Working in a very hot enviroment

PasturesNew

I've worked in many jobs where I had to fake working because my brain/body had really stopped working. You'd think bosses would realise that people can't work properly when they're hot and do something about it, but they don't.

I feel sorry for you OP, if I were in a chippy I just know I'd end up having an accident because my ability to think/react would have stopped and I'd become like a "blithering idiot" and clumsy.... hot fat and clumsiness aren't a good combination.

But, as has been said, there's no upper limit for temperature.

Googlewhacker

emmell wrote: »

When I worked in my sisters chippy we had an air conditioning unit under the counter but it only cooled the person stood directly in front of it, it's also not as effective because the door was open. We also had fans but they seemed to just blow the hot air around, we used to freeze bottled water so it gradually defrosted as we worked so we always had a cold refreshing drink, also we used to put clean towels in the freezer to put round our necks to cool us down.
The upside of the job is it's great behind the counter when it's freezing outside.
ML.

That sounds like the employer was trying to help but at the end of the day in some businesses heat will be a factor whatever you do

Meestapink

GW is right 100% , as said before there is no upper working temperature limit, I know it sounds crazy but that's the way it goes sometimes. In my own job heat is a massive factor in fatigue and personal safety, hence it is important you raise these issues with your employer. I am not in anyway being condescending though when I warned up above about the attitudes may well be different in a part time chip shop job to a multi-national company, it is simply stating facts. It doesn't make it right but there are plenty of students willing to do a few weeks and disappear, as long as his large haddock and chips keep flying out the door his diary will be full of people to take your place. In my industry there is such a massive emphasis of safety in the workplace things like this get heard, unfortunately in such as the fast food and bar industry Stavros will not want to lose his already huge profit margin and there will be someone to fill your boots. Sorry but although not good practice I know of so many cases and bosses that have done such.

bap98189

When I was a student, I spent two summers picking tomatoes. These were grown in massive greenhouses, so you can probably imaging how much fun that was on sunny days.

honeypop

mardatha wrote: »

Thats right - there are no upper limits, as long as they provide you with drinks there's nothing you can do.

Sorry to hijack the thread a little, but is the bit about providing drinks covered by an actual regulation anywhere? (or allowing access to water?)

Just interested to know, as where DH works he collects a van each morning from the depot (that may or may not have functioning air con), drives round for approx 9 hours making deliveries and collections, and during that time cannot exit the van for anything other than a scheduled stop (one of his deliveries/collections).

He takes bottles of water with him, although they soon heat up in the van (they are not allowed to take bags on), the air con never gets the chance to get going properly as he is never driving for long enough before having to stop again (the windows cannot open), and what with having to wear a helmet and body armour, these drivers are literally burning up all day long in this weather. They are not allowed to get off the van to buy drinks, so what they manage to carry onto the van in the morning is all they have.

Due to the heat, amongst other things I worry about him fatiguing which would actually be deadly if it affected his driving and he caused an accident, or even while off the van on one of his jobs if he gets robbed (a frequent occurance in the job).

He has suggested to the management that they allow them to take on board more drinking water (even perhaps providing it for them), but they say its not something they have to allow/consider. I think this is putting lives at risk, dramatic I know, but true in this job.

Googlewhacker

Freeze the bottles overnight so they stay colder for longer

honeypop

They do, unfortunately doesn't help the amount of water. If they can only take on say 2 bottles, they still only have 2 bottles of water. Boiling up all day and need a larger quantity. It will probably be one of the first things he brings up if he makes it to management, following your advice on the other thread Googlewhacker!

Snakeeyes21

If you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen!!

Googlewhacker

honeypop wrote: »

They do, unfortunately doesn't help the amount of water. If they can only take on say 2 bottles, they still only have 2 bottles of water. Boiling up all day and need a larger quantity. It will probably be one of the first things he brings up if he makes it to management, following your advice on the other thread Googlewhacker!

Sorry if this is a stupid idea but if the limit is two bottles why not take 2 5ltr bottles on or have they limited the Millage?

Meestapink

Take as many bottles of water as you can, and ask your employer about the provision of salt tablets . If not and I know this sounds as mad as the "Cup of tea" cools you down argument. Go into any pound store or wilkinsons and you can pick up packet drinks of Bovril or just normal OXO cubes. Yes you may be in a hot environment but you do need to replace the salt levels in your body, just one oxo cube should just about do an eight hour shift in extreme heat before feeling dehydrated. If not consult medical help if you have any signs of blurred vision or faintness. And also record if possible and contact your direct supervisor at the first signs of it.