HSE visit!

[brightspark]

i was working at a loading depot fixing yard lights the gaffer came out and said u have to finish in yard by 3 pm .all the wagons were lined up and I heard this roar of engines next minute 2 forklifts flew round the corner it was like wacky races I've seen nowt like it they were even sliding on the wet concrete bombing off for another load you wouldn't even dare run across the yard

 

[ratherbewindsurfing]

The HSE can only charge a fee if they have to notify you in writing (improvement notice, prohibition notice or a letter) of a material breach in H&S law.
Have they?

 

[Pete.]

Last year I had the company of two inspectors for the afternoon, not investigating me btw I was a witness for them. They told me that they rarely do 'random' visits to construction sites because their workload is too high. Most times they visit are because either someone either on site or neighbouring to it has called them, or they have passed-by a site and seen something they didn't like, or because they spot a contractor they have regular dealings with.

 

[pedrobedro]

When I was working in factories there was always a proviso on HSE recommendations that anything they suggested had to be financially viable, does that still apply ?

 

[Pete.]

Cost can be considered under 'reasonably practicable' yes but if you do nothing or just the barest minimum and offer up cost implications as your only reason you're not going to find the inspector sympathetic especially if your workplace is generally disorganised anyway. I drive my guys mad sometimes on site by making them stop and clear up, tidy leads and hoses but it really does make a difference not only in the impression you make on the client but you find the work runs smoother, quicker and safer and less stuff gets damaged too.

 

[vwmark]

We had quite a few minor things which add up in money value. One thing that came up is that you cannot brush up sawdust. Must be vacuumed up!

The forktruck is the difficult one. It's a very old site. Up and down in gradient with multiple sheds so total segregation is impossible!

 

[brightspark]

I got collared a few month ago working on a large open carpark wiring the lights up by hse . not wearing a green high vis jacket and there was a machine on site fair enough but wasn't going to put safety helmet on because I was sick of banging me head on the smallish deep mains cabinet and knocking my already bad neck . ok they said

 

[lchris21]

Last place I worked had segregated walkways and 3m rule when the truck was maneuvering in the loading yard. As highlighted its surprisingly common, FLT accidents, and I would not like to be on the receiving end of one especially some of the driving I've witnessed

 

[Pete.]

We had quite a few minor things which add up in money value. One thing that came up is that you cannot brush up sawdust. Must be vacuumed up!

The forktruck is the difficult one. It's a very old site. Up and down in gradient with multiple sheds so total segregation is impossible!

There is a 'ban the broom' drive going on right now. It's madness IMO because you can prevent dust and use a broom but they are going for the easy option. At least one main contractor has already banned brooms completely. How can you use a hoover on a demolition site?

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Best H&S officer quote.
Bit of back ground. and
I was invited along with a H&S officer to a machine and engineering shop to carry out a Fire risk assessment.
We were about to enter the Media blasting shop. Our First place to call.

The shop manager said to the H&S bod.

"You can't come in here"

H&S. "yes I can I am H&S, I can go anywhere I want. If you don't let me I will close this place down."

Manager. "Yes, you properly can, but you can not come in here.

H&S. You don't get it. I am H&S. I can go anywhere I want at any time I want. You will let me in NOW!!!. or I will have this placed closed"

Manager. "Yes, you said that, I get that. But you can not come in here."

H&S. "Unless you give me a legal, valid reason why I can not entre this space in the legal execution of my duties I will have your job and this place closed, do you understand me? This is your last chance to let me entre."

Manager. (I was trying not to laugh) " You are not correctly dressed in PPE, my receptionist told me you pulled the "I am H&S" on her. Like you just did to me. So you can go away and get the correct PPE and carry out a site induction"

Oh Hi TYA, how's are you, nice to see you back.

 

[winchman]

I don't fully agree, I was their point of contact at the Nuclear training facility and I am afraid I was not impressed with their knowledge on a lot of safety aspects where high risk areas were involved, I had to stop them placing themselves at risk in certain areas more than once.

In fairness the level of knowledge required was I think above the norm but if you are going to inspect a hazard then you must know about the hazard as far as I am concerned.

In the more 'normal' workplace then yes you probably have a good point.

LOL well we can agree and disagree at the same time!.
I have had a visit from a specialist and they did know the subject well, but I take your point they can't know everything, but a visit should show you have the basics right.
The problem I see is many people still haven't a clue about safety or how they can be legally obliged to deal with it.

 

[Shox Dr]

There is a 'ban the broom' drive going on right now. It's madness IMO because you can prevent dust and use a broom but they are going for the easy option. At least one main contractor has already banned brooms completely. How can you use a hoover on a demolition site?

Crazy, nothing worse than a clogged vac, blowing dust everywhere

However it amazes me how some haven't a clue how to use a brush

 

[brightspark]

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=triggers+brush+scene:laughing:

 

[Badger1bear]

Best H&S officer quote.
Bit of back ground. and
I was invited along with a H&S officer to a machine and engineering shop to carry out a Fire risk assessment.
We were about to enter the Media blasting shop. Our First place to call.

The shop manager said to the H&S bod.

"You can't come in here"

H&S. "yes I can I am H&S, I can go anywhere I want. If you don't let me I will close this place down."

Manager. "Yes, you properly can, but you can not come in here.

H&S. You don't get it. I am H&S. I can go anywhere I want at any time I want. You will let me in NOW!!!. or I will have this placed closed"

Manager. "Yes, you said that, I get that. But you can not come in here."

H&S. "Unless you give me a legal, valid reason why I can not entre this space in the legal execution of my duties I will have your job and this place closed, do you understand me? This is your last chance to let me entre."

Manager. (I was trying not to laugh) " You are not correctly dressed in PPE, my receptionist told me you pulled the "I am H&S" on her. Like you just did to me. So you can go away and get the correct PPE and carry out a site induction"

Oh Hi TYA, how's are you, nice to see you back.

The health and safety officer has the right to opt out of wearing a hi viz vest if they so wish. I pulled up the health and safety officer before they entered our site and told them they could not come in unless suitably dressed to which I was informed they do not have to wear one if the don't want to.

Do as I say not do as I do

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

H&S have to comply with site safety rules.
A lot will tell you they don't.
But, if the opt out, all work must stop.
It is one thing what was drilled into us on the training I did.

Visiting a site you must comply with their safety procedures.

If visiting a site for an investigation after an incident they still have to comply. But can close down an area and do away with certain safety clothes.

If they need to use specific safety gear. Breathing mask are a good example, they must be confident in the use.

 

[Pete.]

Not on my job they don't rules apply to everyone I've stopped my own company staff going on.

Years ago I was working on the old home office building at Queen Anne's Gate. There was a royal wedding on and because it overlooks the palace the cops wanted to set up a post on the roof. The main contractor made them all sit through a full site induction and wear PPE on their visit, though they made them a special access route for the actual day

 

[Drains]

H&S have to comply with site safety rules.
A lot will tell you they don't.
But, if the opt out, all work must stop.
It is one thing what was drilled into us on the training I did.

Visiting a site you must comply with their safety procedures.

If visiting a site for an investigation after an incident they still have to comply. But can close down an area and do away with certain safety clothes.

If they need to use specific safety gear. Breathing mask are a good example, they must be confident in the use.

A H&S inspector does not have to comply with any site procedures at all. They're not employees and not under the control of the site and under the law I work under, we have the right to enter any place of work in New Zealand (except we have to be invited into residences). Saying that, entering an area without wearing PPE which will keep us safe is stupid. It's also a good idea to set an example, and play the political game. We can still choose not to wear PPE, but our manager might want to have a wee chat with us after.
Stopping an inspector from entering anywhere on a site is obstruction. We are a law unto ourselves!

 

[ukracer]

A H&S inspector does not have to comply with any site procedures at all. They're not employees and not under the control of the site and under the law I work under, we have the right to enter any place of work in New Zealand (except we have to be invited into residences). Saying that, entering an area without wearing PPE which will keep us safe is stupid. It's also a good idea to set an example, and play the political game. We can still choose not to wear PPE, but our manager might want to have a wee chat with us after.
Stopping an inspector from entering anywhere on a site is obstruction. We are a law unto ourselves!

it is however a legal requirement to be responsible for your own safety and that of anyone else in a work area and as far as I know the generic make up of an h and s inspector does not mean they have steel skulls for example.

 

[cumbriasteve]

My funniest event was during an inspection, the guy was actually ok and very helpful until we came to a locked room that held the radioactive sources, nothing actually dangerous as such but still had levels of radiation that could be detected quite easily within a metre or two if exposed and a fair amount of legal conditions for handling and storage etc.

When I informed him I would have to complete a quick safety awareness brief with him he seemed to get the hump and gave it the I am H&S and as such....etc etc

So I unlocked the door, pretending to shield myself behind the wall and opened it wide with the words 'in you go and I hope you were not planning on having kids in the future' it's amazing how fast the human body can retreat when it want's to.

 

[brightspark]

The health and safety officer has the right to opt out of wearing a hi viz vest if they so wish. I pulled up the health and safety officer before they entered our site and told them they could not come in unless suitably dressed to which I was informed they do not have to wear one if the don't want to.

Do as I say not do as I do

is that so not when there's machinery running round the site . I would have chased them or nearly ran them over stating I hadn't seen them .on a council revite I wouldn't let them upstairs as most of the floorboards were up with nails sticking out. said it was for there own safety and I had tape across the stairs