H & S ???? may contain nuts

[jugs]

Just watched an excellent Panorama program on H & S (how sad is that), debunking the british obsession with stupid h&s legislation.
eg
A 2 page clearly written document from Brussels turned into 27 pages of unreadable gobbledygook by the brits.
The reporter went on a 1 day ladder course (£250) is shown climbing a vertical ladder incorrectly & still gets a cert' of competence.
A Medieval church reqd to fit safety rails for 2 steps up to the altar.
The ba...s are having a laugh.

See-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jzjzp/Panorama_May_Contain_Nuts/

Trouble is it makes a laughing stock of the sensible stuff & safety goes out of the window.

 

[series2]

I had to sign a declaration for my employers, stating that I would not sue them if I injured myself making a hot drink, for myself or at the request of another employee. We are forbidden from making hot drinks for visitors to the site, they are however allowed to make themselves a drink if they read and agree to the risk assesment.

At the same time they implemented this, they took away the toaster and the microwave, as it would appear we ar to stupid to use them!

It is an American owned company - Big surprise.

 

[Drains]

Friend of a friend was told he had to fit rails around a loading bay, in case anyone fell off (would have made the loading bay almost useless). He suggested the H and S person went down the railway station to see what kind of handrails they use on the edge of the platforms...

I didn't see the prog (I will), but I do know that HSE "recommendations" are often turned into enforced "law" by H and S professionals. A typical example is the interpretation that ladders are not allowed (I have come across this), when in fact ladders "may not be the preferred solution" to getting to height. Truth is, in the right place, at the right time, and with the right training, ahahaha, a kitchen stool would be fine (mostly for chucking at the nearest jobsworth).

 

[series2]

My first job after I left school was as an apprentice at an electroplaters, This was just before H&S seems to have been invented. I still remember the amended warning on the side of the cyanide copper tank "Warning Cyanide Solution - If ingested call an undertaker"

 

[rtbcomp]

They'll stop issuing guns to soldiers next because they're too dangerous.

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I read something at the weekend about the 'adventurers/explorers' working for the BBC for a documentary...

Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston...they were given pages of rules like not being allowed to use a primus stove, which they'd been doing for years. And Sir Ranulph was given 'arctic training' by someone with about 25% of his knowledge, etc.

Regards
Peter

 

[madkayaker]

some of the stuff you couldn't make up. I work in a college so are HSE up to my eye balls but i go out to visit apprentices i can disappeared for a whole day in my van and not be missed!

 

[monkeyonboard]

In a similar vein, the new buggy I bought recently for our little 'un, had in the instructions

'Remove child before attempting to fold buggy'

 

[zardoz]

The firemen not allowed to stand on a step ladder to change light bulbs, was a classic. Reason given, "you do not have the proper ladder training required"!

 

[Robotstar5]

One of my colleagues used to work for BT and he bought in a copy of the handbook for using ladders - "ladders must be secured at top before use" I wouldn't believe 'til I read it!

 

[madkayaker]

that doe'st surprise me. A student who works for local council was told that when using ladder superviser must foot ladder. Only problem is his supervisor only has one leg!

 

[Hitch]

The firemen not allowed to stand on a step ladder to change light bulbs, was a classic. Reason given, "you do not have the proper ladder training required"!

Of course, it must be quite difficult to change a bayonet lightbulb whilst maintaining three points of contact on the ladder.

 

[madkayaker]

even harder for strip lights

 

[Paul.]

Even Clowns are subject to H&S, here

 

[dazzis]

im deaf and have some balance issues so have to carry my tool kit on the left side, went in a customers recently and was told that i had to use the handrail on the left hand side of the stairs, i explained why i could not do it, had to wait 15 mins for 4 h&s bods to appear who closed off the stairs and escorted me up em as the right hand side was only for coming down.
get this sort of nonsence regularily ,and seem to spend more time lately having site inductions than actually working

Cut myself and asked for a plaster, no you need the first aider then you need to fill out a 6 page form etc, so sprayed the cut with isoalchol, wrapped in a tissue and covered with insulation tape, n said cancel the firstaider, they dint know what to do :lol: