Do I need a risk assesment??

[Andymacp9]

Cheers Paul very helpful.

As for ppe, I just find it hard to get them to wear gloves, but I think for professionals it's only an advisory item.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Cheers Paul very helpful.

As for ppe, I just find it hard to get them to wear gloves, but I think for professionals it's only an advisory item.

 

You're very welcomed Andy, glad it helped.

 

Regarding wearing gloves, it is recommended 'good practice', it doesn't have to be chainsaw protective gloves either, and there's a whole range of different ones out there I regularly see used from the yellow, rubberised ("don't go there!" ) ones to the thinner 'Gripper' gloves that have good dexterity so can be used when climbing.

 

When doing ArbAC assesments, particularly during autumn/winter, i.e. cold(er) weather, we do expect to see gloves used and will question the RA process if they're not as they, at the very least, keep hands warmer and reduce the risk of HAVS damage.

 

So, get in their preferences (gloves-wise), as that's often a good starter, i.e. "look guys HSE/AA recommend gloves so which ones do you want to try" (costs isn't usually excessive) and keep banging the "wear them" drum.

 

Good luck and 'warm hands'..warm heart, awwwww !

Paul

[likeitorlumpit]

OK

You are less than 5 on site

Only need verbal RA and to act on it . Your employer should be insisting you do so. Your RA should bring up the non LOLER'ed kit- this means you should get it done unless it's new (I think less than 6 months old) (12 months for rigging)

 

The only thing I would add is that it is your employers responsibility and your insurers will pay out to you though they may sue your employer too. It's mainly his problem though I applaud your concerns.

What I'm saying is that after many years of going through this stuff I have come to the conclusion that employees are protected no matter what.

 

They for their part have to do what they are told regarding safety and they risk disciplinaries should they fail to do so. You could be sacked for failing to do so ultimately. It's your employers responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Thats why you should do as asked. If he fails to do so then his insurance will pay out- thats why EL insurance is compulsory. He though may have further problems in that his insurers may decline further insurance or even sue him.

It's then a whole world of pain for him. You may or may not wish to point this out to him. Many employees keep quiet knowing that RA is a pain. Who in their right mind wants more paperwork.

Shoot me down if you please but this is how it has been explained to me by those who specialise in these matters.