Sirs,
(heres' one for the union reps out there!)
I have been reading with disgust the attitude taken by security to those of you in charge of aircraft (both ground and air crew).
I find it incredulous that you can be trusted with driving a multi-million (pick your currency of choice) aircraft, with several hundred passengers in the back (as close to your life in their hands as I've ever seen), but are not trusted to look after a bottle of water. Also, from some of the posts I've seen, your employer is not providing you with potable water (bottled where it is not considered safe to drinking the water carried on board) after security.
I have just been studying the "Health and Safety at work act" and wonder if anyone has taken their employer to task under the "The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992", which clearly states (Cut and pasted below) :
"Drinking water
22.—(1) An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be provided for all persons at work in the workplace.
(2) Every supply of drinking water required by paragraph (1) shall—
(a) be readily accessible at suitable places; and
(b) be conspicuously marked by an appropriate sign where necessary for reasons of health or safety.
(3) Where a supply of drinking water is required by paragraph (1), there shall also be provided a sufficient number of suitable cups or other drinking vessels unless the supply of drinking water is in a jet from which persons can drink easily.”
This legislation does not appear to apply on-board aircraft, but would appear to apply right up to the aircraft door (i.e. your employer must give you access to “wholesome drinking water” right up to the aircraft door, even after security).
It would depend on the definition of “suitable places”, obviously, it would be impractical to provide a supply of water everywhere, but it would not be unreasonable to ask for a "suitable and sufficient" supply to be placed immediately AFTER security, (or other designated places so it is readily accessible).
Following on from that, it would not be unreasonable to permit you to fill a bottle to take a limited supply around with you post security. i.e. you would probably be able to fill your own empty bottles after security (e.g. from a water fountain, or bottle fed cooler) and take them onto the aircraft.
Now if you cannot take you own past security, and the employer is not providing any between security and the aircraft door, then it appears to me to be in breach of UK law.
The document quoted can be found at
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1992/Uksi_19923004_en_2.htm
Any thoughts?