A COUNCIL worker suffered a heat rash so bad medics thought he had been burned.

The worker was hospitalised during sweltering conditions last week because his heavy uniform caused extensive blistering to his legs.

GMB Union bosses are now considering taking legal action against the local authority.

Branch secretary Rhea Wolfson criticised the local authority as she claimed that council staff were turned away from the city chambers when they went in to ask for water.

Ms Wolfson said: “The staff member who was hospitalised has what look like very serious burns all over his legs.

“We’re looking into legal action. We’d like the council to have a sensible conversation with us.”

When the worker was taken to hospital, doctors initially thought his legs had been burned as the rash and blistering was so severe.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “Staff are given advice on how they can work safely outside on hot, sunny days and we also look sympathetically on safe uniform changes.

“We’re happy to discuss any issues.”

The council said last week that all staff members could access drinking water at any local authority-owned building.

But Ms Wolfson claimed that staff who work outdoors are not able to use water machines.

She said: “Questions have to be asked about which workers have a high enough status to use the water.

“It’s all well and good saying they can go into council-run facilities but some of our workers, when they went into City Chambers, were knocked back.

“It’s just unrealistic to suggest the council would be happy with our workers coming into museums throughout the city to ask for water.”

News of the possible legal action comes after a Freedom of Information request found that council chiefs have spent £186,631 on water dispenser bottles since 2014.

Last year, the local authority £45,345 on water bottles, compared with £24,095 in 2014/15, £60,787 in 2015/16 and £48,702 in 2016/17. Already this year the council has spent £7,702 on the water machine dispenser bottles.

On the amount of money spent on water dispenser bottles, the spokesman added: “The council operates from a varied estate of buildings and sites – with equally varied facilities.

“Where buildings have staff kitchens or tea rooms, drinkable tap water is available and standalone water dispensers generally aren’t widely installed.

“In many other buildings, including the city chambers, where such facilities are not readily available, plumbed-in water dispensers with no bottle are in use. Where bottled water dispensers are installed, the bottles are not typically single-use plastic and are returned to the supplier for refill.”

The council spokesman also said they had no knowledge of staff being turned away at the City Chambers.

He said: “Staff have access to water and can carry it with them. If they need to refill bottles, they can access fresh water at council premises.

“Supervisors have been reminded to ensure frontline staff receive sufficient breaks during their working day to help them contend with the high temperatures – and staff have also been given advice on how to work safely on hot, sunny days.”