Hi Lilian,

I think that its good on one hand that they know they have to wear them, but I can understand your concerns. To know and understand the underlying reasons should be more of a motivation than a whipping stick.
I'm not accusing you of ruling by fear or any such nonsense, but it still amazes me at what people take away from training, instructions and the like. I bet that not once did you ever say, I want you to wear them, and not with a reason why!

Good luck with your quandary.

Pete

Well said, Ray!

Lilian

I would say that you are doing a good job. The message has got through to the workforce. At the end of the day as long as they wear the protection and stay safe, then all is well.

In an ideal world it would be nice if all the workforce understood and appreciated the H&S measures are there for their benefit; however, this is not always going to be the case.

As you said, at least they weren't slagging you off, which shows a level of understanding and respect.

good work

Thanks for the compliments folks.
It might be Grahams reasoning.
As stated I'm just pleased they are wearing their PPE.
Ray and Ciaran - their PPE is not just for the sake of it no mater what the weather. we usually work in folks homes, lofts, etc so there is always a requirement for some sort of PPE.
Not really wanting them to wear shorts when putting down loft insulation in case the fibres go into their skin - have other arrangements for the heat.

Lillian, I agree with our colleagues here that you have NOT failed, you have succeeded. They wear their PPE.

I have the same experience as Ray, above, on a weekly basis. One day a week I audit a client's gangs who are road/footpath-working and I can guarantee I will observe hard hats going on heads when they see me coming, or the man sawing the tarmac will see me, he'll put down his saw, put on his goggles and dust mask and then continue (he is already wearing a hard hat and ear protection!).

I might see 20 operatives in a day and just one or two let us down with not wearing PPE from the start of the job. Yes, we have regular toolbox talks on each type of PPE (I do try and vary the presentations). They also get audited by the principal contractor AND being a high visibility occupation they do get visits from HSE inspectors, and even had a Prohibition Notice last year for a gang not wearing dust masks - the client knows they can be prosecuted if the inspector comes along again and .....

I think if they didn't have to wear hard hats all the time then they would be more likely to remember when to wear masks or goggles or ear protectors. As Ray said above you have to have sympathy for these guys when the temperatures like this week are in the high 20s Celsius.

John