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rach108		#1 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:03:34(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		We have recently expanded into Europe, having previously provided internet services only throughout the UK. My view on the health and safety of our workers is that we do not require a health and safety specialist abroad and that with a bit of research and us continuing to do what we do here, we are doing the right thing. We are a low risk company and we treat health and safety as the priority. Could anyone give me any information on this please, such as, is this the right thing to do?
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Safety Smurf		#2 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:16:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Hi, It depends on a whole host of factors. where are your workers going to be based and what are they going to be doing?
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rach108		#3 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:36:06(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Hi We have so far got a site in Spain and are now looking at one in Germany. First of all a planning engineer will visit the site to do a survey of what is required to provide internet to it. It will be a multi tenanted site, usually student accommodation. We do not install the cabling, that is done by a build contractor prior to us attending. We go in once the structure has been put in place and we install servers, access point, switches and UPS into the comms rooms. Sometimes we install Ap's onto the ceilings. We have robust procedures here in the UK for training and planning works etc.
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Safety Smurf		#4 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:48:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Hi, I don't know for Spain but Germany's H&S system is very prescriptive and is generally rule based rather than risk based. Unfortunately I've lost a lot my resource material on a pen drive that crashed but a read through this should give you a better understanding of how the German H&S system is set up. http://www.euro.who.int/.../OSH-Profile-Germany.pdf
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rach108		#5 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:52:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Thank you. I'll have a look. We are currently at the point of making a decision on whether or not we do need to consult with a local person/company.
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stevedm		#6 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:53:30(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		The same rules apply...but be careful not to get caught out by the requrements in Germay as in some regions it varies...and means that only a German qualified safety professional can be the appointed person. I work in both countries so if you need some specifics then please give me a shout.
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Safety Smurf		#7 Posted : 22 July 2015 10:58:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		rach108 wrote: Thank you. I'll have a look. We are currently at the point of making a decision on whether or not we do need to consult with a local person/company. Yes you will and as soon as I can find the piece of legislation that dictates I'll post a link.
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Safety Smurf		#8 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:05:27(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Got it. if you pm me your email address I'll send some stuff over (thankfully translated into English).
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rach108		#9 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:15:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Thanks for your help. Will this mean we will have to appoint someone in each country, or does this apply only to Germany?
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Safety Smurf		#10 Posted : 22 July 2015 11:18:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Not sure about Spain, I only work in the UK and Germany.
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Ron Hunter		#11 Posted : 22 July 2015 13:09:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Your planning people will have to be appraised for (e.g.) Member State arrangements for Asbestos Management. You mention installation. Asbestos and avoiding hidden services aren't 'low' risk in my book. Are you lead for the Project, or is there a local manager you would report to as a sub-contractor? Who appoints and instructs the cable installer?
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stevedm		#12 Posted : 22 July 2015 13:51:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		smurf...so you are in Germany...I'm in Cloppenburg...you?
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Safety Smurf		#13 Posted : 22 July 2015 13:57:36(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		In Blighty at the mo but mostly in the Frankfurt area when I'm over there.
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rach108		#14 Posted : 23 July 2015 14:05:12(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Ron Hunter wrote: Your planning people will have to be appraised for (e.g.) Member State arrangements for Asbestos Management. You mention installation. Asbestos and avoiding hidden services aren't 'low' risk in my book. Are you lead for the Project, or is there a local manager you would report to as a sub-contractor? Who appoints and instructs the cable installer? Hi The hidden services are not something that affect us. We install into an already built structure. We don't do the installation of anything structural, just the IT equipment (not cabling) into comms rooms. We don't work with asbestos. We ensure there is none present or any present has been isolated or removed prior to commencing works.
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hammer1		#15 Posted : 23 July 2015 15:15:10(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		I work in a few European Countries and get involved in the H&S/Fire side, as you get involved you be amazed it is far less stringent than the UK even though it all comes from the same European Directives, especially fire as the local fire brigade still control and manage most things (dictate if you need AFD or sprinklers, conduct annual or 5 yearly inspections). A lot of stuff is insurance lead, they are more proactive in occupational health than we are. I have some generic stuff on a few countries (might be out of date?) send us a PM and I fly it over.
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biker1		#16 Posted : 24 July 2015 14:19:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		In my, albeit limited, experience of things non-UK, it can be difficult to get detailed information on legislation in other countries, unless you are fluent in several languages. However, as has been said, the legislation and practice in most European countries is generally less stringent than the UK, despite all being signed up to the same directives, something I have never quite understood.
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