The Unite trade union is calling for new legislation to safeguard workers from the impact of extreme weather conditions.
Among the proposals is a statutory requirement for employers to introduce graduated, alert-based responses, with non-essential outdoor work stopping during orange or amber alerts and all non-essential work halting during red alerts, reports RTE.
Unite is also advocating for paid “climate leave” where extreme weather prevents travel to work, the introduction of maximum temperature thresholds at which work must stop, and the legal recognition of temperature-related illnesses as occupational diseases, in line with recommendations from the International Labour Organisation.
“Workers are literally in the eye of the storm, and we urgently need specific legislation and regulations to protect workers from the impacts of extreme weather events,” said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham, reports RTE.
“Workers must not pay the price for a climate crisis not of their making,” Ms Graham said, reports RTE.
Unite today released a policy toolkit entitled “In the Eye of the Storm”, which contains a summary of responses from a survey of Unite members along with a series of proposals aimed at protecting workers’ health, reports RTE.
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In 2018, Unite member Matthew Campbell died while carrying out outdoor work during Storm Ali.
The electrical engineer was killed after a tree fell on him at Slieve Gullion Forest Park near Newry, reports RTE.
Matthew’s father, Mark Campbell, was among those speaking at the launch event today.
“During Storm Ali, our 24-year-old son Matthew was killed by a tree which blew down, crushing him while working,” Mr Campbell said, reports RTE.
“We all know weather events are getting more severe and more frequent. Legislation needs to be updated to protect workers, and we need a consistent approach to this north and south,” he added, reports RTE.
INMO General Secretary and Irish Congress of Trade Unions president Phil Ní Sheaghdha said many workers are unable to work from home when severe weather occurs.
“All employers must be compelled to prioritise staff safety and ensure that workers do not pay the price, financially or in terms of their wellbeing, for extreme weather events,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha said, reports RTE.
The Department of Enterprise said that while there are currently no plans to introduce paid leave for extreme weather events, the Workplace Relations Commission provides guidance on the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees during periods of severe weather.
“Officials of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment met with Unite last year to discuss their proposals and have offered to facilitate further engagement between Unite and the Health and Safety Authority to discuss how to further enhance and amplify messaging regarding extreme weather risks in the workplace,” a spokesperson said, reports RTE.
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