Do staff have to attend work when there is no electricity?

[Trish]

We have been notified that there will be no electricity at work on the 2nd August. Can the employer insist that staff attend, when there will be no lighting, no hot water, no phones, no computers etc. Please help

[ABerrant]

I presume Skyline D is unaware of The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

http://www.opsi.gov.u...ksi_19923004_en_1.htm

[factor-fiction]

I'm not sure skyline is unaware of them. Can you clarify for us which specific part of the regulations are you suggesting would be breached on this day? Thanks

[ABerrant]

"There's no legal requirement to provide drinking water for staff..."

Drinking water
22.—(1) An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be provided for all persons at work in the workplace.
______

"Think about it. How would millions of people who work outdoors get such a thing?"

Application of these Regulations
3.—(1) These Regulations apply to every workplace but shall not apply to—
... [exemptions listed (a) to (d)]
...
...
(4) As respects any workplace which is in fields, woods or other land forming part of an agricultural or forestry undertaking but which is not inside a building and is situated away from the undertaking's main buildings—
...
(b) any requirement to ensure that any such workplace complies with any of regulations 20 to 22 shall have effect as a requirement to so ensure so far as is reasonably practicable.
______

"Nor do they necessarily have to provide hand washing facilities..."

Washing facilities
21.—(1) Suitable and sufficient washing facilities, including showers if required by the nature of the work or for health reasons, shall be provided at readily accessible places.

[factor-fiction]

I'm not sure any of these facilities would be unavailable on this day. For example in the unlikely event no mains water is available bottled water could be provided.

[ABerrant]

I was not querying the availability, only the specific statements as quoted above.

[Trish]

I was not wanting a day paid at home, just wanted to know what rights we have as employees. Our toilets do not even work without electricity. My aim is to convince management to hire a generator which would cost about £50 which the power company has already said they would connect for us.

Thank you for your answers anyway.

[Skyline D]

Ok, hands held up, I wasn't aware of the Regulations particularly. I accept on re-reading it that it came over more as a statement of fact than opinion. Lord knows I've gotten annoyed in the past about people posting financial advice that was just nonsense so apologies for that.

However, I was merely trying to apply some common sense. I doubt those regulations actually apply here given the one day nature and the "reasonably practical" caveat.