Posted By Gordon Thelwell
Friday answers only? Alrighty then!

For one day, take away all things in the workplace that H&S state they must/should have.

No heating, close the toilets, no ppe, no lighting (candles will do), no warm drinks, tell them they are not insured and explain 'Non Volenti Injuria' to them all. You can guess the rest.

Have fun!

Gordon.

Posted By Merv Newman
Somewhere on this or another computer I have a copy of a company policy dating from Victorian times. (office staff)

It regulates clothing worn, hours of work, the floor sweeping rota, bringing in coal for the office stove, morning prayers and "gentlemen, for their convenience, may use the far end of the garden. It is expected that this area remain an an hygienic state"

And H&S has always been a complicated affair. There simply so many subjects you have to cover simultaneously. Remember Cooper's "reciprocating safety culture model" ?

Organisation (safety management system)reacting with and to the work environment which reacts with end to people who react with and to the SMS

All quite vibrant really. I just can't stop quivering when I think about it. Or do I mean tremble ?

Merv

Posted By Dan Lynch
Who needs safety?? as the previous post stated, think of all the money that you could safe. Heating bill gone, no breaks and longer working week means more production. WORK faster to keep warm.

But you ask how about all the accidents, Solution: in your safety policy state that no one is allowed to have an injury or illness at work.

OK, what happens if there is an accident, refer to HR and let them deal with the breach of the policy! Breach of policy = sacking. As they were about to have the accident, policy broken so sacked before the accident. No accidents to employees, no RIDDOR reporting and no problems!!!

But wait, how about unfair dismissal, insurance claims, identifying new employees to replace the sacked one and training costs not to mention all the cleaning of bodily fluids after the accidents. Therefore you need to increase the size of the HR, the cleaning and the training department. Insurance cost go up and the company is in financial trouble.

But wait there is an answer, SAFETY

Posted By Merv Newman
Going back to my youth doing H&S for a well known American company, they used to circulate all LTIs and non-work related violence-involving (ie car accident, murder) deaths.

If memory serves correctly (and I'm not that sure today) the most common cause of death reported was "domestic violence"

Don't be late home tonight

Merv

Posted By John_Webster
Fitzy: Looks like you still have another ten year's catcching up to do yourself!! :-)

Posted By Merv Newman
Employers are no longer allowed to whitewash. That is strictly reserved for government inquiries.

And I think that even they are rationed. No more than three whitewashes per year before you become unelectable.

Merv

Monitors please note : for purposes of the aug, the above is a non-political statement applying as it does to any political party within living memory. And that takes me back to when churchill was a lad (almost)

Posted By Brian John Abbs
Merv
Are these the rules to which you refer?

This firm has reduced the hours of work, and the clerical staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

Clothing must be of sober nature. The clerical staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright colors, nor will they wear hose unless in good repair.

Overshoes and topcoats may not be worn in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.

A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each member of the clerical staff bring four pounds of coal each day during the cold weather.

No member of the clerical staff may leave the room without permission from the supervisor.

No talking is allowed during business hours.
The craving for tobacco, wine, or spirits is a human weakness, and as such is forbidden to all members of the clerical staff.

Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but work will not on any account cease!!!.

Members of the clerical staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available on application to the supervisor.

The supervisor will nominate a senior clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the main office and the supervisor's private office. All boys and juniors will report to him 40 minutes before prayers and will remain after closing hours for similar work. Brushes, brooms, scrubbers, and soap are provided by the owners.

The owners recognize the generosity of the new labor laws, but will expect a great rise in output of work to compensate for these near Utopian conditions.