FB is blocked at work so cannot join in ;-(

Hello Victor 'Isn't it about time individuals took on responsibility for their own health & safety?' Yes it is. Most workers and employers seem quite happy with 'reasonably practicable'. However it seems that many organisations also have those needy few who will never be satisfied no matter what is done for them and are prepared to complain and claim at every opportunity. You can tell I've had a good day!

From IOSH post on FB Quote - IOSH "Last night, ideas factory Tom Pellereau won Lord Sugar’s £250k business start-up injection on The Apprentice. His creativity won him the prize, rather than his business plan for developing an ergonomic office chair that corrected back problems. Although Lord Sugar knew his health and safety responsibilities, he was quite dismissive of the value of the invention and his responsibility for employees’ back care."

Sorry I have to disagree with Victor Meldrew. 1. Employees do not choose to spend all sitting in front of a PC, it‘s their job and the employer has told them to do it. 2. Sitting in front a PC all day can cause significant health risks. 3. Therefore it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that the risks to their employees is minimised, they do this by doing a risk assessment and then applying suitable controls. 4. I they don’t then they are liable for criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Look at http://www.humanetechnol....co.uk/wruldii/intro.php for a list of DSE type cases going back to BEFORE the DSE regs even came in, rather they were done under the general duty of care that exists in common law. This is the current system and overall it strikes the right balance of responsibility, with the bulk resting on the employer since they are in the position to do something about it.

In some respects I do agree with Victor Meldrew (I'm a grumpy old man sometimes!) I also disagree with some of A Kurdziels comments... for instance many employees actually DO choose to sit in a chair in front of a PC for most of the day. That's the job they apply for after considering what the job entails etc. I also agree though that employers are in a position to ensure employees take adequate breaks in their routine and the correct measures that make DSE type work a healthier option but to invest in such expensive devices would likely put 'SFARP' into a backseat role and in this time of tightening financial belts to stay in business may be offputting to the senior management?

MB1 Yes so some people ‘choose’ spend all day siting in front of a PC just as some 'choose' to work on a building site or 'choose' to work with nasty chemicals or at height. Are you saying that it is their responsibility to manage their own H&S not the employer’s? There is a tendency for this forum to be caught up in the 'butch stuff': building sites, machinery etc and regard the DSE, stress etc as a bit 'girly' and not ‘real’ Health and Safety.

teh_boy I never said anything about COSHH, HAVs or Noise, all issues that require specific knowledge and expertise. Besides the best chair/device/tool in the world isn't going to guarantee 'they'll' use it correctly and as a previous respondee has mentioned, in these difficult times....... costs......SFARP

Are we now suggesting that the current (sometimes high cost) equipment that is adjustable to most build of people is not adequate and companies should be investing in likely more expensive seating devices (Tom omitted the word 'chair')?

I think we should all be allowed to do what ever we want at work. There is a thunderstorm on the way and I intend to let my staff stand outside smoking, holding umbrellas whilst sniffing correction fluid ( for which I have not done a CoSHH assessment ). I think Alan Sugar's comments were basically correct - but his manner gave the impression that health and safety was not important. Another media nail in our coffins. Good to see the nice guy get the job though - or does he have an evil hidden side we have yet to see???

I watched the programme and just thought it was a strange comment for Sugar to make - stated that he complies with all these Regulations, but seemed fairly dismissive of something (as has been pointed out) that can be a great cause of distress, time off and wasted resources. Having said that, my organisation trains staff to act as assessors (I am one) and assess workstations and provide training to each staff member. With the best will in the world, staff have bad habits when working (me as much as anyone) and others deliberately won't follow advice (one person told me they will continue to work without a break for 3-4 hours if they need to get work done). In such cases, I merely note on their assessment that they have been given the correct advice, and if they choose not to follow it, then so be it.

If you watched the after show it was implied that the chair ( sorry seating device) was not going to be made. Lord Sugar wanted the nail file business ( and an in with Wal-Mart I expect). Interestingly despite the negative comments on here about it and its possible cost, I thought it was a good Idea. The company I used to work for paid for medical insurance, the reason being as a key employee they did not want me to be away from work due to illness /injury etc for any length of time. So perhaps for some employees, company’s may be willing to pay more for their seats, even if it’s just the directors?. However If the improvement is just the design shape, then there is no reason to think it would be any more expensive to make or sell. The other part of his idea was an assessment service, but I think this should be done by a doctor. I also thought that although he was able to quote some of his legal HS duties, he undermined his credibility with his comment about emigrating. What a poor message to send, but you could almost see in your mind’s eye, certain members of government nodding in agreement. Furthering their belief that there is too much H&S red tape. Perhaps he is thinking of a new show – Apprentice 2 –Your off work with a bad back - your fired (oops Friday is tomorrow).