What do members think ?
The HSE myth busting panel have published the below case although technically correct i.e. no exact words in H&S law (and the insurance bit is superfluous). Surely this argument could be used against many risk that have no specific definition in H&S law. I am fully in support of the Myth busting panel’s work however, in this case I could argue a number of Health related and safety related issues to prohibit such items.
e.g.
• Smoke alarms (food in micro waves producing smoke when the door is open).
• The provision of welfare facilities (Hygiene etc).
• Over loading sockets with extraneous equipment.
• Using unauthorised equipment (difficult for management to ensure safety when people bring in their own equipment ).
And many more in fact could this be a breech of section 2 of HSAWA failure to provide Provision of a safe place of work.

With a number of staff now asking to be allowed such items after reading the HSE response should the myth busting panel also publish a few examples of when prohibition is allowed or would this give excuses to poor H&S advice ?

Case 69 - Office workers advised that kettles and microwaves were not allowed due to health and safety requirements
Issue
Office workers have been advised that kettles and microwaves are not allowed in their office due to health and safety requirements and that insurance would be needed at a cost to the employer.
Panel decision
There is no health and safety law prohibiting the use of kettles and microwaves in the office. It is unfortunate that the office workers have been told incorrectly that they cannot use such equipment because of health and safety. It would be much better if their employer explained their real concerns about having this equipment in the office.

Agree with both above.

They are indeed banned from this sites offices - and will continue to be so but not for safety reasons.

You could argue that there are are some health reasons around cleaning/ownership if splitting hairs but really not H&S per se

Case 69. Should a RA be in place for the use of personal electrical equipment into the work place? What are the limitations of use? Near electrical equipment on the desk?Who becomes responsible for ensuring that the items are safe to use as they may be used by others and not just the owner? Are they likely to be plugged into dedicated power circuits used by computers as a 3kW added to the circuit may just trip the protective device. Has the microwave been tested for leaks?

Myth?

Toasters are usually banned because burning toast sets off the smoke alarm. Just as well as, if the alarm did not draw attention to the burning toast there could be a real fire

Even with forty outlets in this case the load would be the same as the load would not alter. Adding circuits would be the only way out other than reducing the load.

I still struggle with the fact (at least I think it is a fact...!) that:

a) whilst there is not H&S legislation that prohibits the use of kettles etc
surely
b) it is permissible for a business to ban their use on "safety" grounds

I've yet to see a Myth Busters answer that clarifies that.
Phil

Unfortunately what the panel is saying is there is nothing in The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated legislation which bans these things. As far as the HSE are concerned civil action does not constitute Health and Safety law! I also question the section 3 duties that some of these decisions appear to ignore. Rather than dispelling the myths some cloudy the water!

Hi thanks for the responses below is the HSE's Myth Busting Panels answer when I asked.

Thank you for your email to the Myth Busters Challenge Panel. We agree
that there are justifiable reasons for prohibiting items such as
microwaves but it is important to explain the real reasons why this
decision has been taken (eg; fire risk) rather than just citing health
and safety.

I hope this information is useful.

Regards.

Myth Busters Challenge Panel

holmezy

I agree, unfortunately it is often easier to ban something rather that to put controls in place to prevent contamination, health, or safety risks.

Sadly the concept that risk should be managed (rather than banning everything) seems to have largely bypassed many on this forum.