Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Gavin Taylor
Firstly please forgive my ignorance in these matters!
I have just joined a company that are looking at starting to install solar powered amenity lighting.
It is proposed that the installation will be carried out by two persons.
My first question is is it acceptable to expect two poeple to erecta 4m lighting column manualy? the column weighs approx 35Kg.
The second is that the solar assembly that is mounted on the top of the column would be installed off a tower! bearing in mind that the solar assemble is approximately 20Kg!
I have had a look at the HSE site and am beggining to think that this whole concept is a little bit dodgy to say the least?
Any input would be very gratefully recieved.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Melanie Fellows
This is not an area that I am too familiar with, however....
I'm assuming that your company is employing a company to install so points to consider would be;
Are the fitters competent and trained to do the job?
Has a safe system of work been written and submitted?
Have suitable and sufficient risk assessments been carried out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gavin Taylor
It would be staff that are normally office based (small company!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Melanie Fellows
Then I'm thinking this is a really really bad idea!
No offense to anyone office based (I am myself these days!), but there are so many things that could go wrong - Working at height, correct PPE etc.
Your company sounds like it is trying to do the right thing environmentally, but at what cost to it's employee's??
I understand that people want to help, but there comes a point when you have to ask for the professionals to come in and do the job.
Can't the supplying company install it for you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gavin Taylor
Again you will have to forgive my ignorance on this, but to have someone deemed as competent I'm assuming relevant qualifacations are required?
Not just the fact you have read the instruction manual for the tower/column etc?
Thanks again
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Darren J Fraser
I would strongly recommend that you engage the services of a professional, competent installation company experienced in this particular type of work.
They will be able to provide all the relevant documentation, and resolve any issues that may arise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Nick Lodge
Gavin, Melanie is quite right to be wary. If you have an accident whilst putting this thing up the HSE would have a field day. The top of the assembly weighs 20kg, to be installed 4m off the ground. That would take 2 people to hold and a third to actually install. Competency is generally defined as theoretical and practical training plus experience in the work being undertaken, your office staff may fall a bit short there. You don't say what the ground conditions are where this lighting is to be erected or how the column is intended to be installed - in ground like a fence post or bolted to a hard surface. All I can see is that you are putting yourself in a situation that, should there be an accident, you could end up in court faster than you can say "why on earth did we do it that way". I very strongly suggest you seek further advice from a competent (see definition above) source.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Melanie Fellows
Who ever reads the instructions???
Seriously though, my understanding is "adequately qualified" (to do the task), or "ability" (to do the task). Which is a little furry for my liking.
More recently, competence has been defined as: "The ability to perform activities in an occupation or function to the standards expected in employment".
Reg 7(5) of the MHSWR 1999 says: "A person shall be regarded as competent where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to assist in undertaking the measures referred to in paragraph 1".
So basically, competence is more than a certificate, it is more than just training and more than just experience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gavin Taylor
Thankyou all for your responses.
I think you are all confirming my (albeit amateur) thoughts on the concept.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Jonathan Carrick
Gavin,
If it is "untrained" office staff doing this, you may want to make whoever is "organising" this job aware of this news article from last year:
"Accounts manager sent to repair roof: Last year a member of the accounts staff of a furniture warehouse company was sent by a director to carry out roof maintenance and repairs to the building. Assisted by 3 colleagues he climbed onto and crossed the roof but fell 10 metres through a skylight onto concrete below. He was lucky to escape with only injuries to his wrist. The director was found guilty of breaking health and safety laws for failing to ensure the health and safety of his employee at work. He was fined £500, with £500 costs.
That may provide the necessary "persuasion" you need.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.