Ability Forum

[kodakkal]

British Airways’ decision cut down on free water for staff on long-haul flights has prompted strike threats, stressing how important the requirement for employers to provide suitable drinking water is.  

The airline has now reduced the amount of water provided free of charge down to half-litre bottles, with any further water to be paid for by staff personally. However BA’s staff manual recommends that crew members should drink 1.5 litres following long flights to avoid adverse affects of long-haul flying.

British Airways Stewards and Stewardesses Association demanded a meeting with management following the news, but the airline defended their decision, maintaining that the amount of water provided to staff members was suitable.

In UK workplaces, the provision of drinking water is viewed as a basic and fundamental requirement for maintaining employee welfare. Consequently, employers should be aware of their legal obligations when it comes to supplying water.

The supply and condition of drinking water in the workplace is addressed under Regulation 22 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. This, first of all, states that an adequate and wholesome supply of drinking water should be provided to all persons in the workplace.

Every supply of this water should be readily accessible at suitable places, and be conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign where necessary for reasons of health and safety. Moreover, employers should also provide an ample number of suitable cups or other “drinking vessels”, unless individuals are able to easily drink from a ‘jet’ of wholesome water.

The HSE adds that:

    * In the case of non-disposable cups washing facilities should be provided nearby.
    * Water intended for drinking should only be provided in refillable closed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply.
    * Such containers should be enclosed to prevent contamination and refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling).
    * Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water.
    * Drinking water does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of people drinking non-drinking water.
    * Drinking water taps should not be installed in places where contamination is likely, for example in a workshop where lead is handled or processed and, as far as is reasonably practicable, they should also not be installed in sanitary accommodation.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

British Airways’ decision cut down on free water for staff on long-haul flights has prompted strike threats, stressing how important the requirement for employers to provide suitable drinking water is.  

The airline has now reduced the amount of water provided free of charge down to half-litre bottles, with any further water to be paid for by staff personally. However BA’s staff manual recommends that crew members should drink 1.5 litres following long flights to avoid adverse affects of long-haul flying.

British Airways Stewards and Stewardesses Association demanded a meeting with management following the news, but the airline defended their decision, maintaining that the amount of water provided to staff members was suitable.

In UK workplaces, the provision of drinking water is viewed as a basic and fundamental requirement for maintaining employee welfare. Consequently, employers should be aware of their legal obligations when it comes to supplying water.

The supply and condition of drinking water in the workplace is addressed under Regulation 22 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. This, first of all, states that an adequate and wholesome supply of drinking water should be provided to all persons in the workplace.

Every supply of this water should be readily accessible at suitable places, and be conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign where necessary for reasons of health and safety. Moreover, employers should also provide an ample number of suitable cups or other “drinking vessels”, unless individuals are able to easily drink from a ‘jet’ of wholesome water.

The HSE adds that:

    * In the case of non-disposable cups washing facilities should be provided nearby.
    * Water intended for drinking should only be provided in refillable closed containers where it cannot be obtained directly from a mains supply.
    * Such containers should be enclosed to prevent contamination and refilled at least daily (unless they are chilled water dispensers where the containers are returned to the supplier for refilling).
    * Bottled water/water dispensing systems may still be provided as a secondary source of drinking water.
    * Drinking water does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of people drinking non-drinking water.
    * Drinking water taps should not be installed in places where contamination is likely, for example in a workshop where lead is handled or processed and, as far as is reasonably practicable, they should also not be installed in sanitary accommodation.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

[Adverts]