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
Admin  
#1 Posted : 07 September 2005 14:14:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Smiff I have an engineer on site who has reported distinctly rodent-like noises coming from the dashboard of his (hired) van. I've advised he need pro help to get the blighter out, but the pest people won't touch a van that isn't ours, and the hire firm says it's our problem! In the meantime, I guess I'm right to advise not using it until professsionally cleared as safe, and cleaned with due regard to Wiels's etc? FD is not keen to on-hire a replacement for an otherwise useable van. Should we also get the van checked for wiring etc, as I know the bleeders has a taste for insulation.
Admin  
#2 Posted : 07 September 2005 15:40:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By MichaelM If there is an unwanted visitor in the dashboard, what would happen if it decided to make itself know when the vehicle was doing 70 on the motorway? If this has been reported and then there is a subsequent crash you would be in deep rats doo doo! It is not just wiels disease (COSHH) you have to worry about but your overall duty of care. The rental company must ensure the vehicle is fit for purpose as they have a duty of care also.
Admin  
#3 Posted : 07 September 2005 16:00:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By J Knight What's it eating? I mean, seriously? Is there sustenance in a van dash to keep a rodent alive for more than a few days? They may chew insulation, but I'm sure they can't digest it. Leave it a few days and surely you'll have dead rodents, or they'll leave in search of cheese, John
Admin  
#4 Posted : 07 September 2005 16:12:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Smiff I've hired him another van, he's locking it up with a rat box and a trap in the footwell, and he'll get the upholstery steamed once the hitch-hiker has shuffled off this mortal coil. Probably get a garage inspection, too in case safety-critical bits are hanginig in shreds. This is going to ge expensive! I can't lay a fit for purpose rap on the hire company, WE took it onto a brownfield remediation site (known for rodents), and we've had it for some time. I'm sure Ratus didn't come with the van, well, it's not got a Welsh accent anyway. I just can't believe Rentokill, E. Health or any other pest controllers in the Town's phonebook would even look at it!
Admin  
#5 Posted : 07 September 2005 16:25:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe Based on past experiences of rodents in places rodents should not be i am of the opinion you can only get the assistance to rid yourself of them if you have Rolf Harris and film crew. Am i being cynical?
Admin  
#6 Posted : 07 September 2005 17:40:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Mark Talbot John, been away from company vans a long time then? Every one I've ever been in seems to have enough remnants of pies, crisps, and sandwiches to keep a young child alive let alone a rodent! A small mouse weighs a few grammes, it doesn't take much to keep them alive. As for trapping them, I heard they prefer chocolate to cheese.
Admin  
#7 Posted : 07 September 2005 19:11:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Karen Todd Lets hope it's not a pregnant female rodent... KT
Admin  
#8 Posted : 08 September 2005 09:35:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By MichaelM Karen I would be more worried if it was a pregnant male rodent!!
Admin  
#9 Posted : 08 September 2005 10:11:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Peter Taylor14 We had the same issue once when it was alledged a snake had escaped whilst the van was being used by a previous customer, when all the checks had been done it just turned out to be a vinscreen viper!!!
Users browsing this topic
Guest
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.