Heat exhaustion – union sets 27° maximum

17 May 2007

ASLEF is to advise all its members to refuse to work in train cabs where the heat levels rise above 27°C.

The executive committee took this decision today after receiving reports indicating that there were very few agreed arrangements in place to mitigate the risks from heat exhaustion. It is concerned to avoid the position last year when, during the hottest months, SPADs (signals passed at danger) rose by 62%.

General Secretary Keith Norman will advise all Train and Freight Operating Companies of today’s decision by the executive. ‘We will also send out the appropriate legal and Health & Safety advice to all branches and reps – so that they have Irrefutable justification for any action,’ he said.