Geneva: a site in Vessy in the unions crossing

The Sit and Unia unions went to the site of a road on the Vessy set, this Tuesday afternoon, to verify that the directives decreed by the Cantonal Office of the Inspectorate and Labor Relations (OCIRT), the joint business inspection (IPE), the bosses and the workers were well respected.

Result: at 3 p.m. civil engineering workers had not taken the compulsory break every fifteen minutes, as the Meteoatwork application foresees, in the event of hot weather. “We took the temperature, the thermometer indicated 42 degrees in full sun,” deplores Thierry Horner, union secretary to the sit. Imagine that the workers work on the coated of a road. ”

Too flexible application?

According to the unions, the application MeteoAtWorkprovision of construction companies, would have been modified without consultation with the social partners. It provides for gradations, depending on the temperatures and the type of equipment that workers must take.

At 30 degrees, The yellow level Obligns employers to provide gray areas and adapt the pace of work. From 36 degrees, as was the case this Tuesday, the red level commands taking a break every fifteen minutes in the shade and the stop must be counted as working time.

The schedules must also be adapted in the event of a heat wave, starting and ending earlier the day. Since its creation in 2024, according to Sit and Unia, the application would have been adapted by the bosses and several trade subcategories have appeared, weakening its effectiveness.

Confusion in trades

Different types of outfits have been added, going from three to a dozen. Previously, the application provided that in the event of heavy holding the levels were quickly reached. “The workers consult the application but no longer know where to situate themselves, to what category they belong,” denounces Thierry Horner. A vagueness that would allow employers not to comply with directives.

Regarding these modifications, the unions say they were not consulted by the Ocirt: “They were done unilaterally while a tripartite session should have taken place.”

On the Vessy site, visited this Tuesday, a measurement plan was announced last Friday by the civil engineering company to deal with the red level and high temperatures. The unions nevertheless wish to go further in their claims. “The measures must be checked on D -Day and on time by a health and safety specialist at work,” insists Thierry Horner. And to regret that the site manager himself ignored what attitude to adopt.

Consultation would have taken place

Contacted, The Cantonal Inspection and Labor Relations Office (OCIRT) – which depends on the department of economics and employment of Delphine Bachmann – says that the update was made in a tripartite manner, in consultation with unions and employers.

It has thus made it possible to integrate new activities and new sectors in order to be able to best respond to the different situations, “according to a wish expressed by the social partners”.

The Ocirt also notes that Meteoatwork is increasingly used by the construction sector, but also by a large number of other trades.

In 2024, on the occasion of its launch, 1,823 companies affected by work outside in Geneva had downloaded Meteoatwork, including 926 in the construction and parks and gardens sectors.

This summer, there have already been more than 2,500 downloads for June alone, more than its launch.

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