Posted By Paul Leadbetter Simon I would have expected the theme park to have a permit-to-work system to control close access to the rides. As part of that system, I would expect both them and you to lock off the power systems. They want to be sure that you cannot start the ride until they are happy that it is safe to start; you want to be sure that the ride cannot be started while you are in harm's way. Paul

Posted By Stephen Ashton Simon, If it was my neck on the line (literally!), and I had a choice of protective locks - one provided by me with the only available key securely in my pocket, or one provided by the ride operator, with who knows how many spare keys issued to potentially untrained temporary or casual employees - I know which I would prefer to rely on! What is the problem with providing your own locks? In fact, why aren't you insisting on it? At the end of the day, a robust lock, fitted by yourself, is likely to provide more protection than any amount of permit paper! Steve

Posted By Sean Fraser Simon, It is my impression that you have less of a legal issue and more of a customer relationship issue at the heart of this. Legally, the employer has a duty to provide and maintain safe systems of work and a duty towards the safety of everyone on thier premises, including those not in their employ. That means both your employer and the customer have legal duties towards your safety - and you (as with all of us), as an employee, have similar obligations towards safety or ourselves and others. These duties are not in doubt - it is their interpretation that causes problems. Good safety systems don't just come from one direction - they need to be consensual and mutually agreed. If I believe that I have a safety concern, then first I assess the nature and extent of the problem. I determine who has explicit and implicit responsibilities. I explore the possibilities to make the activity safer and concentrate on what I can do since I have the greater control over what I do - I can only really influence the actions of my customers and suppliers, I cannot reasonably have control over them (nor should I want to). I would make what I do the safest possible, and if I really felt the environment I was working in was unacceptably unsafe, I would work to improve it and if that didn't happen, simply refuse to work there. Risk assessment allows me to understand the hazards involved and to act appropriately - it will also provide justification for my actions and reinforce the principles involved. The upshot is - if you feel that the operating environment you work in is unsafe, approach from the area where you have the greatest control to improve it - and that is yourself. Taking that step will act as an example to others and hopefully it will encourage them to do the same. Let your customers know you work to firm procedures and apply best practice to all you do - if they want you to help them improve then you have the basis of a mutually beneficial relationship through open and honest communication. Talk, listen, act - but be prepared to take the lead as you cannot rely on others to do it on your behalf. In the end, who is most responsible for safety?