Posted By Paul Swift
It seems trivial, but this issue is causing me a few problems at the moment. Having completed a risk assessment of changing a light bulb (working at height/electrical issues etc), what competence is required for someone to get up the ladder and replace that light bulb? Should they be an electrician of some description, or could someone in my (small) organisation perform the task to a written work procedure. It seems overkill to call in the contracted electrician every time a bulb needs changing, whilst employing people who are more than capable of this simple task but not formally qualified as electricians. Some of these people however have said they need training before they will perform the task.
Is it enough to have a list of staff willing to perform the task who have shown some form of electrical competence, and then have them work to a written procedure?

Posted By Jonathan Carrick
Dave,
Surely the answer to "How many H & S people does it take to change a lamp?" is "none". We will be happy to assist with assessments, etc., but we only advise!

Posted By Hilary Charlton
On a more serious note, everyone has this issue, you are not alone. We get round it by purchasing long life triphosphate fluorescent bulbs and relamping the complete site every three years (approximately 1000). Although it is a lot of expense all at once, we have found that it actually costs us less in the long run because we don't have to call out our own electrician everytime a lamp blows - they don't generally blow between re-lamping periods.

Hope this helps
Hilary