Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By John Campbell
Wife has new job working as an assistant in local library doing the usual book issue,returns,cds,dvds. All controlled via computer network. terminal on desk. No provision for working seated must stand "looks tidier". My thoughts if job can be done seated provision should be made to permit this to happen ie appropriate chair supplied
Am I being too simplistic.Thoughts
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Dickson
John,
Are you being simplistic, no.
Are you right, yes.
Is this a safety issue, no.
A librarian is hardly going to be involved in intense inputing so any risk from DSE work, I would suggest, is not an issue. It is probably more important that the librarian is properly mobile behind the desk, and chairs are probably going to introduce more risk (as clutter) that they would reduce.
Ken
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gilly Margrave
Hi John,
I have been a librarian for many years and I quite agree with you.
I know of one occasion when the HSE wrote to a library authority over this issue.
There are some library tasks which are easier to do standing - it is easier to deal with large books when standing for instance.
Where I work we have two counter heights one suitable for sitting and one for standing.
Some staff choose not to work sitting down but that doesn't mean suitable seating shouldn't be provided.
Having said all that there are far worse problems affecting library assistants. Poorly designed counters which make it difficult to handle items; manual handling problems when clearing material onto high or low shelves; idiot library managers who think a book trolley is a display stand rather than a piece of work equipment; poorly designed software; agressive customers etc etc etc.
Also these days a lot or information work doesn't involve books so much as finding stuff on a computer.(which I will get back to doing when I've finished having a little moan). Is anyone suggesting that shouldn't be done sitting down?
Gilly
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John Campbell
I did not make myself clear . I have no problem with the DSE regs, the problem is when not using the computer they are expected to stand and try to look busy. I know they have other duties but I am talking about a relatively small local library where customers can be few and far between
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gilly Margrave
Hi Ken,
I'm not too sure when you last went into a library but having catalogued and input around 300 items in a week I think that would constitute DSE work!
Gilly
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By p winter
A safety advisor in a library that would be a really hard job
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mat
I think what John is trying to say is that his wife wants a job where she can sit down all day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Kevan Horne
I assume that John’s wife simply wishes to occasionally sit down when not involved in work requiring her to stand, not an unreasonable wish. The implication that she wants to have a job where she can sit all day, implying laziness, is unwarranted and rude.
I hope I can be at least constructive – Regulation 11 (3) of the Workplace health, safety and welfare Regulations specifically requires that a ‘suitable seat shall be provided for each person at work in the workplace whose work includes operations of a kind that the work (or a substantial part of it) can or must be done sitting down’.
The points to note are ‘shall’ and ‘can’ – I suggest that the work, or a substantial part of it, can be done sitting down and that a high seat may be suitable.
We had a similar problem with our Sports Training Village, where the manager thought it looked tidier if reception staff were standing for their 7 hour shifts, we used the section 11(3) to persuade him to provide chairs – result a happy (and still tidy) workforce.
Kevan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mat
As John pointed out himself it is a small library where customers are few and far between, therefore if as you suggest we give her a chair, she will be on it all day neglecting what she should be doing when customers are scarce, ie tidying the bookshelves, dusting and cleaning etc, after all shes an assistant not a manager.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gilly Margrave
Hi Mat,
You seem to have a funny idea about what Library Assistants actually do.
Yes they do put books in order but there is a limit to how long it takes to put a small library into order. In my distant past working in branch libraries a couple of people could exchange and put in order the entire stock of two libraries in half a day.
I think if I suggested my staff should do the cleaning not only would they not be well pleased but neither would the contract cleaners.
Other major activities include repairing books; replacing date labels; replacing book jackets; preparing materials for children's events etc etc all of which are best done sat down.
In many libraries the Assistants also create book displays; generate reading lists; undertake personal development activities and take time to familiarise themselves with useful web-based resources. Again all best done seated.
You may think all that's a lot to ask for a pittance of a wage but it's better than regarding the Library Assistant as some kind of book stamping automaton.
Gilly
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Folks
I beleive I heard the whir of a Shakespeare reel, possibly a multiplier, 30lb breaking strain with a nice garish pink lure and a spoon on a trace.
You wouldn't take the micky out of the Librarian fron the Unseen University, rip your arms off and beat you silly with the soggy end.
Oook!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Gilly Margrave
Oooook! my cover has been blown. Don't tell Ridcully or he'll be able to change me back into an ordinary wizard which would be a great pity as I find the long arms really useful.
Gilly
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By David MacFarlane
Mat,
Your message was a bit arrogant, was it not! So what if she is an assistant and not a manager! I am sure that she knows what her job description is and does not need to have it written in some forum in such a "throw away" fashion! Given the option of a chair for portions of their work would be the way ahead surely!? Its the managers job to make sure its used appropriately.
End of week rant...
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mat
Well Gilly
if as you say an assistant is responsible for all these tasks, then she wont have time to use a chair if one was provided.
Next you will be telling us she needs a padded heated toilet seat
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.