Work not taking red alert seriously

[Founderflower]

Why are some people not taking the red weather warning seriously? Where I am it’s 39 degrees on Wed/ Thur but ‘feels like’ 42 according to BBC.

At work they’re expecting everyone in - the office is air conditioned, so fine, but we’re central London so everyone needs to schlep in on public transport.

Red means a danger to life and not just for vulnerable people. Some people who are healthy will die because of the weather. There’s warnings of power outages and transport failures. So what happens if we get stuck on a broken down underground train?

I KNOW other countries see these temps regularly. But they are prepared for dealing with it. England is not and it fucks up. I don’t want a heart attack from sitting in 48 degree heat on a train. I’m really stressed out!

If it were a red warning around severe wind or rain or flooding they wouldn’t be telling everyone to come in! So why is heat seen differently?

Haha thanks - you get all sorts don’t you!

I guess your CEO's on Mumsnet.

Sensible policy which allows workers to manage the situation as best they can.

OP I think if you are fairly senior then you should take a stand on this for people lower down the ranks who are less able to have their voices heard. This is absolutely a public health issue and your employer should be treating it as such. I would certainly be pointing that out to them in your shoes. They are risking people's life and limb for brand packaging FFS.

GWR are now saying essential travel only on Wednesday and Thursday.

You’re probably better off than those people who spend their working days in hot hospitals and crowded classrooms.

This 100pc
One rule for one 🤔

Crossposted. CEO, if you are reading this, that manager is a dick

How is it OP and others fault that the person who works for that scaffolder cant stick up for themselves

That's very sensible - hopefully the majority of employers will take this position.

OP says it isn’t needed. Which is why she’s asked to work from home. She does something in marketing. As it happens her company has now over ridden the manager- work from home.

Pray for me then - I have to wear full PPE on my sites. Hat, glasses, gloves, steel toe caps, legs covered.

Im a H&S inspector & I do really feel for the lads on site. Rules are relaxed as much as practicable but in the interests of safety they have to keep most of it on. All I can advise is hydration, suncream, breaks if needed. They are out in it ALL day.

People who live in hot countries are acclimatised to the heat already.
Their buildings are constructed to keep heat out, not in, like ours.

Schools start earlier, they finish earlier for the summer - mid June instead of back of July.

Can you drive in, or at least drive closer before catching the train? I know parking may be expensive but it might be worth it if you have no other options and taking the train is stressing you out so much!

I’m in the US so temps in the 30s are common but so is air conditioning. Most Americans wouldn’t dream of going anywhere without it in 39 degree weather and I don’t think they’d run trains without AC in that heat!

East Surrey Hospital has just declare a critical incident because they are being overwhelmed by people who have been affected by the heat.

Yes, it will be more important for the nurse to get to work if at all possible, but she will have less work to do if the hospital is not overwhelmed with people who could have worked at home but didn't.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg4j323eq9o

This level of heat forecast for parts of the UK is not normal or healthy!

State of some of these posts though. Dying of heatstroke to own the libs 😒

That's interesting, I have a work event on Thursday. If a rail company has already said this, I don't see how it can go ahead. I doubt they will be the only rail company saying it.

Spot on 😂

Anything other than admit climate change might actually be happening.

We have had 40 degree temperatures once in the UK. Once - and in London.

Therefore the vast majority of people have never experienced anything like it and aren't qualified to comment (experiencing it elsewhere doesn't count - mitigations and lifestyles will be different).

I'd hope people would listen if there was a red warning about wind or thunderstorms, but I know we have similar discussions then as well. For some reason people think risking your neck in bad weather is somehow morally superior. Listen folks, it isn't. It's just stupid.

As H&S inspector can you not just shut the site down?

That’s pathetic

I was about to say that your company is clearly failing in their duty of care but it sounds like someone higher up has some sense! How has your manager responded?

This. It sounds like you think people drop dead in tube carriages at random and it could be you!

Just take an iced drink in a thermos or an ice pack for the tube. It's a small part of your day. The rest of the time you are in an air conditioned office!

I agree I take red warnings seriously, don’t know why this is different from a winter or storm red warning.
im happy I live in Scotland as I can’t cope with it over 25, it’s to be 29 here on Thursday and I’m stressing about that!