Hi Steve, We have the same policy (based on risk assessment) as you describe, I think it's fairly common within the industry. I.e. drinks (either brought onto the premises or from the vending machines) are allowed in the waiting areas but not the warehouse area. We also have signage (though ours is pictorial with no reference to H&S).Signage can be a good method to remind person of policy, especially those that might not be used to the environment (e.g. Goods In Drivers). You've already identified one risk (and stating that it's no greater than other slip / trip hazards does not make it not a risk). The main issues is that you allow flexibility it gets abused, this is the cold hard reality. Although not in the spirit of what we should be doing, it does provide another layer of defence for the inevitable slip claim that comes in if someone were to slip on a spillage.

Our ban for not allowing drinks (other than water in a clear bottle) in the warehouse is due to people leaving half empty and empty cups, coke bottles etc laying around and for pest control reasons, attracting flys and insects etc

quote=SteveM]In my workplace we have a transport office that the drivers wait outside in a waiting room to collect their runs for the day, we have vending machines that produce hot drinks for the staff, recently these vending machines have a notice placed on them advising that due to health and safety concerns no drinks are permitted in the warehouse. I have no problem with drinks not being allowed in the warehouse but I find the reason being health and safety a bit scapegoatish. This post is more of a bit of fun than a serious discussion but points in either direction would be good. I want to put a case to the management demanding the signs removal or amendment. My case so far. I will request to see the risk assessment that deemed the erection of the sign important due to health and safety grounds, (I know there is not one) should there be one if the issue is deemed serious enough to require warning signs? I will ask why the risk of drinks in the warehouse is greater than the waiting area that has chairs and drivers bags spread over the floor and is greatly over crowded. I anticipate them saying that if a cup is spilt it will cause a slip hazard in the warehouse, I will state that the drinks cost 15p and there is more chance that a driver will drop a pipe, cable or other consumable that cost them nothing that pose a trip hazard, are all consumables and stock to be banned from the warehouse? Not only would a discussion about this constitute a poke in the eye for our management should the general opinion go my way but would give me an incite into the difference in opinion and ways of thinking within the health and safety world. If at the conclusion of this discussion I can get them to change the sign to "due to company policy no drinks are allowed into the warehouse" I would be happy. I have learnt so much from these forums not just about H&S but differing opinions on subjects and different ways of thinking, H&S is very much a personal thing with many grey areas. I hope you guys are up for a bit of fun and can help me with this with as much information for each side of the discussion, even legal arguments as possible, I am hoping it may even help me when I reach the real world as a H&S professional in the future. Steve

We had a similar policy in the last company I worked for. It was as much to do with product contamination as H&S and the safety excuse was not used. In the end we agreed lidded cups could be used and in fact the company provided everyone with a free lidded thermal mug complete with company slogan. With respect Steve, you state you don't like to see H&S being used this way - and I agree with you - but you then say you'd like to refute it to provide "a poke in the eye for management". And you don't think this is an equally poor reason for using H&S? I know you said this was light hearted but think again if that is part of your intention.