Posted By Ian stevenson Andrew, are you referring to back pocket work in their own time. Or are you referring to overtime. Back pocket work would be beyond your jurisdiction, they would most likly come within the scope of the self employed. Regards Ian

Posted By Raymond Rapp I would not have that this type of work is exactly 'Rocket Science', surely general health and safety knowledge and awareness would cover most of the job spec eg slips, trips and fallls, working at heights. I would have thought most of the members of IOSH would have a good idea as to what is required. Are you not a H&S person, or perhaps you are just an associate member. If you require an further assistance please ask.

Posted By Matthew O'Farrell Hi Andrew Is this a trick question or am I missing the point. To my knowlwdge The Health and Safety at Work Act applies 24/7 and there are no exclusions for week-ends. In fact the use of non-professionals may be a breach in itself unless their training and competence can be assured. At the very least the levels of training, supervision and first aid provision may need to be enhanced in relation the use of individuals in unfamiliar work. And then there is the matter of the Working Time Regulations. I don't think you can really divorce the week-end activities from the rest of the week. A fatality on Saturday will still be a fatality on the following Monday. I think you are right to be concerned and may find your 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment for this scenario may conclude the health and safety of the individuals is not a cheap option. It may be 'the show must go on' but hardly as a dress rehearsal for the local hospital or courts.

Posted By Andrew Powell Dear all, Thank you for your responses. I feel that clarification is needed due to a couple of questions raised. A team of 6 people were originally employed to conduct minor tasks such as painting/scraping/cleaning etc on overtime. Over the last six years, (before my time) the scope of work has increased to the point where they are now laying and breaking up coving and concrete etc. This work was suspended about 3 months ago. It will not recommence until all safeguards are in place. We have conducted risk assessments, will provide all necessary further and refresher training and SSOW etc, all the necessary legislative requirements. Although general painting and cleaning is indeed not "rocker science" Use of medium weight breaking equipment, abrasive wheels etc is outside of my experience. With the right training they may be able to use minor domestic type power tools, and this on what I must decide and why I started this thread. If I must keep this work to painting and cleaning only I will do so, but I need very real and clear reasons for such action. Hopefully there are other companies who conduct self-help work and as such have assessed it and decided on the way forward... That was the reason for my question. Thanks again Andrew

Posted By Andrew Powell Ken, thanks for the info, I intend to approach the hire company to provide training on any equipment that they may be allowed to use. Can you confirm which CITB and HSE videos are used in your establishments induction process. I get the impression that the establishment you refer to do not allow use of machinery, it is purely kept to simple decorating only, is this correct. Should this be the approach to aim for? Only allow use of a paintbrush and scraper? I know that this idea would be very unpopular even by certain managers but as previously stated, if this is the standard I should be pushing for, I will push for it. I should point out that my view is that all "handyman" type work should be carried out by a qualified "handyman" and this person should be employed as part of the maintenance team and not a weekend DIY'er. Our maintenance team is being expanded to cope with these jobs, it now just falls to me to limit the scope of the work to this "weekend self-help team" I apologise for the length of this message.