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Richierob1  
#1 Posted : 14 March 2016 10:07:14(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Richierob1

Good morning, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on night shift and weekend supervision requirements. I work for a company of aprox 100 personnel, only ever 30 - 35 persons on shift at any one time. We are a 24/7 plastics manufacturing company 33 thermoforming machines and 2 extruders. We have team leaders who have undergone training to NVQ level who run the nights and weekends, but these are also operational so could be asked to man machines as well as manage the shift. 2 x fire marshalls per shift 4 x first aiders 1 x safety rep senior managers are available 24/7 via on call phones. Is this sufficient? thanks
WatsonD  
#2 Posted : 14 March 2016 10:32:02(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
WatsonD

Richierob1, It would be very difficult for someone to give you a straight YES or NO, based on the information given. However, is there any reason why evenings or weekends should not have the same level of supervision as the weekday shifts?
Richierob1  
#3 Posted : 14 March 2016 11:02:52(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Richierob1

Morning David, thanks for your reply To be honest David the only difference between days and the rest of the shifts is that the senior management are on site, the actual running of the shift is left to the team leaders. As I pointed out the senior management team all live locally and are available by on call phone 24/7.
RayRapp  
#4 Posted : 14 March 2016 11:16:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Hi Richierob1 It is difficult for an outsider to ascertain whether the staffing is adequate without a lot more information about the risks, environment, etc. At the end of the day you and your colleagues are best placed to decide if there is sufficient cover during the day, night and weekends.
WatsonD  
#5 Posted : 14 March 2016 11:43:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
WatsonD

Richierob1 wrote:
Morning David, thanks for your reply To be honest David the only difference between days and the rest of the shifts is that the senior management are on site, the actual running of the shift is left to the team leaders. As I pointed out the senior management team all live locally and are available by on call phone 24/7.
I think you may have answered your own question then. If the direct supervision is by the team leaders then you would just need to satisfy yourself that they are competent to do so, and would know how and who of the senior management team to contact. For this I would consider a nominated manager rota, with an identified manager who was aware that they would be the one called. Imagine if they were all unobtainable because of various reasons like out at a party, or in the cinema with phone switched off, etc. The team leaders trying to phone each one in turn.
Kate  
#6 Posted : 14 March 2016 13:21:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

It sounds broadly OK to me. You might ask though, do you have any evidence you can use to assess it? For example, do more things go wrong on nights than days and is lack of supervision an issue in that/
David Bannister  
#7 Posted : 14 March 2016 15:14:28(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

Richierob1, you have asked the question so something must be causing you concern. If there is a specific issue that is bothering you it may be worthwhile sharing so a more focused answer can be provided.
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