Posted By Adrian Clifton
Crim

I for one did notice this chap on the bus.

Yet another example of; 'It's a one off and will only take a few minutes to do' approach that all to frequently ends in tragedy. It really does demonstrate that there are employers out there who are willing to gamble with peoples lives or just do not think about the risks that this approach exposes workers to.

I hope that an HSE Inspector has picked up on this and prosecutes the employer under Section 3 (obviously done without a suitable or sufficient risk assessment) of the Management Regs, HASWA Section 2 for not ensuring the health, safety and welfare of employees and the apparent absence of a safe system of work, the Work at Height Regs 2005 for failling to prevent the risk of a fall that may cause serious injury or death. I am sure there must be more to hit them with.

WAKE UP OUT THERE!

Friday rant now over.

Posted By MT
I didn't see the news report, but have to agree about DIY programmes. A certain one on BBC1 is particularly bad and there are unsafe practices evident in every episode.

Posted By Crim
All agree so far.

Everywhere I go I see people working at height in full public view, without full regard of current regulations. From plastic cladding/window replacement. to hedge trimming, and general building works. Loft conversions are popular at present.

I agree with the comment re TV DIY programmes as well.

Wouldn't it be nice if the HSE would pick up on all these issues and make public statements that such people will be seen, investigated and prosecuted whenever possible. Once a few examples have been made we may see a change in working practices?

Then we may become more willing to accept the HSE's opinions when we are criticised ourselves.

Posted By Andy Brazier
I had cause to read the HSE's regulatory impact assessment of the work at height regulations before they came in to force. In this the claim was that the regulations would have little impact on window cleaning because in their survey of window cleaners (from memory 3 were interviewed) none were using ladders for access. This did not match anywhere near my observations!

Posted By steven bentham
Crim
Nice of you to bring it up.

I don't suppose you were out helping after the accident; sounds like you were nice and warm watching it on TV.

I am sure the HSE will find your comments and the others most informative.

I am surprised the moderator has not removed this posting.

Posted By Edward Shyer
Hi all

Having seeing the news programme and the incident mentioned, at the same time the fire service was using thermal imaging cameras to try and locate people that may have still been trapped inside the bus.

I think under the circumstances that the HSE, Police, and emergency services were busy with other things than an individual placing a canvass sheet around the bus (no I do not condone this behaviour).

To expect (nay demand) that the HSE prosecutes the individual and companies concerned under any H&S legislation that springs to mind goes to show how our profession can be narrow minded at times.

A quiet word with the individual and their employer about this and advice on future safety practices seem to spring to my mind.

Regards

Ted

Posted By Crim
Ted,

I do agree with your "quiet word" approach but who will have that quiet word? If nobody then the guy will just carry on regardless.

I was at home watching TV but do have 25 years fire brigade experience behind me, some attending RTA's just like that bus crash where people were given first aid after being rescued from the tangles of twisted metal etc.

Perhaps the Moderators believe this thread is a worthwhile topic for discussion, (free speech and all that).

Is this a Friday rant or what?

Thanks

Posted By db
This is fantastic. So to sum up - Its all the HSE's fault. If only those inspectors would get up off their behinds and do stuff in their own back yards to the small cowboys instead of just giving prohibition notices to the rest of us who should really know better.

All they do is drive past these people doing dodgy things? Perhaps. But what are you doing about it? " We have all seen it" and yet you are driving past and doing nothing but you think you can slag off someone who had they seen it, in my experience will stop and do something about it. There are very few HSE inspectors driving about to see this stuff.

If you see it, call your local office to make a complaint. The thing is, there are people breaking the law and doing stupid things all over the country every second of the day and there'll never be enough inspectors - and there definitely aren't at the moment.

Do something about it. Write to your MP - anything but spout biased unsubstantiated drivel about inspectors.

Posted By BB
I understand and partly agree with all the views in this thread but the comment aimed at dodgy DIY programmes and the like......give me strength......

...."Wouldn't it be nice if the HSE would pick up on all these issues and make public statements that such people will be seen, investigated and prosecuted whenever possible. Once a few examples have been made we may see a change in working practices?".........

ERR. NO. IT WOULD NOT BE NICE! Why? Because this would be used to fuel the 'bonkers-conkers' brigade for years! Besides, 'nice' is a awful word and should be banned from the English dictionary along with 'lovely'.

When dealing with all things media, touchy-feely works best. A quiet word, understated persuasion, it has to be their idea if they improve - such is the fickle ego of journos and the like.

Anyway, what do I care? I'm off to the Alps for two weeks, to slide down a very high mountain wearing very slippery footwear, probably under the influence of some alcohol.......while I've still got the chance before a bunch of clipboard fascists turn up and ban it or global warming renders us snowless - which will also not be 'nice' or 'lovely'.

Posted By db
Lets get this into perspective. This happens every day throughout the country. If HSE were to prosecute for this then there'd be an outcry - not least on this forum no doubt - why arent they prosecuting every lorry driver who gets on the back of a container or wagon? Or even on roofs etc. etc. Why stop at this - what about all the other breaches of legislation that are happening?

The people you get through to are office staff with a procedure to follow - one of which is to ascertain the location of the incident to find out which office and division to pass it to. They have a large number of complaints to follow up and there have to be priorities - I'm sure they'd like to find out where the accident happened, who the company was involved and follow up but there's a limit to the resources. As there's no accident the chances are it will not be a priority.

Again, this shouldnt be the case but it is and there will be even more cuts over the next few months. Unfortunately, there are fewer inspectors than ever and the chance of coming across a dangerous incident let alone having the time to do anything about it unless there's an accident will become a bigger issue.