Law On Working In Dark Conditions

[loulou111]

I have a new job, working as a cleaner in a cinema. It involves being on my knees cleaning under chairs. The floor is hard and the light is poor you can't see hardly. The space is cramps between Isles. They have not provided knee pads or touches. We have been told to buy our own!. Where do I stand legally on this?. It can't be right surely? I'm covered in bruises from lying on the hard floor to clean as my knees are killing me !

[loulou111]

Sorry about typing mistakes in a rush to get to work

[waterboatman]

They should provide necessary equipment and clothing, like overalls and knee pads, also a torch if required.

[cassa333]

Get another job.

Presumably you knew it was a cinema and that it would be cramped and difficult and that it would involve either crouching and moving in that small space!

I do agree with the previous poster that they should supply you with appropriate equipment and that includes knee protectors and gloves. I would have thought one of those head torch things would be useful as well and presumably a sweep of some sort to root out all the dropped popcorn etc.

[ummmm]

I assume you clean when the cinema is empty so why don't they turn the lights on?

I've had jobs where they've had a dress code but they don't supply the clothes.

Have you got a mobile phone with a torch on it? And you can get knee pads cheaply.

[bednobs]

it is the company's responsibility to provide PPE (personal protective equipment)
however, in my experience, knee pads probably won't help very much, after all you are still having to kneel on them, albeit a bit softer thn the floor, and are rather annoying for the in between times when you are not ctually on your knees 0Rther than pitting yourself against yoru employer, why not buy a cheap head torch (less than a fiver) and some knee pads (less than a fiver) and see if they make a difference first

[douglas9401]

Good to see unwavering support for the workers this morning.
We've come a long way in such a short time.

[Booldawg]

you shouldn't have to buy your own if they are used for work purposes. Pretty sure there is a law that states that.

[EDDIE51]

Can you not just ask where the light switches are and turn them on when you start work?
That is what I had to do when I was a cleaner in a dentists surgery, an office block and in a school.

[bednobs]

i would guess that down beneath/under the seats, it's pretty dark no matter what lights are on!

[ToraToraTora]

you have a right to tell them to shove it. Or you can do it, the choice is yours.

[loulou111]

Wow a mixed batch of answers!. Thanks for replying. There is very minimal lighting that's it. Underneath the seats it's pitch black. When we we do deep cleans it involves getting dust from around screws in seat fittings on the floor, under the chairs. I enjoy my job I just want to kneel comfortably and see what I'm doing. I don't see why I have to provide my own kneel pads or torc
h. It's a basic requirement to do my job. But if there is nothing legal I guess I will have to buy my own.

[EDDIE51]

As you have been told, if kneelers and a torch are necessary to do the job they should be provided.

[loulou111]

I understand that but as we have been told they wont after I emailed head office, I will have to get my own. The money is good it's a job and they are hard to come by. I was after a clear answer about where I stood legally, but no links to show work regarding laws on right to light or protective equipment. So I don't have a choice other than to put things in place myself Eddie, but thanks anyway ! X

[waterboatman]

Here you are loulou.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm

[TonyV]

If you like your job I would buy your own stuff - you should be able to buy to get head torch and knee pads for at most £16 Company should supply them if you want some links will post some even though iit

[Togo]

You could always borrow the usherette's torch, and ask the manager to take the seats out before you go in to hoover up. Oh... and you will need all the steps levelling.

[Tilly2]

I'll ask my dad about the law on working in dark conditions, tomorrow, when I next visit him in hospital.
He worked in the pit for over forty years and has an extensive knowledge of working in cramped conditions in the dark, on his knees. Perhaps he will be able to remember, through his haze of pneumonia and pneumoconiosis. I'll keep you posted.

[tonyav]

The miners used to have a light attached to their hats, Yilly. loulou hasn't.

[Tilly2]

Oh, yeah. I forgot that, Yont. Silly me.

[Tilly2]

.... and a canary that lived, or died. (not on their head though....in a cage.)