Bloody insurance companies!!!

[James87]

Wondering if those of you who have workshops that you do panel replacements on vehicles have had similar issues.

Have had a report from our insurer today stating that we must fit Lev through our workshop!! We do alot of work to crusty old Volkswagen's, I consider this to be low intensity welding, I'll tac panels in and then go back to them when cooled. Just myself that does the welding so sporadic at best. Hse guidance states lev where practical and rpe, we have rpe but no lev.

Could understand if we were welding up framework dusk till dawn with a few employees. Anyone had similar or is it just our insurer over reaching?

 

[ajlelectronics]

LEV?

 

[Kram]

Local exhaust vents. Worthwhile I'd say, does it bring the cost down?

 

[m_c]

My employer has just been hammered by the HSE for this, to the point all welding is suspended until LEV is in place.
We're not even allowed to use exhaust extractors, as they're not designed for welding fumes...

 

[8ob]

You cant blame insurers for going belt and braces over proper filtration/ventilation in the workplace, they are the ones that will be picking up the tab when an employee claims for a work related respiratory problem a few years down the road.

Bob

 

[James87]

You cant blame insurers for going belt and braces over proper filtration/ventilation in the workplace, they are the ones that will be picking up the tab when an employee claims for a work related respiratory problem a few years down the road.

Bob

It's only myself that welds and use an air fed whilst doing so, not even sure how I'd get my head, and an lev hood inside a wheel arch and actually have some space to work

 

[Parm]

Drop me a pm and we go from there

Insurance companies think they are in charge......

 

[James87]

Local exhaust vents. Worthwhile I'd say, does it bring the cost down?

Nope, if anything it will cost us more money as will be more equipment to add to our combined policy, still don't understand how lev could be used for our application

 

[DanZac]

Nope, if anything it will cost us more money as will be more equipment to add to our combined policy, still don't understand how lev could be used for our application

If LEV can't be used for whatever reason then your process risk assessment should reflect that and the measures you have taken to mitigate that risk.

Just because LEV isn't suitable for one operation doesn't mean its not suitable for all. It may not be suitable to use a extraction hood in a wheel arch, but for welding up a sill it may well be, and as such each operation may need a different approach.

What your insurance company want to know is that you have assessed all the risks and taken the appropriate measures to reduce that risk to as low a level as you can.

Unfortunately that means a load of paperwork, getting someone involved that actually knows what they are doing and a load of ball ache for you.