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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Has the world of health and safety gone mad?
Its illegal to work above the second rung of a ladder without someone footing it - makes it a bit tricky for a lone general contractor to paint fascias....
Are there any seemingly pointless h&s regulations that impact your working life? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Just checked the HSE site......there is nothing to state this anywhere in H&S rules.
You should not use the top three rungs on a leaning ladder. It should be no steeper than 75* and IF using for more than 30 mins you should "consider" alternative access etc.
If using correct ladder/ladder feet there is no need to foot a ladder! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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People often mistake precautions (liability limiting actions) with regulations (lawful duties).
Most health and safety regulations only deal with very serious transgressions. The ridiculous rules that are dotted about, and most often complained of, are usually precautionary measures to take in order to avoid injury or limit liability in case of an accident, or they are measures put in place by employers to limit their own liability or meet their insurance obligations.
Health and safety has gone a bit mad, but we should be precise when we talk about what is actually "against the law."
-Courtney |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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The daft thing is my dad was chair of the east midlands brach of iosh and a fellow of iosh, wrote a city and guilds h&s exam and ran h&s for Leicester college and the number of times I'd see him up the wrong type of ladder, take safety guards off power tools and do diy with blatant disregard for h&s was mind blowing.
Whenever I'd challange him he would say that he had conducted a risk assessment and would mitigate the hazzards by "being careful"! |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
It's to do with money. Contractors lose out on lots of work through damage to their reputation if someone has an accident on their site. Also big compensation claims if someone enters the site (even illegally) and falls down a giant hole for example.
I'm in construction and hold IOSH qualifications- a lot of it is a big arse covering exercise. The second rung thing is overly petty though. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Its a necessary evil I'm afraid. I had to go to college when domestic electrical installations became part of the building regs. in 2006
It became law when a politicians spouse drilled through a cooker cable that was installed in the wrong place. They died instantly and PART P legislation was introduced.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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All I can say in thank goodness for H&S or we would still have kids going under machinery to unblock them. H&S is only there for one reason and that is to make the task as safe as possible. |
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It may seem that 'elf n safety' has gone mad etc but the legislation is usually enacted when several people have died or the cost of caring for the ex workers injured and often left on the scrap heap etc is costing many more times that basic safety measures would prevent such injuries..
accidents, safety events will happen yes but surely each and every one of us deserves the best chance of going home after a days labour rather than being on a slab or a hospital bed..? |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
Yes H&S is necessary- some of the stuff people did back in the day was so dangerous (check out the pics of scaffolders in the 1960s). I remember hearing the story of my grandfather who used to lash two big ladders together with a bit of rope just so he could reach higher roofs.......
Most professional inspectors are quite sensible people, it's when lawyers get involved that's when ridiculous rules start being implemented.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I there anything in H&S suggesting that I shouldn't go up a ladder in a skirt with no knickers?
Do I still have to have somebody below to "foot" the ladder.... if so, where on earth am I expected to find a volunteer..???
 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"People often mistake precautions (liability limiting actions) with regulations (lawful duties).
Most health and safety regulations only deal with very serious transgressions. The ridiculous rules that are dotted about, and most often complained of, are usually precautionary measures to take in order to avoid injury or limit liability in case of an accident, or they are measures put in place by employers to limit their own liability or meet their insurance obligations.
Health and safety has gone a bit mad, but we should be precise when we talk about what is actually "against the law."
-Courtney"
I was asked to paint the inside of a metal vault 4m x 4m the metal paint cost £300 bought it started painting I love the smell of viscose by the way ,painted a quarter of vault got told had to stop as the fumes of paint were a health and safety issue ,so was asked to paint it by same person who asked me to stop and same person who authorised payment for paint !!!!  |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
"I there anything in H&S suggesting that I shouldn't go up a ladder in a skirt with no knickers?
Do I still have to have somebody below to "foot" the ladder.... if so, where on earth am I expected to find a volunteer..???
"
Yes- no bare limbs as it's an abrasion risk!!
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