Posted By fats van den raad
Going along the same lines as previous threads about defeating machine guards etc. What about 'fessing up about those (rare) moments when our illustrious profession (or yourself) got it slightly less than right.

I'll start.Although this wasn't strictly my fault, I still got all the flak for it.

The plant that I worked on (as a newly promoted H&S adviser) had made great progress over the preceding couple of years with regards to decreasing the number of LTA's. Then it happened.... We went 12 whole months without an LTA, the first time ever in the history of the plant. The powers that be congratulated themselves and after much back slapping the decision was made to donate £1000 to the plant for use in a health and safety related way. The safety committee decided that this money should be spent on purchasing and erecting a large "Safety Noticeboard" just outside the plant entrance so we can display things like "Days since last LTA" etc on it. This board measured about 6ft by 12ft and would be mounted on two sturdy, securely concreyed posts. When the engineers came to bolt the board on to the posts, one of them stepped off a step ladder that he was using for access to the top of the board, stepped on an uneven patch on the tarmac, went over on his ankle and was later diagnosed as having suffered a fracture to said ankle. Off work for 6 weeks.
Can you imagine the agonising over what to write in the section "How did the accident happen" obn the HSE report??

Posted By Karen Todd
Health and Safety Officer Falls Down Stairs on Way to Health and Safety Conference:

I was going to a VIP launch of a H&S programme. I saw my boss reverse his car out and wait at reception for me. I was all flustered and rushed down the stairs, in suit and dressy shoes (normally I dress smart casual with sensible shoes/boots) and I was not holding onto the handrail. My foot slid and I landed on my backside and literally slid down the stairs bump, bump, bump.

Thank goodness I had not put my hand out or I could have broken my wrist, but I had put my forearm out (thanks to my martial arts training) and ended up with the whole underside of my right forearm bruised, with 2 lovely huge bruises from the edges of the steps.

I picked myself up and the first thing I did was look to see if anyone had seen me fall, which they had as they were sitting open mouthed (it was quite spectacular). I reassured them I was OK then rushed on out to the car.

I have fallen other times also, including twice on the one building site. I remember lying on the ground, looking up and seeing the steel erector's ladders shaking because they were laughing so hard :( Oh the shame!

Also had a strange incident, where I think others were more embarrassed than me. It was a really hot summers day and everyone on site was half naked (from the waist up). I was not bothered at all and no comment had been made. However, everyone disappeared and reappeared wearing a T-shirt! I wasn't working in safety at the time, I was a project manager and they weren't even my men, so it wasn't even as if they thought, "Oops, here's the safety person, we'd better put our tops on".

Karen

Posted By Derek Rooney MIOSH MIIRSM
When i first got forced into the corner in order to accept the job of safety officer one of my first tasks was a visit from the HSE. The inspector (young lady) hadn't been in the job long and had a look around as they had a call say that our electrics were not up to scratch. Anyway we work in the motor trade, commercial vehicle in fact so we have open pits. At the time out customer parking was at the top of the yard near the vehicle wash area, the wash area had an outside pit - although control measures where in place and at the time a 7.5t vehicle on the pit. After satisfying herself that everything was fine with the premises on her departure she reversed her vehicle out of her parking space noticing that a unit & trailer (about 40ft long) couldn't get round due to the position of her car she decided to reverse a little bit more. Needless to say, the back end of her car ended up down the pit with the drivers door jammed against the pit wall :) so after getting her vehicle lifted out we ended up with an improvement notice for not covering the areas of the pit that were not taken up by the vehicle being washed.

Posted By Laurie
First day (first couple of hours) in new job - actually my first H&S job.

Had just been introduced around, and left on my own in my new office.

Put kettle on (priorities, priorities!) and fire up computer to see what software etc we have.

Funny smell? Computer not been on for a few weeks, dust?

Work for a bit longer, blue haze? Look around - kettle (personal property, not PAT tested of course!)in flames.

Frantic spell of window opening, (not the door you fool, some b****r might look in!) wet cloths, manic table tennis motions near smoke detector etc.

Got away with it, but of course, as a good safety officer, wrote the story up for the house magazine to illustrate the importance of PAT testing!

Laurie

Posted By Hilary Charlton
I was undergoing an internal H&S audit by our parent company and trying my best to look impressive. We were on a factory tour when we got through to the last bay and heard this almighty bang. The forklift operator had managed to demolish the front wall of the factory - there was debris everywhere. No brownie points there then!

Hilary

Posted By Emma Forbes
Have a one......

Went to the local depot to discuss some issues with the men following a huge increase in insurance claims on vehicles. Started to discuss the implementation of a driver assessment and awareness programme when we all watched my car, at first slowly and then gathering speed, tear away down the slight hill into a wall - I'd forgotten to apply the handbrake. Much to the amusement of 20 men! Never have lived that one down and even now I leave the subject of driver training down to my line manager as I can't keep a straight face!