Hi Guys.
I'm doing my training at the moment to get my PSV licence but just wana check something.
The coach I'm doing my training in is cosmetically ok but underneath is a bit of a shed! In particular is has no bloody heater!!! Seeing as I'm meant to be down there at 8am tomorrow and the temperature is looking to be around -8°C in Flint in the morning I want to know whether this breaches any health and safety laws! Apart from the fact I'm obviously a TRAINEE in charge of a 12tonne 40ft long coach, having to still have multiple layers, hats, and leather gloves on aswell as shivering my balls off it kinda takes the piss a bit and as a novice in charge of such a vehicle obviously raises saftey issues for everyone else!
The likelihood of them cancelling my training or test is minimal as they've already had their payment and seeing as test is booked thursday need all possible time behind the wheel but I'm less than comfortable out in this weather with no bloody heater!
I see the positive that if I train in this weather then I would be better placed to handle such a vehicle in such conditions alone but something just doesn't feel right.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

There is a H&S law against working in low temperatures (my old boss used to take us out of room, which always got cold in the winter, if it went below a certain temperature).

I suggest you just get on with it, a bit of cold didn't hurt anyone, it's not -40.

Does the blower work, or is there no heat (just cold air?)

The blower works but only blows cold air that jus puts another layer of ice on the inside of the screen! I'm not that trusting of this company as a few weeks back when my training was originally meant to take place I did a morning drive in the coach for 4hrs in -3°C an then the afternoon trainee went out after me and the back n/s wheel came off as they hadn't carried out basic maintainence or checks and the nuts had apparently worked loose over a period of time and had completly knackered the arse end of the coach, they put it in for repairs and I did ask if they were gonas sort the heater out and they just said they were more interested in it being back on the road, it just seems a little wrong that this kind of training costs over £1500 and they don't even do the basic things.

My advice - Man up

My Brother digs graves 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. He also goes in on a Sunday morning to make sure the bins are empty for the visitors to graves. If you wear lots of thin layers then it shouldn't be an issue.

We used to have to work in very cold theatres doing transplants. Some of the operations went on for 11hrs plus and we only wore thin cotton scrubs.

If they thought it was a safety issue then I'm sure they'd reschedule it. They have a duty of care after all.

If you have any concerns about the safety and roadworthiness of the vehicles, then it's your responsibility to voice them. It's not only putting your life at risk, but also those of the public.

It's probably got a blocked heater matrix, do they put just water in the engine or proper coolant? There's also a possibility the lever that switches between cold and hot has broken. I doubt they'll fix it if they can't even put a wheel on properly.

Depending on the type of heater and coach, it can be an electric heater or water (matrix) heater. And there is always the leaver like DavidB said. I have had bus and coach drivers not drive over the heaters not working as cold temperatures slow reaction times.
Also, its a legal requirement that all PSV have monthly recorded checks to VOSA standards and that all records are kept for a few years min. Any doubt, ask to see the records, if non can be shown, you are well within your right to ask for a refund due to safety grounds.