Posted By Andy Walker
Without really wanting to start an everybody picks on us/H&S pettyness thread I've just had the following discussion with a work collegue.

A relative of his is in hospital after suffering a stroke. When he visited last night there was a notice above the bed stating "Due to Health and Safety Regulations only 3 items may be placed on the bedside cabinet" and signed by the ward administrator.

As his relative had a water jug, glass, heart monitor and a box of tissues, the tissues had to be removed.

Could anybody enlighten me as to which Regulation has been breached?

Please discuss

Andy

Posted By Lilian McCartney
I think they mean local procedure rather than a specific regulation which is often a common misconception.
To me it seems strange to have a limit on the actual number of items but having recently been in hospital and noticing how difficult it is for staff to clean locker tops with loads of stuff on I can see why they've decided on something like this (though it doesn't sound too practical).
When I was in hospital I had, two lots of lowers, pot plant, hankies, loads of cards etc.
Water and jug were on table.
I removed the floweres to the window sill and changed the cards to three/four a day - to help the cleaner as they were very busy.
I would have thought they should have a bit of room for change as hankies needed as other stuff is as well. It's not as if it was a load of unneccesary things

Posted By Salus
Hi Andy, probally not instigated by the actual people at the "coal face"

More likely by senior management who do not know what they are doing (e.g. lack of training / experiance)but have had a lot of input from others involved in the wards procedures. They then justify their actions by quoting H & S; nothing specific. Most employees already have a negative attitude towards H & S, have very limited knowledge of H & S so will not question but believe them.

Honest i am not that old but there was a qoute from the First World War which sort of reminds me of situations like this,
"Lions led by Donkeys"

Posted By Mick Day
You guys are not up to date on your H & S.

This is a clear and blatant breach of the "No more than 3 items
on a Hospital Bedside Table Regulations 2000 ( As amended a further 27 times ) by the Silly People from the
Silly Policies Division of the National Assembly of Regional Health Authorities.

Hope this gives you the answer you were looking for.

You may wish to use this in any NEBOSH exam as the answer they search for the question they give may score several points.

I also ask the question, were any of the articles classed as work equipment ...........? PUWER being brought into play. Suitable and Sufficient..........., or something on those lines................!

Posted By Brett Day

John

Fair point but why not explain as the hospitals I have been to have said - Due to Hygiene and allergy reasons. It's a lot more honest and explains the thinking behind the ban rather than it's elf n safety.