- The union's Fight Fatigue Now campaign calls for solutions as
high temperatures put drivers and the public at risk
Unite, the UK's leading union in passenger transport, is calling
for urgent action to protect London bus drivers as the capital is
currently experiencing a heatwave, which is seeing highs of at
least 30 degrees Celsius.
Heatwaves can heavily impact driver health and wellbeing and
exacerbate the already dangerous problem of bus driver fatigue.
During hot weather, the temperature inside driver cabs becomes
even warmer than it is outside. Cab temperatures can often exceed
40 degrees, as glass windows trap heat and create a greenhouse'
effect.
Meanwhile drivers have expressed concern to Unite that some
buses, including newer models, remain in service despite air
conditioning being broken while some models of buses are only
equipped with less effective air cooling systems.
High temperatures can significantly worsen driver fatigue,
putting bus drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk. Long
shifts in the heat can slow drivers' responses, diminish
concentration, as well as cause dizziness and an increased chance
of fainting at the wheel. Meanwhile many drivers avoid drinking
water as they do not have proper access to toilets, leading to
dehydration.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "For too long London
bus drivers have suffered from the effects of high temperatures
while TfL and bus companies have failed to act. It is absolutely
unacceptable.
Every year we have the same problem during hot weather and yet no
progress is being made to protect workers.
This is a serious problem that risks the safety of drivers as
well as millions of Londoners. It requires immediate, decisive
action, which Unite will not stop fighting for.
Many newer London buses are equipped with air cooling systems,
which takes air from the outside and circulates it around, as
opposed to air conditioning which actively chills air using
refrigerants and is more effective. Air cooling systems can only
lower temperatures by a few degrees, meaning buses and driver
cabs still remain too hot.
Drivers regularly report that air conditioning is often faulty
and doesn't reduce the air temperature.
One driver said: "There is poor maintenance of buses. Heating and
air conditioning never works, if it does you can't control to
individual needs."
Another said: "In the hot weather, the cabs can get
unbearably hot and stuffy. It is not good for our alertness and
health, as well as our customers who are suffering as well."
If air cooling systems or air conditioning on buses are not
working properly then vehicles should not be taken into service
and bus drivers should be able to state this without fear of
repercussions from their employer. However, bus drivers fear
being disciplined or losing pay if they complain they are often
under pressure to finish journeys quickly and have to do overtime
if they experience delays, which further intensifies fatigue.
As part of the Fight Fatigue Now campaign, Unite is calling for
fatigue management to be introduced into London buses, for
example for employers to stop disciplining drivers who say they
are fatigued and clear rules for drivers who currently have to
drive the bus in heatwaves with no air con.
Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said: "While TfL and the
bus companies claim to have protocols in place for managing
driver health and safety during heatwaves, it is clear these go
nowhere near far enough.
"They must work with Unite to find meaningful solutions to this
problem and ensure drivers are not disciplined when they speak up
about a bus needing to be taken out of service as it is not fit
to operate in high temperatures. If this does not happen as a
matter of urgency, drivers and the public will remain at risk."
ENDS
Notes to editors
Unite recently launched its Fight Fatigue Now
campaign, which is calling on TfL, London mayor and employers to act on the
issue meaningfully.
Unite's demands include:
- Introduce fatigue management into the TfL buses, for example
stop disciplining drivers for fatigue, and agreements for drivers
who currently have to drive buses in heatwaves with no air-con.
- Establish consistency across scheduling and rosters, such as
a minimum of 12-hour breaks between duties and consistent start
times to combat fatigue.
- Improve rest, toilet and welfare facilities. Unite's poll
found 52 per cent of London bus drivers had poor facilities at
work, and some drivers still have breaks by the side of the road.
