Not quite Friday but thought I would share. Came into work this morning and noted that two people in the next company to us were on a single story flat roof. They had harnesses on, but were not clipped to anything and nothing for them to clip to. Apparently our people decided to send the apprentice who only started last week, out to ask them if they wanted a sky hook. Just discovered the apprentice was too bright to fall for it (pun intended). The men got the message when overhearing some of our people taking the xxxx out of them. Their response was to call our people ….. ( for those that like crosswords: what you might do to your finger more than once, when holding a thorny rose). You just can't help some people! I was happy as a few years ago our people would not have thought twice about it. Chris

I get the point of the post - no secure attachment point preventing access to the edge and falling off but like Sellotape, Hoover and other brands "Sky Hook" now has a totally different and valid meaning in the context of cable management rather than fall restraint systems. Still can't beat being sent to the stores for the ubiquitous long stand or that essential bag of sparks for the grinder

Have to disagree "Now that is how H&S should be" Chris is indicating a major turning point a long road with site culture (these are the gems that let you know what you are doing in an organisation does have benefit and purpose) Whilst there is improvement in site H&S perception by pointing out to the perpetrators the error of their ways (albeit un-welcomed) the muppets from the roof will continue to act unsafely as will the neighbours until such time as a tragic accident happens or someone actually steps up to prevent recurrence. The post does not indicate what further action (if any) was taken: - photographs sent to the HSE resulting in cessations of works and preservation of life or - we had a chat with the site manager and he called the workers down until.. Would be more cause to declare "Now that is how H&S should be"

Well I am sick of playing god, if people want to kill themselves let them. I look after the workforce were I work and will advise my kids, but everyone else can do what ever they want as long as they don't hurt me or mine. But good on the workforce for realising it is not the safest method of working

I quite often tell people to/not to do something for my benefit - the ppe is there for their benefit not mine; the seat belt on the FLT does not protect anyone other than the driver, the harness does not stop me from falling etc etc. Good work Chris in getting the guys to see the problems - hopefully this will start to permeate where you work too and then you will begin to see the real benefits of your toils. My dream is to be able to make myself redundant - in so muchg as the workforce can and does manage safety in a way that they dont need me - only 17yrs to go so I am planning it slowly and steadily :-) Stu

It was a bit of all the above, Happy our people are starting to think about not just their own H&S, but that of others. Glad traditions of getting apprentices to do daft things , like get a bucket of sparks for grinder is still around. It is sometimes about small victories, which I seem to be getting from the bottom and middle of the company. Recently I also had a supervisor approach with a big grin. He had apparently bought a new ladder for home which he was getting grief form his wife over cost. After discussions in work on ladders he had checked the one he bought and it was to BS EN 131 and was able to explain to his wife that it was better quality than normal domestic ones, therefore sturdier and longer lasting and safer for him. He exclaimed he had even got her to foot the ladder when cleaning the guttering. I admit my first though was that's nice. Then thought that if he stays safe at home, we will not potentially be a man down, putting pressure on others. So all good. The issues about intervening when you see others who are not your responsibility, have prompted many debates on this forum. Some of us who travel about often in industrial estates see so many things that we could spend an inordinate amount of time reporting things. I think on a general basis I need to keep my corner of the world in line and if everyone else does the same, all will be good. Sadly there are those employers and employees who just don't think things will happen or not to them and theirs anyway. Even when proved wrong they sometimes don't get it. I don't on a general basis think things are changing for the better. Often H&S is considered to have gone mad, until something goes wrong then there is not enough. Everyone wants to be safe, but not actually do anything or go out of their way to ensure it. So I will take small victories and try and build on them. Now where did I put that striped paint :0) Chris