Health and Safety at Work

[md00071]

QUOTE=artisan;6424991]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/10497716.stm

 

For all you decrying the H&S Laws read this.

At least 200 killed, and many more seriously injured.

This is what happens when H&S is ignored

 

 

Health and Safety is out of control for one reason, and one reason only. The growing industry of no-win-no-fee solicitors and claiming for absolutely anything that happens in the workplace. Large employers run their H&S on the basis that they must be able to mount what's called the "due diligence defence" against claims. A magistrate will expect and employer to take "reasonable steps" to prevent accidents. Such as providing a £1.99 pair of goggles to anyone working where airborne objects or particles may be, or ensuring that it's staff are properly trained to use equipment safely, and that records are kept etc. Most H&S managers will blame the claim-culture in the USA for this. They will cite two instances of mad payouts to claimants. 1. The bloke in McDonalds who sued the chain when he spilled his hot coffee on his lap - the result, cups which say "Warning - Contains Hot Liquid" (deemed a reasonable step to prevent an accident). 2.The woman who sued Toys R Us when she tripped over her OWN child in a store, - the result, signs in doorways reading "Please keep your children under close supervision" (another reasonable step)

 

It's a great shame when you here of schools refusing to send kids on school trips citing the cost of possible legal action if a minor accident occurs. Any parent who tries to claim compensation when little Johnny trips over his shoelaces should be ashamed of themselves.

[PeteMorris]

Yes. And he should stop you, until you've done a risk assesment, and unless that comes out in favour of using a ladder, continue to stop you from using one.

 

A large amount of work traditionally done at height on ladders can be done more safely - either with alternative equipment (e.g. window washing poles) removing the need to work at height, or alternative access methods (e.g. scaff towers) which are safer working platforms than ladders.

 

So what are the regs for the bloke building the scaffold tower? Can he use a ladder?

 

I'm firmly of the opinion that it's the blame / claim culture that has fuelled a lot of the 'barmy' H&S regs, and their application.

[Taekwondo]

Health and safety laws have had some really bad press, banning conquers, plasters and country fairs. Many of these are false.

 

The HSE recently commissioned the Lofstedt report which looked into ways that policy can be changed in an attempt to clarify the rules. Now published it lists many things which need changing

Working at heights is just one of them along with First Aid

[Lab-rat]

It is illegal to use a ladder as a platform to work off.

They are only usable as means of access.

if you want to cripple yourself, no insurance company will cover you.

 

So how much will it be to replace a single slate that come off your roof in your world? Full scaffold up?

 

I've seen plenty of roofers on roof ladders working from them for simple repair jobs!

 

Come to think of it never seen an aerial erector yet on a scaffold tower ALWAYS off roof ladders to the chimney stack!