Posted By Billy Hare I am developing a survey form for HSE funded research into worker engagement in construction. One of the areas I am looking at is "input to RA". Based on UK legislation, employers/managment are obviously responsible for undertaking RA, therefore there is a fine line between worker input and worker being left to do his/her own RA. I am sure I remember reading about a case where a company was fined for allowing workers to undetake their own RA, which I want to sight in the research. Has anyone heard of this case?

Posted By Steven Thomas. Concerns after reading this. In my company I have introduced a checklist for working at height (simple tick box layout) this forms part of the risk assessment. I have had a comment from a union rep stating that it is not the responsibilty of the workforce to carry out Risk assessments. the problem being is the amount of jobs per day being carried out.It is not possible to have a supervisor to visit every job.(maintainance of our Housing stock)The idea of the cecklist is to justify the use of ladders if no other means are possible.the employess have a duty towards H&S as well as management The checklist is site based lengh of time conditions etc.could I be getting into hot water if an accident occurred?.would it be classed as reasonably practicable to train every operative in risk assessment as proof of compentcy to tick boxes,how far do we go. Steve T.

Posted By Robert K Lewis Billy I would have thought that the university library has a better access to the Law Reports than most practitioners. Also I think the HSE should be able to open up their database if they are to fund the project. I know at least one instance where the HSE are challenging the worker assessment following a fatal injury to the employee making the assessment during the roadside recovery of a bus. The employees were trained in the industry standard code which states that no part of the body must go under a vehicle until the axle props are in place. The final details of what will happen are determined by the recovery driver as there is no certainty of the precise conditions prevailing at the point of breakdown. It appeared that he placed his head under the vehicle without propping the axles, in an attempt to identify the location of an air leak in the brake system. The HSE are still considering prosecution because the written part of the risk assessment did not specifically apply to the precise breakdown location on a main road - the detail is for the operative to decide. This even though the employee placed warning signs and cones while attending to the vehicle. The written assessment said they were to be considered depending on the location! In the real world all employees must in some way dynamically assess the work they are to undertake and control any deviation from the written assessment; or stop and communicate what they cannot control effectively. The HSE say they support this but I have some serious doubts! Bob

Posted By Billy Hare Thanks for all the responses. I am hoping to test worker involvement with RA as it is logical to assume workers will be best placed to identify hazards, have hands-on experience and see first-hand any changes etc. My original concern was fuelled by the article I remember reading but cannot now find, which is frustrating because I have checked with HSE, the university's resources and other associates before eventually trying this forum. I would be a poor researcher if I had come here in the first instance. Anyway I am sure I didn't imagine reading the article, so if anyone comes across it - or similar, please be so kind to let me know. Thanks again Billy