Rank: Forum user 
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Hi, Just a quick brainstorm please.
I have just this minute been asked to visit a garage at 1pm today where subsidance has occurred over the last year or so. The issue has already been raised within the company to get it repaired, however there seems no hurry and the Line Manager is concerned because it has become worse over the last 6-9 months.
He has asked for my input (please don't comment about the fact I should have been involved earlier poor culture!) to visit and do a report to add welly because he wants to ensure he has done all he can by next week before he is made redundant.
Please can anyone provide me with a brainstorm list of data I need to capture upon my visit. I have my own list, but I want this to be as comprehensive as I can.
Many thanks!
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Rank: Super forum user
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To be honest, the problem as described sounds one more for a stuctural engineer.
What sort of subsidence are we talking about?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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My best suggestion is, if you have a friend who is a Structural Engineer, then take them along with you...
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Rank: Super forum user
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Tinkerbell, again - Structural Engineer!
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Rank: Forum user
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I realise this is beyond H&S expertise, but I am visiting to gain momentum and direction to formally request a Structural Engineer... blimin red tape!! (plus hoops etc).
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Rank: Forum user
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In that case then I would go visit but advsie ebfore hand that you can only suggest what the H&S implications are. When you get there say, along the lines of 'if this goes further then this would happen and you would be..... whatever.
If this stays the same then then there might be dmage done to foudnations which might mean this...... would happen.
And add you need a structural enginerr to prove its okay (or not).
Lilian
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Rank: Super forum user
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Tinkerbell
Or you could cover yourself and say " I am not a structural engineer but in my capacity as H&S adviser I would suggest that as this has not been properly assessed and it poses a risk to the people using it, applying the precautionary principle that until it has been checked out by a structural engineer that it be closed off.”
Depends how bad it looks and how strong you feel.
Remember just because it looks alright today, it might, while you slowly source a qualified person, get worse quite quickly for example the subsidence could have been caused by the dry weather and any subsequent heavy rain might make it worse.
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Rank: New forum user
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I would ask the local authority for some help with this one.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Dependant on the location it could be a mine shaft.
A friend of mine has one under his house.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for all your help. I have visited and it is a typical case of being used to add welly to get something done.
The landlord 'x' rents the building to the company 'y' who then have my client 'z' carrying out working activity in two parts of the industrial unit.
Z reported the defect to Y who passed it on to X who gained quotes from a structural engineer that were far to high and then argued who's responsibilty it was to rectify.
So just my presence with hard hat and hi viz/clipboard has got Y and X scuttling round making phonecalls! Coupled with the collated data on the appearance of what is, and my report of how it impacts the safety of the workers for 'z'... we will see if anything changes!
Don't you like being used!... such is life!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Suggest the employer contacts his insurers. They have (access to) experts, and they'll also want to know as a matter of policy condition.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Many buildings have some subsidence damage which affects the decoration, cracked brickwork and concrete, etc without significantly affecting H&S.
So far we only have the fact that there is some evidence of subsidence, but nothing said about what significant safety issues and defects you found relating to the subsidence.
What were the significant findings from your visit regarding the subsidence.
Steve
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Rank: Forum user
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Steve,
Significant findings relating to the subsidance were hazards relating to FLT movement within area. Trip hazards in yard and in workshop (the worst level difference was 4.5" in places). And where the floor is sloping, issues around using ramps and jacks to raise vehicles.
However, upon visiting it is apparent there are many other safety factors that need managing, around general practice and upkeep of the premises. I found issues such as an Oxy
Acetylene cylinder stood in the middle of the workshop unsupported, oil store has a bund made out of breeze blocks, chemicals in use with no storage area/facility and the rear fire door is in poor condition and permanently blocked off leaving only a single unlit door (not a fire door) leading to the next unit or a shutter door as means of escape when there were approximately 10 or so cars stored in an adhock manner... lets just say i am glad I don't work there!.
Consequently I shall be making a further visit to follow up!
Ron - thanks for your advice, I will do then.
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