Can I demand a Jacket for Outside Work?

[Boosterdq]

Hello all, I don't normally post so please excuse my spelling and grammar!

I work in a temperature controlled environment and it's nice and warm. The problem is I have to often do work outside on a open sided fork truck, this maybe only 1-2hours and not everyday, but my work refuses to provide personal outside jacket. what they have done is given one communal jacket that doesn't fit all and the few who do wear it often smoke with it on!

My question is can I demand a jacket for my self? Or refuse to work outside once the temp falls below a point?

Thanks

[MrPicky]

The jacket is essentially part of the equipment of a company car, the employer should not permit employees to smoke in a shared company car - point this out to them.

If this doesn't work then tie some kippers to your armpits the next time you have to go out, make the jacket uninhabitable.

It won't be as bad for you as you know where the smell is coming from.

Only joking!

[conanius]

If they give coats to the lads who collect trolleys in supermarkets, I think you can get one for driving a fork lift.

My brother had an, interesting, time with his ex employer after he told them several things they provided weren't to the minimum legal spec (steel toe capped shoes that weren't of a high enough standard for use around fork lifts I believe).

There are quite important requirements for driving those things - they can be lethal - so just advise them you need a coat or someone else can go outside.

[Janesy B]

The cold is a hazard so PPE should be provided for this, i.e. a bloody coat. Tight bds.

[ikarl]

Tight as fk, however, in this climate (excuse the pun) people are replaceable unfortunately....get down to your local charity shops and pick up something suitable, it will be worth it in the long run to use your own jacket

[miroku]

Outsiders taking UK jobs? Wonder why!

[Wacky Racer]

Am I missing something here?....can't you just bring one of your own..surely you have one?

Or:- Has it got to be padded/hi viz etc?

If not, personally, I would bring my own or buy a cheap one from a charity shop for a tenner, not worth making a fuss about (imo)

[kev b]

You might fare better with a firm request rather than a demand, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar and don't mark yourself as a troublemaker either,- tall poppies and all that.

Does anyone else feel strongly about the communal coat or are you going to put your head above the parapet alone?

As a previous poster suggested it may be more expedient to supply your own coat, then you can kick off mightily when it inevitably gets borrowed, trashed or lost.

[Boosterdq]

Thanks for the comments guys,
So I had a hi viz coat that I brought when I started 5 years ago but that's now tatty old and worn out, other departments that work outside get jackets but because of out department being mainly inside climate controlled they are refusing!

Others feel the Same and we most have voiced our issue.

Iv not refused or done anything other then ask for a jacket, but want to know where I stand as my super tonight basically told me that if we get refused jackets and don't have one, and it's cold out that if we refuse to go out we will be disciplined

Thanks again guys hope that answers some questions