Unite, the UK’s leading union for passenger transport workers, is calling on bus firms to act immediately to protecting drivers from extreme temperatures over the coming days.

The union will fully support its members who believe that temperatures on buses are endangering workers and passenger safety.

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for parts of the UK as temperatures are set to soar to 40 degrees Celsius, with discomfort exacerbated by high humidity levels.

A red warning is the highest alert level meaning there is a risk to life for everyone in the heat, not just those considered vulnerable such as the elderly or people with chronic health conditions.

Bus drivers, who work in driver cabs that become even hotter than it is outside, are at particular risk. Cab temperatures can often exceed 40 degrees, as glass windows trap heat and create a ‘greenhouse’ effect.

Drivers have also told Unite that their vehicles often remain in service despite air conditioning being broken while some models of buses are only equipped with less effective air cooling systems which take in air from outside and circulate it around and only reduce temperatures by a few degrees.

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, as well as feeling under pressure to complete journeys in time. Bus companies are reluctant to take action, as this involves additional costs.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Every year bus drivers are left sweltering during heatwaves, risking their own health and that of their passengers.

"We know that heatwaves are becoming more frequent but this fact seems to take the bus operators by complete surprise every year.

“Bus firms must stop putting profits before people and act now. This is a problem that is worsening every year and needs urgent attention to keep people safe.” 

Unite has provided drivers with an official letter that they can show their employer when conditions become too hot in drivers’ cabs, informing the company that the driver is stopping work for safety reasons.

Drivers have a legal right to do this under section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. This allows workers to stop work to remove themselves from a position of “serious and imminent danger”.

High temperatures on buses is dangerous as it can significantly worsen driver fatigue, putting bus drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk. Long shifts in the heat can slow drivers' responses and 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 national officer for passenger transport Wayne King said: “Bus companies must listen to Unite and their workforce and do more to protect bus drivers from extreme heat. Every year we have the same problem with heatwaves but bus firms continue to fail to act meaningfully on this issue. Their continued failure puts drivers and the travelling public at risk. It’s totally unacceptable.

“We are supporting drivers to use their legal right to stop work if they become too hot because the bus they are driving doesn’t have an adequate cooling system. While this may be disruptive to passengers, any cancellations of services will be down to the bus companies’ lack of action. It is time they worked with Unite to solve this situation once and for all.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org