Legal rights when working away?

Jimrod

Not sure who to ask but my father (59) has been working for an engineering company for around 6 years now and to be frank himself and the other employees are treated like crap by the boss. He's too old to look for work elsewhere and too poor to think of quitting but I feel that the boss is going to actually end up causing harm to him with his lack of care for safety etc.

Last week and for the next two weeks he's being expected to work away on a job sharing a room with two other employees. Can't even get a phone signal as it's a basement room. They were told they'd have single rooms. The job itself requires moving heavy (300kg!) staircases around and now one man has been pulled off the job it's down to the three of them to do it with just a block and tackle. Surely this is in breach of health and safety?

This is just an example of how he's treated and his health has been declining because of it. Is there anyone we can approach for advice?

Thanks in advance.

paddedjohn

How is his health being affected by sharing a room and moving heavy stairs using the correct equipment?

Jimrod

Well considering at least one person would be required to position the stairs that leaves two lifting 300kg, seems a lot of weight with no machinery involved to support it in these days of health and safety.

As for the room sharing from what I've read most companies give single room occupancy as a minimum when required to work away for privacy and downtime. This is why I'm asking the question.

paddedjohn

One man can lift 1000kg with chain blocks. As far as sharing a room goes, that's between him and his boss but if I was working away the max I would share with would be one other and even then only if I knew them well.

anamenottaken

Jimrod wrote: »

Not sure who to ask but my father (59) has been working for an engineering company for around 6 years now and to be frank himself and the other employees are treated like crap by the boss. He's too old to look for work elsewhere and too poor to think of quitting but I feel that the boss is going to actually end up causing harm to him with his lack of care for safety etc.

Last week and for the next two weeks he's being expected to work away on a job sharing a room with two other employees. Can't even get a phone signal as it's a basement room. They were told they'd have single rooms. The job itself requires moving heavy (300kg!) staircases around and now one man has been pulled off the job it's down to the three of them to do it with just a block and tackle. Surely this is in breach of health and safety?

This is just an example of how he's treated and his health has been declining because of it. Is there anyone we can approach for advice?

Thanks in advance.

At 59 he's too old to look for work, NOT.

I wouldn't want to be living in a dormitory (which sharing with 2 others is in my view) and I have no knowledge of how one would move a 300kg staircase. If these are the problems for him which you suggest, then he does need to look for something else.

If he was told there would be single rooms, he should raise the matter in writing, first with his line manager and then to HR if nothing is done about it.

Has a risk assessment been done regarding the work? Has he seen it?