Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
markyg  
#1 Posted : 08 November 2019 09:40:29(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
markyg

Hello,

Looking for some advice if possible please.  We are a firm of structural engineers and in that capacity undertake small scale, structural surveys for residential clients.  One of our survey types is to inspect whether a property has had cavity wall insulation installed.  Normally this is fairly obvious from the externals however, in some cases we have required to drill a small pilot hole (~5mm) in the internal or external wall to insert a borescope to provide confirmation.

In the past, our engineers have taken along their own drill to make the drill hole.  The drill is a personal item and not subject to testing and is checked by the engineer prior to use.  Similalry, no training is provided by the company. We do not do enough of this work to warrant purchasing company equipment for this purpose (circa 1-2 a year).

From my own view, I see this as a relatively low risk activity, part of the survey however it has been raised that if an engineer injures themselves from using the drill, is there an issue with respect the engineer using his own drill and not receiving formal training in its use?  We undertake risk assessments prior to carrying out the work and provided the engineer is comfortable and familiar with using the drill, the risk is low. I would not expect an engineer that has never drilled a hole before to undertake the works.

There is obviously the public liability risk of hitting services etc however, that is a separate issue.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks

Ian Bell2  
#2 Posted : 08 November 2019 11:06:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

Your company is obliged to undertake a risk assessment of your activities and then to record any significant risks identified,

Do you consider this task poses a significant risk to either your employee or others? If so put into place sufficient risk controls.

I know what I would do........ 

achrn  
#3 Posted : 08 November 2019 11:28:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
achrn

I'm not generally supportive of people using their own powertools at work (or 'serious' non-power-tools, but people use their own digital cameas, distos, tape measures, etc.)

Personally, I'd say the company needs to provide the drill (even if you're only going to use it a couple of times a year) and have a procedure that says someone will check it for condition occasionally, and the user will check it over visually before each use .  You'll probably decide it needs PAT testing occasionally (or its charger, if it's a cordless, which is reasonably likely).

You possibly don't need training if you assess competence (and record that) before authorising someone to use it.  You've apparently done that implicitly, so write it down somewhere.

thanks 1 user thanked achrn for this useful post.
CptBeaky on 08/11/2019(UTC)
Ian Bell2  
#4 Posted : 08 November 2019 12:20:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

#3 very good - but aren't you missing the most significant hazard/risk.

Still a bit of PAT paperwork will look good 

CptBeaky  
#5 Posted : 08 November 2019 12:31:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
CptBeaky

I assume your people know how to identify asbestos?

thanks 2 users thanked CptBeaky for this useful post.
Dazzling Puddock on 08/11/2019(UTC), jodieclark1510 on 11/11/2019(UTC)
Ian Bell2  
#6 Posted : 08 November 2019 12:39:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ian Bell2

A significant risk if only 2 holes a year drilled?

Ok, we can dismiss that.

Next significant risk ....

markyg  
#7 Posted : 08 November 2019 16:13:01(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
markyg

Thank you all for your responses, most helpful.   I will take the responses on board.

Acorns  
#8 Posted : 08 November 2019 22:59:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Acorns

Amateur non-tech, non-diyer  drilling holes versus qualified engineer!   for so many reasons this looks like comparing a recipe for disaster versus low to very low risk.

Dazzling Puddock  
#9 Posted : 12 November 2019 14:28:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Dazzling Puddock

Originally Posted by: AcornsConsult Go to Quoted Post

Amateur non-tech, non-diyer  drilling holes versus qualified engineer!   for so many reasons this looks like comparing a recipe for disaster versus low to very low risk.

You have more faith in a "qualified engineer" than I do!

Users browsing this topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.