Welfare and low temperatures

[BAJR]

But at least...

Provision of mobile facilities for warming up

[Warren]

What's site prospecting? Is that like going out and digging holes randomly until you find a possible site?

The H&S legislation seems pretty vague. At the end of the day, is there a risk to your health and/or safety? The answer is probably only if you are OVER-exposed to adverse weather. The protective clothing thing isn't very meaningful because it doesn't define how it is designed to protects you from harm. A warm jacket might be provided by an employer, for example, but you might not wear it constantly cos you,ve warmed up swinging a mattock - and they might then insist you wear even when it is uncomfortable - much like a hard hat is required even when not being immediately protective. I think your own thermal underwear or lack of them is your own responsibility, not an employer's - as long as H&S isn't threatened (and as long as specialist clothing isn't required). An employer should be able to boot you off site for not wearing appropriate clothing (ie not safe). I think the responsibility should rest on your own shoulders as well the employers.

I believe there should be temporary work stoppages in adverse/extreme weather, but the employer should also be protected from the client denying payment for full working days when staff are subject to such stoppages for a couple of hours of each day. Surely the only way to do that is for temporary work stoppages to be required by law in adverse weather.

I find I can work out in the extreme cold for short periods and feel no ill effects, whilst working for longer begins to numb the brain as well as other parts. That has to be dangerous surely? What appears to be required is some sort of legislation that defines recommended work and stoppage time in "extreme" conditions.

[the invisible man]

Without having one to hand, from memory the standard form of contract (based on the ICE minor works contract which in turn is very similar to construction contracts with which I am familiar... pause for breath) cites "exceptionally adverse weather" as a relevent event - put another way, an event for whci an extension of time can be claimed. The important thing is the word "exceptionally". This means that the contractor is deemed to have allowed in his programme and costings for weather that could reasonably be expected at that time of year. In short, it is likely to snow in winter and almost certain to rain sometimes. What might constitute "exceptional" can be debatable, but actually not very often - as you'd expect, by definition. The recent conditions just might, due to their relative severity and duration - but then again might not, as they are not THAT unusual. If I was still doing that, I'd be inclined to allow something I think. Construction contractors regularly try it on, and equally regularly have the claim rejected.

[troll]

Have been issued with superb kit. Heavy duty pair of boots, fleece-lined jacket,brand new hard-hat, top shelf gloves and some excellent safety glasses that wouldn`t look out of place on ski-slopes. A site hut with radiators would you believe!? decked out with kettle/microwave etc and endless hot water. Toilets for both sexes, regular short breaks and have been through two inductions and taken through a risk assessment point by point. Our driver has been provided with a course on four-wheel drive off road and is a qualified first-aider! Was even issued with pencils and all other stationary! Whatever next?! My, how things have changed.........

[trowelfodder]

Thats really great to hear, maybe things are changing - or was it just that welfare and equipment was supplied by the building contractors :face-stir:

[Warren]

Wow.

I say again...

Wow.



Why is there no icon for eyes popping out of your head in amazement? I guess it just doesn't happen that often!

[Sith]

...A site hut with radiators would you believe!? decked out with kettle/microwave etc and endless hot water. Toilets for both sexes...

Evil though we may be, this is what we specify should be provided in our tenders, because this is pretty much the minimum you should have on site anyway.

By the way, I'm thinking about putting my own thermals on today, because the office heating has been turned off due to a gas leak.

[trowelfodder]

Completely agree, and with the availability of small tow-able welfare units there is no excuse for a lack of facilities on archaeological sites

[the invisible man]

Wake up Troll! It's clear that you've fallen asleep somewhere, possibly in the first stages of hypothermia, and you're dreaming!

Alternatively the bizarre diet you've described elsewhere has induced hallucinations.... or it's poisoned you and you're in archy heaven...

Good to hear that at least some consultants are doing it properly.

[med]

In some parts of the world, archaeology is not a one site/stationary activity. When cold weather strikes (well below freezing) and a crew is on survey - sometimes when it takes hiking over rough terrain to access a work area of hundreds or thousands of acres - "welfare units" are not possible

Troll says:

A site hut with radiators would you believe!? decked out with kettle/microwave etc and endless hot water. Toilets for both sexes, regular short breaks and have been through two inductions and taken through a risk assessment point by point. Our driver has been provided with a course on four-wheel drive off road

...any of which just sounds fictional
:face-stir:
}so with this PPE requirement in the UK, at least there is one thing you can't complain about. You Whoosies!!!}