Posted By Merv Newman John, If your talking charity shops, there will be a certain minimum number of procedures required which must be communicated to managers and employees. I won't even try to list them. If ALL employees have access to computers then I think it reasonable to stick with electronic copies. provided that employees are given time to browse. Otherwise you have to print the essentials. However, some documents must be posted visibly for employees and customers. (what to do in case of emergency, exit routes and so on) OK. But. I started with a new site two years ago. The safety manager (in the process of moving on) was heavy on legislation, legal rights and obligations. (which was partly why he was moving on, thank the appropriate gods) Every safety document, rule and procedure had been placed on the site intranet. The incoming safety manager could not show me where they were. Nor could anyone else on the safety team and not one single manager or supervisor. I spent two weeks interviewing people and no-one could connect to the safety files. With a bit of playing around I did find them. And they were excellent. But. So, ok, electronic copies are fine but I feel that, unfortunately, you can't do better than printed copies of the legally required, best practice type rules and procedures. With signed acknowledgements "I am aware of this rule/procedure" Sorry. But that's life (E Rantzen) Before signing off, I am reminded of the three definitions/descriptions of safety manuals. 1. Archeologic. Covered in layers of dirt. (ie left on the shelf and never dusted down) 2. Virgin. Never touched by the hand of a man. (ie typed, printed and distributed by the H&S secretary. Filed by a manager's secretary) 3. Forensic. Covered with dirty fingerprints. These are the most used and the most useful. Very rare and should be preserved in amber. Or aspic. Or plastic under a nitrogen atmosphere. I think I'm rambling again. God, it's the childrens choir concert tonight. Merv

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Aside from the basics, do the sites have web access and therefore able to monitor your site electronically, a bit like the University's do, if so all the information could be made available in this manner, forms could be downloaded, incident reports created. It works for riddor; it could work for you in this approach with the appropriate back up. Just a thought CFT

Posted By busbybelle Until about a year ago, our company employed a consultant to write the H&S, Env & Qual manuals...How boring! Ok, so he had gained his qualifications and knew lots of big words but the manual has to be understood by everyone, so last year I co-wrote a new manual for an Integrated system with the Quality Manager. We decided to make it bright, user-friendly for everyone from the factory staff to top management (even though most of them would struggle to tell you where it's kept!) and BSI accredited us with the IMS certificate. My point is that you can have the same important information in a more 'fun' manual as in a standard run-of-the-mill manual. I like the fact that you are looking to try something new - Good luck with it.

Posted By Merv Newman CFT : do that meself sometimes. Just remembered something : I have a copy of the autoroutes safety manual here. Very visual. About 50 pages with maybe half-a-dozen images or photos on virtually every page. What not to do, how to do it right. Most pages have very very few words. It's aimed at the patrollers and the gardeners. I can probably fax a few pages to anyone interested. Merv

Posted By Merv Newman John, I agree that the risk is probably very low, just that I think there will have to be a certain minimum of documentation available to each worker. Your decision on how minimal that will be Merv

Posted By Merv Newman John, it's been pouring with rain all weekend (well most of it) at least all the waterbutts are now full. Selective info. Who NEEDS what. Office workers don't need lock-out procedures and so on. Chemical users need the coshh sheets for THEIR chemicals. Everyone needs emergency information. (some may need more than others) One or two master copies with everything in them. KISS Merv

Posted By Jeffrey Watt Apologies for coming in late on this topic folks. The most memorable written pieces of training I ever recieved engaged me on the level of a story. "The Goal" is an entire novel, written about how this guy saves his company through the application of the principles of lean manufacturing. Ok it sounds grim but it wasn't that bad and was a lot better than 5 hours of chalk and talk. The trade union movement have used comics as training for years in speading the word on different causes. Just a couple of examples on what can be done. The downside is the amount of time required to put something this advanced together. Kind regards Jeff

Posted By Paul Stokes John I have recently written manuals and procedures, online and also in CD/DVD format. I included animations, film, images, sound, voiceover, quizzes, Q&A’ etc etc. Of course I did charge for this service!! This can be very economical and worthwhile when you have multi locations and numerous employees to capture. Contact me if you need any help. PST

Posted By J Knight Silly me! Its 01430 860591, sorry, John

Posted By Fred Pratley John, I know there is a cost involved, but have you considered the Scriptographic booklets? Regards Fred