Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 1967)

Article 10 of the Convention. Temperature of premises. The Committee previously noted that the Government was reviewing its guidance on working temperatures. In this regard, the Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that following consultation with the social partners and industry stakeholders, agreement has been reached on workplace temperatures. The Government indicates in this regard that the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, Approved Code of Practice, places a duty on employers to ensure a reasonably comfortable temperature in the workplace, and specifies a minimum temperature in this respect.

Article 6. Inspection. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning the number of enforcement notices issued and the prosecutions undertaken concerning occupational safety and health in general. It also notes the Government’s statement, in its report submitted under the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), that the plan for the reform of the health and safety system introduced a new categorisation of industries, wherein inspection no longer takes place in lower-risk sectors. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information, including statistical data, on the application in practice of the Convention. It also requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the reform of the health and safety system on inspections undertaken with respect to commerce and offices.