PPE At Steel Suppliers

[Slim Shady]

Okay so my steel supplier, has lads about 24 - 35 years old working in the sheds, now say if I want somethink cut its no problem. Out the fella comes with the steel and grinder. He tugs the grinder by the cord, squints and starts cutting. This has really started to bug me lately because these lads don't give a crap. So I cooled down and went to buy more steel this week for a job. I came in the truck, but as I was loading it with box section the fella about 2 meters away started cutting square bar(no ppe of course) but the grinder jammed and fired the steel a good 5 meters missing everyone, thank god. I went in to pay and told the lad at the desk what happened, he didn't care. Out I go into my truck and he is at it again. No ppe at all. Its the same with their oxy fuel kit and welder. No flashbacks or head shield, just squint. This gets my blood boiling. Just wanted to know if any of ye had the same problem.

 

[cazl1994]

im suprised but we've all squinted from time to time

 

[Welderpaul]

On the odd ocassions we pick stuff up from our main supplier they are pretty good, hi vis, hard hats, glasses etc. Make any visitors wear the same if they go in the sheds. Proper walkways to follow around the yard.

They didnt used to be like that, a lot didnt wear boots, never any ppe. They had a visit from the HSE a few years ago and got a prohibition notice which seemed to make them wake up a bit. They have spent a few quid smartening the place up a bit as well. They used to allow people to cut stuff up themselves with grinders but thats stopped after the bosses car got showered with sparks meaning 2 new windows and a respray job.

 

[tux]

May be worth having a word with the HSE. There is NO excuse for being that lax, expecially not these days. We've all taken the odd risk, but it seems these guys are doing it as a matter of course.
I've worked in and around the building industry for over 20 years and seen too many people come unstuck. Its too late once its happened.
Do them a favour before one of them gets hurt.

Sorry to seem like a misery, but you just cannot play with safety like that.

 

[rtbcomp]

May be worth having a word with the HSE. There is NO excuse for being that lax, expecially not these days. We've all taken the odd risk, but it seems these guys are doing it as a matter of course.
I've worked in and around the building industry for over 20 years and seen too many people come unstuck. Its too late once its happened.
Do them a favour before one of them gets hurt.

Sorry to seem like a misery, but you just cannot play with safety like that.

hear! hear!

 

[Slim Shady]

May be worth having a word with the HSE. There is NO excuse for being that lax, expecially not these days. We've all taken the odd risk, but it seems these guys are doing it as a matter of course.
I've worked in and around the building industry for over 20 years and seen too many people come unstuck. Its too late once its happened.
Do them a favour before one of them gets hurt.

Sorry to seem like a misery, but you just cannot play with safety like that.

I'v tried but they told me they will look into it. That was about 8 months ago

 

[rtbcomp]

Write them a letter or even an Email, if only to cover your own back.

 

[Hitch]

The ones we use are Vis vest and hard hat all the time, marked out walkways, no hot works without permits, confined spaces permits.....

As for cutting your own material there, thats a no go, not even with hand tools. Even for us its a no, let alone the public. That way they can charge £5 a cut.

Never seen them cut anything with a grinder

 

[pedrobedro]

My local supplier will cut for you on a cold saw, no grinders but I take my steel out into the car park and cut it with a hacksaw if it's not too big and they don't mind that.

 

[michael1703]

Okay so my steel supplier, has lads about 24 - 35 years old working in the sheds, now say if I want somethink cut its no problem. Out the fella comes with the steel and grinder. He tugs the grinder by the cord, squints and starts cutting. This has really started to bug me lately because these lads don't give a crap. So I cooled down and went to buy more steel this week for a job. I came in the truck, but as I was loading it with box section the fella about 2 meters away started cutting square bar(no ppe of course) but the grinder jammed and fired the steel a good 5 meters missing everyone, thank god. I went in to pay and told the lad at the desk what happened, he didn't care. Out I go into my truck and he is at it again. No ppe at all. Its the same with their oxy fuel kit and welder. No flashbacks or head shield, just squint. This gets my blood boiling. Just wanted to know if any of ye had the same problem.

is the place near croydon as it sounds like the place i worked

no ppe, an alcoholic fork truck driver that had the shakes until his hour long lunch session in the pub, machines spewing cutting oil everywhere, numerous trip hazards,3phase wires hanging out and laying in a pool of coolant etc etc