Hi, I am new to the forum, i would like to please ask a question.

When safety talks are given on site, do the attendees have to sign a register? I have been looking at the CDM regs and the requirement for communicating to workers. A safety talk is the most effective way, but how would you prove they were there if they dont sign the brief register?

Is it enough just to have a name of the attendees listed on the register and the lead engineer giving the brief to sign it as delivered?

Thanks for any advice.

Hi,

Welcome to the forum! To echo what RayRapp says, it's always good practice to get people to sign anything like this. The way i look at is like this...

- The safety brief/toolbox talk is done to help protect the guys on site.

- The signature helps protect the company (in the event something does go wrong).

I've been on the recieving end of a few personal injury claims over the years (the joys of working with predominantly temporary staff rather than PAYE!) and things such as signed RAMS, toolbox talks, inductions etc are invaluable in these situations.

A couple of quick tips:

In the case of toolbox talks, a signature sheet alone is next to useless becuase proving what was given in the talk at a later date is impossible. The sheet should either refer back to a numbered toolbox talk or, better still (and the way i do it) the signature sheet is printed onto the back of the toolbox talk. This way you're much more able to demonstrate what was discussed than you are if you've just got a signature sheet with "PPE" written at the top

Make sure your archving is up to scratch. These signature sheets very rarely need to be referred back to during the job, it's usually 6, 9, 12 months later so make suere you put them somewhere safe!

All the best

Stern

Thanks for the advice about toolbox talks. I have had a bit of resistance with the fact that staff are now signing for the talk and they think they will be held accountable for any issues that arise on site.

I have been bringing in improvements for 2 years and have found that the 'blame culture' is really playing havoc with progress.

After these discussions, at least i know i am pushing the correct buttons and heading in the right direction.

Thanks again for all your help. Onwards and upwards!

Rob26

"In the end i told them no sign, no work." 

A signature obtained by duress?

Putting this matter in perspective, I think there is a place for signatures to insulate the organisation from criminal and civil liabilites, as well keeping a record of who was on site, when, etc. I do also think there is too much reliance on a bit of paper and in some some situations a signature is not worth paper it is written on. I have lost count how many times I have checked documentation that has been signed for being read or briefed, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. 

I agree with Gerry. I think it is fine to have rules and expect people to abide by them. As you said you had their verbal agreement, but without their signature your were not able to proceed. Calling it duress is somehow imlying that the matter was underhand, rather than a statement of fact.

Edited by user 09 February 2017 14:30:51(UTC)  | Reason: Spelling mistake