Working in the Heatwave

Katapolt

I did have a little search but couldnt find anything on this (im surprised! Must just be me that cant cope)

In my office, i sit by the window (theyre above head level) but there are no blinds at all. We have no aircon, one ceiling fan and thats it.
Im really struggling with the recent temperatures. Ive been getting migraines, nausea, and today its just been the worst. theres no airflow, were upstairs so cant open any doors, and its just stuffy and awful. I feel like I cant concentrate and my head is just pounding.

I know there are no regulations or rules around maximum temps when working, but is there ANYTHING i can do? I know they wont buy anything or change anything long term as we will be moving office block early next year.

Its just the worst feeling rubbish all day and just going home to sleep off a migraine and doing it all over again.

campbell19925

I assume you work near a plug?

Buy a desk fan - or a larger area fan.

Sit with a bottle of water too or bring ice in a bottle to work and put that against your head when you're feeling hot.

PasturesNew

Even though there is no legal top temperature, your Manager still has a duty of care for the health and well-being of the staff - and should've supplied you with fans and water or whatever... to just ignore it is poor management.

Katapolt

i currently have lots of water, and try and go into the kitchenette as much as i can as its one of the few cool places! I will look into a desk fan, but it means coming out of my savings (every penny is accounted for somewhere!) and i feel a bit frustrated that its something i have to provide myself.

campbell19925

Katapolt wrote: »

i currently have lots of water, and try and go into the kitchenette as much as i can as its one of the few cool places! I will look into a desk fan, but it means coming out of my savings (every penny is accounted for somewhere!) and i feel a bit frustrated that its something i have to provide myself.

You can get a cheap USB desk fan for £2.69 on amazon. Probably could find cheaper if I did some research.

I understand that it probably frustrates you, but if it helps alleviate your "migraines + nausea" then it has to be worth it.

ohreally

The ACoP informs...

If the temperature in a workroom is uncomfortably high, for example because of hot processes or building design, take all reasonable steps to achieve a reasonably comfortable temperature, for example by:
insulating hot plants or pipes;
providing air-cooling plant;
shading windows;
siting workstations away from places subject to radiant heat.



If a reasonably comfortable temperature cannot be achieved throughout a workroom, local cooling should be provided. In extremely hot weather, fans and increased ventilation may be used instead of local cooling.

Are extra breaks available to cool off?

Sea_Shell

Take a hand towel in, wet it, wring it out and drape it round your neck.

MovingForwards

Poundland are currently selling small USB fans.
Argos have decent sized desk fans for about £15.

For the sake of a few quid it's better you buy a fan than suffer with migraines.

My desk fan is constantly on at work as the person who sits opposite me is always cold and has a fan heater on....

coffeehound

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1963/41

See the section under ventilation. IME ignored by employers though

TELLIT01

Many companies won't allow staff to take their own electrical equipment into the office because it won't be PAC tested. Likewise plugging anything into USB ports is also a no-no. The employer should be taking the necessary action. Has the OP raised it and if so what was the reaction?

theoretica

Can you improvise blinds by taping newspaper or something to the window?



Freeze plastic bottles of water and take them in so they give you cold water as they defrost.



Even a hand fan from a piece of paper or card will help.