Rank: Forum user 
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Good morning all
I have recently started to take more time to read and contribute to some of the threads in the various IOSH forums in an honest, constructive and if possible a lighthearted way but am sometimes gob-smacked at some of responses I have read, that instead of offering practical down to earth advice:
1. Criticise the lack of knowledge of the poster, or;
2. Slate someone elses personal opinion, or;
3. Are totally unhelpful, or;
4. Quote/reference various bizarre H&S tomes/reports, or;
5. Any combination of the above.
It must make the public forums a 'very interesting read' from an outsiders perspective who perhaps is not a safety practitioner themself and is hopefully trying to get a few answers for H&S problems and thinks this will be a useful start point.
Isnt it time to try and make these forums more useful to both insiders and outsiders again rather than snipe to score points against other posters?
Hopefully this post will be taken the right way by users.
I am trying to think if I have posted any posts like those I have decribed above in the past as no doubt one of the 'snipers' will find and post in partial response.
Dont get me wrong, there are some very good discussions going on but sometimes for whatever reason someone throws a spanner in the works.
Please share your thoughts!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Don’t worry about it - the true value of this forum is not the face-to-face information you read on a daily basis - it’s the network of people you build up behind it initially via the PM service provided.
Its faceless and its quite easy to build up a inaccurate picture of people through their responses and you can see the one who don’t get on - enjoy that for what it is? It can be quite funny at times.
Its only somebody's opinion after all !!!!!!
I have build up an opinion of a few posters and I bet if I met them I'd be miles off - its how it is and boiled down what does it matter.
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Rank: Forum user
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Totally agree Winter; was thinking the very same thing myself.
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Rank: Super forum user
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It is an unfortunate thing about forums (fora?) that the thread tends to drift with obscure references - but think of a conversation between friends ove a pint - the subject does wander around!
However, I do get tired of the attacks which sometimes appear, but a good healthy debate can raise contentious views.
Think we just have to live with it!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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As per the others - go with the flow
I have been in H&S for over 30 years - I dip into the forums at least once a week, I doubt a week goes by when I don't learn something new; so in general its a matter of sifting the wheat from the chaff.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for the responses so far.
Perhaps the moderators can clamp down on the snipers who constantly attack others in the ways described and perhaps a 'three strikes and your out' policy be applied.
I am really suprised a sniper has not as yet picked up on the fact that I led in with 'Good morning' and posted it after 1200hrs, however its still early days!!
I agree that it is difficult to build up an inaccurate picture without meeting them and that perhaps networking by PM could help to understand them better.
I do enjoy it, but sometimes I think the lack of professionalism shown could lead to people looking at us in a worse light.
Good debate is great and I have learnt (and remembered) a few things by reading and joining in.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Winter28827 wrote:
.......... that I led in with 'Good morning' and posted it after 1200hrs,
Disgraceful!! We really require more accuracy here, you were highly unprofessional to do that. In my mind's eye, I imagine a few posters to be slightly autistic and take everything you say a bit too literally. Best to let it wash over you.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I don’t agrees with Mods taking out people who have very strong views which can be taken the wrong way - we need to be careful here.
I read with interest a very good post regards the safety arrangements around electricity and testing motors ( I have very limited competence in this area) this got a bit heated between a couple of posters but in doing so it made good reading about levels of competency required to undertake a certain role - disregard the digs take out of the post the interesting information contained in it. That’s the most important thing for me.
Additionally where would this forum be without the stronger to-the-point views of some posters.
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Rank: Super forum user
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*true contents of this post cannot be displayed because I'm frightened*
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Rank: Super forum user
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There is a three strikes and you're out rule. Many of us who like to express an opinion are well aware of that. I'm not ashamed to say that I've had my wrists slapped on many occasions over the years. Sometimes wrongly in my opinion and sometimes rightly. But I'd rather be someone who speaks my opinion and is prepared to debate than be someone who never gets their wrists slapped but then never says anything worth reading either.
Personally I think that people are being a tad over sensitive (but that has always been the case on this forum) and I'm amazed how often the word 'unprofessional' gets thrown at others. People should consider what that means. Is debating an issue unprofessional? Not in my book.
This forum is already sanitised enough without removing the conflict that arises out personality and opinion. We've lost some very interesting characters over the years and the forum is a poorer place for it.
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Rank: Forum user
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Quote=Clairel
Personally I think that people are being a tad over sensitive (but that has always been the case on this forum) and I'm amazed how often the word 'unprofessional' gets thrown at others. People should consider what that means. Is debating an issue unprofessional? Not in my book.
Spot on the money Clairel; strong debate and opinions is healthy. The thing that makes my chin hit the desk is the way a comment can be mis-interpretated and twisted to suit the readers perception and call individual integrity into question.
Love it all the same :-)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I used to be somebody else - can you work that one out?
Someone on here fell out with me and used to really slag me off, I disappeared for a while then came back with a new name - worked well, he/she doesn't know who I am and actually says nice things about me occasionally.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for all the replies so far.
Just to reiterate I have no problem with healthy debate and I know people will disagree with each other and some people are more sensitive than others. I am not sensitive and dont really care what people think of me, but what gets my goat are posts that:
1. Criticise the lack of knowledge of the poster, or;
2. Slate someone elses personal opinion, or;
3. Are totally unhelpful, or;
4. Quote/reference various bizarre H&S tomes/reports, or;
5. Any combination of the above.
OK I could actually live with No4 but wouldnt generally take the time to read them as I prefer good practical guidance rather than acedemia (probably spelt wrong).
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Rank: Forum user 
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Winter
I have been on here 17 years and concur with most of your assessment. I disagree with you on no 4 though.
Having been away for 2 years the level of scoffing at beginner questions is higher than I ever remember. But it did always happen.
It is not a hanging offence though. Just wish people would have the tolerance and understanding to pass on the benefit of their wisdom without being awful while they do it. Rich tapestry innit.
Kind regards
Jeff
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Rank: Super forum user 
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This is a public forum, open to anyone who registers, including some very knowledgeable but rude people, some very nice idiots and a whole load of others who are mostly very helpful, and some who occasionally lapse in to a sharp, ill-considered retort - just like any group of people really.
I value this facility very highly, warts & all.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Note 13
Number 4) 'I could actually live with No4 but wouldn't generally take the time to read them as I prefer good practical guidance rather than academia (probably spelt wrong'
You want to be 'spoon fed' hey? And you have the cheek to come here asking for answers that you cannot be bothered to test or verify? Sounds a bit lazy to me dear Winter. Let others do the work for you.. Not nice isit.
* the rest of this has been deleted by the great zimmy cos I have tears (unprofessional I know) :-)
And by the way, if rubbish is offered as advice, I, and a few like me will say so.
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Rank: Super forum user
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ops,was I rude again? I can feel another slap on the way. Zimmy back into the naughty corner!
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Rank: Forum user
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There is a 3 strikes and out rule?
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Rank: Forum user
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Zimmy
Thanks for your thoughtful and considered response in #15. Perhaps I should have said give and receive practical advice. I don't want spoon feeding but I believe in offering practical advice where requested via a post.
Have I come asking for answers to questions I can't be bothered to test and verify?
No.
This goes back to my reason for my initial post and points 1,2,3,5
Thanks
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Rank: Moderator 
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Yes there is. Forum Rule 35.
"35. If the moderators perceive that your message has broken our rules, they’ll remove it. Where possible, we’ll let you know that your message is unacceptable and why. If you have been formally warned in this way more than twice, on the third occasion, your access to the forums will be removed."
There is a significant difference between a formal warning and a friendly note from the mod team. We send far more of the latter than the former!
IOSH Moderating Team.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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David B at #15.
best post in months,
thank you
p48
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Rank: Forum user
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moderator 5 wrote:Yes there is. Forum Rule 35.
"35. If the moderators perceive that your message has broken our rules, they’ll remove it. Where possible, we’ll let you know that your message is unacceptable and why. If you have been formally warned in this way more than twice, on the third occasion, your access to the forums will be removed."
There is a significant difference between a formal warning and a friendly note from the mod team. We send far more of the latter than the former!
IOSH Moderating Team. Blimey, how do I find out if I am close to being carted off?
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Rank: Moderator 
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TFCSM wrote:
Blimey, how do I find out if I am close to being carted off?
Forum users are always told if they are being given a formal warning. It does not happen very often. Don't worry!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Firesafety101 wrote:I used to be somebody else - can you work that one out?
Someone on here fell out with me and used to really slag me off, I disappeared for a while then came back with a new name - worked well, he/she doesn't know who I am and actually says nice things about me occasionally.
Did you used to be me?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Firesafety101 wrote:I used to be somebody else - can you work that one out?
I used to be someone else too but but that was many moons ago on the old forum. I was well and truely kicked off for being naughty 3 times though!! Ahh those were the days when there was definately more scrapping on the forum than there is now!! I've grown older and wiser since then...some might say more boring ;-) If people think this forum is rough they should try other forums. A good argument is completely normal and human IMO. Nothing like getting the blood boiling, stomping away on the keyboard. Bizarre how some people want everyone else to be whiter than white and lacking any passion. Luckily I don't have to socialise with some of you or I may fall asleep in my pint!!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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One thing to also consider is it can be hard to interpret someones 'tone' via a forum - similar to a text message - the same message can sometimes be read completely differently when you know the person or respond wrongly and in hindsight re-read (I have been caught out many a time by the Mrs via text on this one).
An opinion will always be an opinion - I will always give anyone mine (if I have one) - to choose to follow is upto the individual - I know I will fall into the 'slightly leftfield group' but I am ALWAYS honest and back up with 20 years experience. Most posts I have responded to I have an 'alternative' method to the concensus but this is not to be controversial - its 'food for thought', based on my experiences and usually worked/working for me.
This to me is the value of the forum - If I needed to post to get 1 factual answer that was 'absolute', no wriggle room, do or die - I'd just Google it!
The value is seeing fellow professionals interpretation and what has worked for them - it clearly does/has or they wouldn't bother posting?!
But, but, getting factually incorrect posts on simple things like RIDDOR and completly OTT posts on DSE are my 'keep calm and carry on' moments - I don't usually respond as I have the self control to not start counting down my 3 strikes....
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Rank: Super forum user
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Strangely enough, I used to be someone else on the old forum too. Didn't use it for ages and couldn't remember my login details (and had also left the company I worked for so couldn't have it sent to me via email...)
As a result of some of Graham's whistful posts of old threads a short while back, I did actually find some of my old posts.
I agree, there were times when these forums were a little more feisty back then, although I do have to say, most regulars were a little more sympathetic to newcomers to the industry. *wipes nostalgic tear from eye*. ;)
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Rank: Super forum user
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David's post No 13 basically nails this thread. There will be people on here who are genuine, people who are helpful, some on here who will offer info freely and others who will tut tut the poster for asking for info where the person may have looked at Regulations but couldn't see it.
There are the pompous ones who believe they know better than anyone else and wouldn't back down their opinion to save face and the quiet ones who sometimes send a PM offering assistance on something they specialise in.
Like David said, all different types although in fairness, there are one or two on here who if i was stuck in a lift with them and had a gun with two bullets, i would shoot myself twice just to be sure. :-)
I'm now off to start a new thread asking for advice/clarification and hope for some leniency from one or two.
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Rank: Super forum user
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It's time to add a protest that people like myself who post stuff which can be described as boring, tedious, whimsical or even frivolous (and thus not really appropriate for a serious OS&H discussion forum) appear to have been overlooked so far in this thread!
p.s. Following nickh's concluding sentiment at #27, do others agree that nostalgia nowadays just doesn't seem to be as good as it used to be?! :-)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Firesafety101 wrote:I used to be somebody else - can you work that one out?
Someone on here fell out with me and used to really slag me off, I disappeared for a while then came back with a new name - worked well, he/she doesn't know who I am and actually says nice things about me occasionally.
I think I could have a good guess, but you would deny it so won't bother, there appears a few are someone alse on here. I like to air my opinions and sometimes they are accepted and sometimes there not, sometimes I will write something that when I am thinking it, it is funny but once it's on paper loses something, so comes across wrong.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I think Firesafety101 used to be me!
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Rank: Guest
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To paraphrase:
I think therefore I am (me)
Rich
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Is Firesafety101 the mild mannered janitor, we all know as ................well perhaps not.
Aint me and do not bother to post here too often anymore....lost interest
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Rank: Super forum user 
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DP wrote:I have build up an opinion of a few posters and I bet if I met them I'd be miles off - its how it is and boiled down what does it matter. That's true...... I remember you were gobsmacked when I turned out not to be short and blue with a white hat on! ;-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Actually the overriding memory is you never went to the bar!!!!! Smurfs eh!!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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DP wrote:Actually the overriding memory is you never went to the bar!!!!! Smurfs eh!!! Couldn't reach! ;-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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david bannister wrote: some very nice idiots Aha, recognition at last!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Safety Smurf wrote:I remember you were gobsmacked when I turned out not to be short and blue with a white hat on! ;-) Really??? I'm gutted :-(
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Rank: New forum user 
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Clairel wrote:This forum is already sanitised enough without removing the conflict that arises out personality and opinion. We've lost some very interesting characters over the years and the forum is a poorer place for it. its alright claire...i'm back with my real name as well (how do you change it) i never had a go at somone, but sometimes when you write a concise answer you used to get the 'is that it?'...you ask for opinion you get it....!
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