Smealth and hafety uk

[Dak]

A pet hate in our industry aswell as many others, for example I know a fire fighter who says some laws cost more lives than they save!

 

Being self employed does it give me the choice to say screw the chainsaw boots and opting for scarpas for example, when in my opinion it's safe, I.e big wet beech, doing a reduction mainly silky work but obv want better grip when using topper!

 

And climbing on my own splicing, can I write myself a disclaimer and take full responsibility for my actions!

 

Then how would this work with insurance too, they'd blame me not having protective boots for me closing my hand in the door!

 

You get my drift but it does my nut! Any thoughts on the matter?

[likeitorlumpit]

does all our nuts

H&S are the new unions- there to stop exploitation of the workforce but actually rule out common sense application of your knowledge and ultimately your responsibility.

Just wish staff could when necessary opt out (and I know thats what they often would like to do)- I know it will never happen but you gotta dream

[Mortimer Firewood]

IMO You are your own health and safety officer you know what your limits are and if you decide to push them and it all goes Pete tong its on your head . But on the other hand i have worked with people who have no common sense and need someone to dictate what they can and cant do .

[Rob D]

Depends how you work - if you're in charge of a team of other people you have to lead by example and tow the red tape whatever it may say.

 

If by yourself and with a trusted other person then I think you do your own risk assessment (mentally not written) and make decisions you feel are safest and suit the situation.

[PhilBeech]

Self employed = do what you want / abide by clients regulations.

 

Employees = abide by employeers rules and watch out for colleagues.

 

Employer = duty of care to employees, enforceable in law if it went tits up.

 

If you think its safer to wear Scarpas in the rain and your employees agree then do a risk assessment and a tool box talk and crack on.

[Adam Bourne]

Being self employed does it give me the choice to say screw the chainsaw boots and opting for scarpas for example, when in my opinion it's safe, I.e big wet beech, doing a reduction mainly silky work but obv want better grip when using topper!

 

Maybe your risk assessment should tell you not to climb the slippery wet beech and do something less of a hazard, return when drier .....just a thought,

 

my old company before it was taken over was HSE crazy crossed his t's dotted his i's on every page, and looked after his staff before his wallet,

there is no such thing as common sense no more giving what you think is safe a whole new meaning.....

 

this does not mean we don't use our common sense any more but we just bend the rules a little, being freelance means i sometimes work for firms with no qualified staff, maybe i shouldn't according to HSE... BUT being extra safe and using my common sense means everything to me, at the end of the day its my decision and my call if the jobs a go or not......

 

if you feel the different boots will help then go ahead IMO i can't see how they would....risk assessments written on paper or done in your head are there for our own good.....

[Dak]

Maybe your risk assessment should tell you not to climb the slippery wet beech and do something less of a hazard, return when drier .....just a thought,

 

my old company before it was taken over was HSE crazy crossed his t's dotted his i's on every page, and looked after his staff before his wallet,

there is no such thing as common sense no more giving what you think is safe a whole new meaning.....

 

this does not mean we don't use our common sense any more but we just bend the rules a little, being freelance means i sometimes work for firms with no qualified staff, maybe i shouldn't according to HSE... BUT being extra safe and using my common sense means everything to me, at the end of the day its my decision and my call if the jobs a go or not......

 

if you feel the different boots will help then go ahead IMO i can't see how they would....risk assessments written on paper or done in your head are there for our own good.....

 

Boots and wet beech where simply two examples bro,

 

Stuff like ce marks on splices and en numbers for ropes, what's to say a beal access rope can't be used cause it's not en1891? Marked but chaps doing other rope work can!

 

It's nuts!!! Would all this change if we left the eu?

[Dak]

But yes to all common sense is our number one weapon!

[Adam Bourne]

Boots and wet beech where simply two examples bro,

 

Stuff like ce marks on splices and en numbers for ropes, what's to say a beal access rope can't be used cause it's not en1891? Marked but chaps doing other rope work can!

 

It's nuts!!! Would all this change if we left the eu?

 

 

can really see what your saying and i do support you views, but were never gonna change whats now legal requirements, thats like saying we could get petrol down to a £1 a litre ............right ooooo.

 

i use stuff thats not CE marked i know of 3 climbers that use a harness thats not CE marked and 2 of them work for an AA approved firm....how they get away with it i don't know.....its like when you have you kit LOLER inspected, i wonder how many people put the stuff that failed back in there kit bags.....

 

we all do things we should not but we always look at the risks....or at least we should do.....

[muldonach]

...........

 

Then how would this work with insurance too, they'd blame me not having protective boots for me closing my hand in the door!

 

You get my drift but it does my nut! Any thoughts on the matter?

 

I have no special knowledge of the insurance industry but the general rule is "once uninsured always uninsured"

 

As an example a ship which leaves harbour overloaded and has a fire is not insured.

 

A car with too low a grade of tyre on is not insured irrespective of speed involved in an accident (or so I am led to believe).

 

Not too sure about being uninsured for having the wrong type of boots on if you shut your hand in the door though!

 

Cheers

mac