Posted By Gail Pannell Hi, Can someon please give me some advise on the following as I am a bit confused. my workplace has a self-employed individual with mental health problems that we wish to give additional work to this work would consist of cutting carpet samples at his home with a drill that we have aided in the development of but he would purchse himself. I understand that there is a moral issue which would require us to ensure that he understood how to operate this equipment safely. But can anyone advise me on the legal requirments relating to this

Posted By jackw. Hi, there have been a couple of recent threads on this so you might wish to check back. A LA in Scotland we have had to deal with this as we have a number of staff going into houses for a variety of reasons. Most notably home care staff from our social work department who have to visit the same place/person on a regular basis. We can't demand no smoking in private dwellings. We have written to every client requesting that no smoking takes place whilst our worker is in the house and not to allow smoking and vent the house 30 mins before they arrive. If they do not comply with this request a manager will visit and explain why the request was made (duty of care etc.)and make the suggestion that service could be reduced. Of course the last form of action is difficult as many of the services are of a statutory nature and thus difficult to withdraw and can you image the outcry, bad press etc. if we refused to go out on child protection work because the house was "smokey"? They would hang us. We also try to protect more vulnerable staff - asthmatics, pregnant women by NOT sending them into smoke filled houses. Not sure there is much more we can do hope this helps

Posted By Mitch Have you considered a Flypress as an alternative to a drill?

Posted By Tabs Gail, I am a bit more worried when you mention the ceiling light description - this sounds like what is called a "tank cutter" (for cutting holes in water tanks etc) on a hand-held drill... If it is a hand-held tool it is difficult to make it intrisically safe - it the drill is a machine (pillar drill) it is relatively simple to guard the cutting area. Remember that I wrote that it has to be safe in all circumstances - therefore one has to look at what his abilities are.

Posted By Gail Pannell Hi, Thank you all for your help and advice I have just advised my managers that it would be preferable if this work could be carried out in a controlled environment or that an alternative piece of equipment be used. Thank you all !!!