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temperature of hot water |
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| message from Jackie on 14 May 2004 |
Hi does anyone know if there is a legal requirement to limit the temperature
of the hot water coming out of the taps in the toilet at a workplace. I am
used to my 60 degrees C or thereabouts at home and have just started a new
job. Turned the hot tap on and without thinking put my hands under the tap
as was scalded as the water is about boiling point. Luckily no permanent
damage apears to be done (quick relexes). When I mentioned it to the manager
he said I should have been more careful. As I have just started I don't want
to rock the boat but any advice or websites would be helpful.
Thanks Jackie
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| I'mMadMe replied to Jackie on 15 May 2004 |
He sounds like a useless prat.
I suggest drugging his coffee, then, when he's soundly asleep, dragging
him into the women's restroom, and insert a hose down his trousers.
Connect the hose to the hot tap and arrange matters so that the next
person through the door will turn the hot tap on. This would work well
with leverarm taps, but you can improvise.
Later on, ask him what his opinion about hot water is.
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| Richard Savage replied to Jackie on 14 May 2004 |
My office has *very* hot water in the ablebodied washrooms plus signs
warning that the water is hot for hygiene reasons. The disabled
facilities have blending valves limiting the temperature to something
considerably cooler than the other washrooms. I don't think that your
manager can avoid his responsibilities by the means you state.
Rgds Richard
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| Dave Liquorice replied to Jackie on 14 May 2004 |
There are regulations in respect of hospitals/ care homes etc where
the upper limit is 43C, only just hot enough for a bath...
IMHO there ought to be clear and visible warning signs for such hot
water. But I don't know what the legal and/or H&S side has to say. It
would be wise move to have such signs even if they aren't a legal
requirement. A visitor with less responsive reflexes or even nerve
damage that reduces their sensitivity to heat could easyly sue the
company...
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| Aidan replied to Dave Liquorice on 15 May 2004 |
It is recommended that the stored hot water is kept at 60 degC (HSE L8
document, Control of Legionnaires' Disease in Water Systems), at is
dischargede at not less than 50degC within 60 seconds of turning on
the tap, to prevent the proliferation of legionella and other
nasties.
This is too hot for hand washing, but there would only be a duty to
install thermostatic mixing valves at the outlets (i.e., water
discharged at 43 degC max) in a facility used by 'at risk' persons,
the old, very young or disabled. Most places put up 'Very Hot Water'
signs.
If it is more than 60 degC, then they're wasting their money in
making it too hot.
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| Pete C replied to Jackie on 16 May 2004 |
Your employer should install a thermostatic valve (TMV) in the hot
supply to the washbasins to limit the temperature, I doubt that
shopping centres and hotels try to scald their customers.
The other option is to install an undersink hot water heater run from
the cold supply that can be set to the right temperature.
If it's not a small company there should be someone responsible for
facilities management who would get something done about it.
cheers,
Pete.
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| Andy Dee replied to Jackie on 15 May 2004 |
Record you burns in the Accident book.
Consult your Union safety rep.
When the BBC was prosecuted for infecting people with Legionairs
Disease, a lot of companies over-reacted and increased the temperature
of stored water so as to kill-off any lurking legionella.
Andy
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| Dave Plowman replied to Andy Dee on 16 May 2004 |
Strange, given that IIRC the Legionairs came from the air con system.
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Archived message: temperature of hot water (UK D-I-Y House Repairs)
