law?"

Arthur Beesley

I'd recommend layers, OP. Then you can take some layer(s) off when it isn't as cold, or add more layer(s) if it gets colder.

pillphil

davo10 wrote: »

Yip, your OP reads like " my tossies are cold, is my boss breaking the law?"

Well you'd be wrong then

dpofloinn

Yup when you go looking for regs about working conditions that is usually a '' woe is me'' and ''look how im suffering'' type of enquiry

Eoin

Can people stop being dicks please

Stheno

pillphil wrote: »

Well you'd be wrong then

do you get supplied with outdoor clothes by your employer?

Markcheese

If there are no regs then that's that...
But do wear double thermal socks ,
Do get proper winter weight polypropylene thermals,full set ,(mountaineering type gear)
If you can get some marino wool long sleeve t shirts,
A couple of thin layers of fleece (better than one thick one)
And something wind proof /waterproof to go over the top ,
A decent hat and a thermal tube/scarf thingy...
You will look like Michelin man , you will cook if you go into a hot room for more than 10 mins but you will be warm outdoors no matter what ...
I work outdoors all day and was grand even during the freeze 3/4 years ago

Tzardine

There are no regulations unfortunately. You are required to have access to toilet / drinking water and food heating facilities though, and they do not necessarily have to be on site. So long as they are available within a reasonable distance.

Weirdly if you worked in an office there are minimum temperatures that it must be.

Employer is hopefully providing you with a good warm high vis coat. Invest in a good pair of boots and thermal socks and it will help too.

Grid.

Good baselayers under your thermals will keep you toasty.

Stheno

Markcheese wrote: »

If there are no regs then that's that...
But do wear double thermal socks ,
Do get proper winter weight polypropylene thermals,full set ,(mountaineering type gear)
If you can get some marino wool long sleeve t shirts,
A couple of thin layers of fleece (better than one thick one)
And something wind proof /waterproof to go over the top ,
A decent hat and a thermal tube/scarf thingy...
You will look like Michelin man , you will cook if you go into a hot room for more than 10 mins but you will be warm outdoors no matter what ...
I work outdoors all day and was grand even during the freeze 3/4 years ago

agree with this layers wool if possible then fleece then windproof. Where are you based?

davo10

This thread reminds me of that TV ad for Dublin Bus (I think that's the ad) with the bouncer who is rubbing his hands because he wore fingerless gloves. Definitely for AH.

Tzardine

davo10 wrote: »

This thread reminds me of that TV ad for Dublin Bus (I think that's the ad) with the bouncer who is rubbing his hands because he wore fingerless gloves. Definitely for AH.

Dont get me started on Network Noel.

mrsbyrne

I think your wondering if there are extra breaks your entitled to if you wgorking outdoors.
I don't think so, but SIPTU would be able to tell you if there are special directives for your industry. Give them a ring.
Your entitled to 15 minute break after 4 hours. You could ask your employer if you could split this break up over the 4 hours.

Bandana boy

I know of one freezer warehouse which operates at -25 degrees and the employees get 10 mins every hour out of the freezer , not sure if that is practise or regulations.