Public Employee Press

Your rights when it's cold outside

By GUILLE MEJIA
Principal Program Coordinator,
DC 37 Safety and Health Dept.

At home and at work, when it gets cold outside you have a right to heat inside.

Landlords must provide heat for tenants in single- or two-family homes and multi-dwelling buildings between Oct. 1 and May 31. Under the city Health Code, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. a temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained when it's below 55 outside, and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a temperature of at least 55 is required when it's under 40 outside.

The code requires landlords, janitors or superintendents to have the heating equipment inspected by a qualified person between May and October to ensure that the system can produce the required heat.

On gas furnaces, safety switches, pilot lights and combustion must be checked, because leaks can let deadly carbon monoxide gas into your home.

On electric heaters, safety switches, relay points and connections must be checked. Electric heat puts a big load on circuits, and loose connections can cause wires to burn.

At work, your employer should also bring in qualified professionals to check the heating system, including thermostats, ducts, supply vents, and dampers. Drafty windows should be identified and scheduled for temporary sealing with heavy plastic.

If your work location has a history of being too cold during the winter months, now is the time for the union to inquire about how your employer will address the problem this year. Tell your union rep or local officers about the past problems, so they can put your concerns on the agenda if your agency has a Safety and Health Committee or take other appropriate actions.

There are many ways to deal with a chilly workplace, but staying cold all day is not one of them.