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#1 Posted : 07 February 2007 12:35:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Hi all,

Most football supporters will recognise the above latin which, loosely translated, is "nothing but the best will do".

I am aware that some people out there will object to me posting this but I believe it should apply to every safety professional, not just to my favourite football team.

The recent discussion topic re the safety person prosecuted for shaving while driving is one example where the required level of professionalism was not achieved and I have been made a saint by one member following a reply I made.

While on my soap box I would just like to say that if everyone tried their best and performed to the best of their ability the world would be a safer place and the general public would be much happier. I am currently sick and tired of receiving below standard service from all areas, and do endeavour to give the best service myself to all my customers.

End of message - over and out!

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#2 Posted : 07 February 2007 13:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jim Walker
Crim,

I agree with you 100%

We should always set ourselves a high standard and lead by example.

I however recognise I do not always meet my own high standards and not to recognise the fact would be hypocrisy.

The incident that started all this off, falls way below my own standard and I don't for one minute condone it. But we have all (when sat behind the wheel) done something approaching the recklessness of the person under discussion

Being human and dealing with humans we have to recognise we all at times fail. A lynch mob solves nothing.
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#3 Posted : 07 February 2007 14:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jimmy R
Well said Crim.
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#4 Posted : 07 February 2007 15:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tabs
Yes, let's at least try.

Myself, I will always try, but being a mere human I am almost certain to disappoint sometimes - but it will not stop me trying.

Like you.
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#5 Posted : 07 February 2007 16:02:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
"errare humanum est"

"tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito"

As we have gone all classical you can, no doubt, translate these quotes yourself.

My own take on this is that:
Perfection is an ideal not a reality. To strive for it is laudable, to fail is more common. If every professional who ever made one mistake was "struck off" then there would not be many professionals about.

Response should be considered in full evidenced knowledge of circumstance and not based on a media report.
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#6 Posted : 07 February 2007 16:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Safetynut
"Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto"

The safety of the people is the supreme law
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#7 Posted : 07 February 2007 16:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Dowan
Crim I agree , how about starting by using your name ?
Dave
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#8 Posted : 07 February 2007 17:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Is this from a small club?? Topical news
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#9 Posted : 07 February 2007 18:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Yes Dave, even smaller now, funny how the small clubs can always trip up the larger ones, although I think some lip biting went on before the "BIG" deal went through?

Other Dave, is there a problem with us, yes US, not using our real names on this forum? if there is just say and we will all become "real people". (That's the name of a really fabulous Indy band from Bootle by the way, check them out).

There have been some really positive responses to my posting but also some not so positive.

What I would like to know is why can't everyone strive to give the best service first time every time. Some people just accept that failure sometimes happens - well why accept this?

Lynch mobs - we can all do without and also knee jerk reactions to something that has hurt most of us. Yes I am human and class myself as one of the many H & S professionals who is affected by this foolish, momentary lack of discipline. (The shaving incident).



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#10 Posted : 07 February 2007 18:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By steve jones
Crim,

If my memory serves me correctly, is that the club motto for Everton F.C.?
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#11 Posted : 07 February 2007 18:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Yes Steve.
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#12 Posted : 07 February 2007 19:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
Crim, the point I was making is that I do not see striving to achieve excellence whilst recognising the human propensity to fail as being mutually exclusive. They are inextricably linked. To understand this, in my view, is to open doors not close them or limit achievement in any way. Thus increasing our chances of reaching the ideal that you propose and I support.
Of course, Victor Meldrew felt the same about service and standards and look what happened to him! A lesson for us all there somewhere.
By the way, your use of a nom-de-plume doesn't bother me. I could call myself Harry Featherstone and no-one except the webteam and mods would know it was a nom-de-plume. And, of course, Crim could be your real name??
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#13 Posted : 07 February 2007 19:57:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Leese
The difficulty I have with this is where do we draw the line, and do we discriminate within each area?

For example, careless driving covers a multitude of offences. Does that mean a person committing an offence under this heading is guilty of not being a professional? Does it mean a professional body has to examine all the circumstance to then decide a course of action.

Or does it mean a knee jerk reaction when an offence become headline news?

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#14 Posted : 07 February 2007 20:42:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
Peter,
I think that codes 8 and 18 of the IOSH code of conduct might apply to an IOSH member if the circumstances as reported by the media are factual and accurste. I hasten to add that I am not alleging any breach or making any complaint against anyone in responding here. Merely trying to highlight the fact on this open forum that IOSH does have standards and codes that cover such circumstances.
These include complaints/disciplinary procedures which can lead to formal review by Council or a committee appointed by Council; or for more serious cases, a disciplinary committee formed of both IOSH members and independent persons and which is chaired by an independent barrister of at least ten years standing.
Where a case such as that reported might end up is beyond my ken and I make no comment on that whatsoever.
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#15 Posted : 07 February 2007 20:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Leese
But the point is, a speeding conviction is a criminal offence. So do we have a policy to discriminate between 5mph over and 30mph. And surely speeding can be just as dangerous as careless driving.

See the reasoning behind this?

It's fine (pun intended) accusing people of being non-professional but only if we have a set criteria to judge against.

Because an offence has hit the headlines it doesn't necessarily make it more of a crime.

One could say it is the knee jerk that is the crime.

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#16 Posted : 07 February 2007 21:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
How did you guess that my real name is Victor Meldrew?

Joking of course but I have beed told in the past that there is some of him in me. There was in my dad and it must have been handed down to me.

I have to say that I don't see failure as not achieving the right result in spite of putting in every effort possible. In that case people deserve a pat on the back for effort and I do praise people for effort. (well done - hard luck - better luck next time etc.) I am a qualified sports coach and recognise that people need rewarding and that a kind encouraging word spurs them on to do more.

What I don't like is the acceptance that failure is inevitable - because it just isn't!

I suppose the old saying that "to fail to plan is to plan to fail" could come in here, and "the more you put in the more you get out". Perhaps we just need to try harder, (me included).

Thanks for all the comments, it's all good stuff!

Back to the footy now, second half just starting.





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#17 Posted : 07 February 2007 21:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
Peter, yes I agree wholeheartedly with your comments including the concern over knee jerking. The term "commensurate with the risk" might be stretched to fit your points?
I don't know how those who are asked to judge such matters determine where the line falls. I might guess it would be similar to most such judgements where precedent, careful assessment of the facts in each individual case balanced with sensible judgement and a pragmatic outlook would be good tools.
I could speculate on where the line might be but one must, I think, trust in those that are appointed to "judge" in such cases, just as one must trust that members respect and follow the codes of conduct.
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#18 Posted : 09 February 2007 10:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By Christopher
Judges are very much influenced by the information put before them, and in particular by those who are submitting the evidence. As a former UNISON rep. I am only too aware from the cases I have been involved with, how much negotiating takes places before any hearings. Think CPS! Outcomes can vary from, we need this person/popular with the senior management (it was a simple error of judgement), this person will create a lot of problems if we come down too harshly/has no backing in the organisation we can easily get rid of them. The individual is creating too many waves, even if they are correct, this is an opportunity to get rid of them. Influenced by the media etc.

When I was doing my teaching practice, we were observed for personal mannnerisms. This is what we do without thinking, and can be misconstrued by your audience. Possibly the case in this incident.

In the Health Service, patients die through negligence. In the police, persons get shot. In the services, soldiers are killed. There is very little accountability.

Can we all remember that this is someone's livelihood/live/family that is involved here. It would be shameful if IOSH and its members were to use him as a scapegoat.

I asked in a previous thread whether people would leave if they knew that their organisation was acting unsafely. Many people wouldn't. In reality they were effectively turning a blind eye to breaches of statutory legislation. Does this make them any less of a criminal by letting those unsafe practices continue.



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#19 Posted : 09 February 2007 10:11:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Christopher, thanks for your input here especially the mention of Court.

We need to ensure consistency in performance and always strive for the best and not accept that failure is an option!

I remember your other thread and did contribute myself and said I drop clients that do not follow my guidance.

It must be good to know I am consistant?

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#20 Posted : 09 February 2007 10:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By J Knight
Hi Folks,

Agree, its not up to us to judge (for which I breathe a heartfelt sigh of relief), but the point about an event being notorious just because it hit the headlines, and that that shouldn't matter, is actually questionable. If something is deemed to have brought the profession (or the business or whatever) into disrepute it almost by definition has to be public, the more public the airing the bigger the impact on reputation. That sounds arbitrary, I know, but its true,

John
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#21 Posted : 09 February 2007 11:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Leese
'...but the point about an event being notorious just because it hit the headlines, and that that shouldn't matter, is actually questionable...'

Not in my book. If the same offence is to be treated differently because one was publicised and the other wasn't, then THAT is questionable.

We come back to knee jerk reactions - and that is even more worrying when there appears to be support out there.
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#22 Posted : 09 February 2007 11:34:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
Guys, isn't the point that there are two codes involved here. One deals with disrepute and the other with criminal offences??
As Peter says an offence exists regardless of publicity and could, therefore, lead to disciplinary action of itself.
The wider publicity, which only occurred as a result of the type of offence and the link between individual and profession, could lead to an allegation of disrepute??
A difficult area in which I consider myself fortunate in lacking any wisdom to judge.
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#23 Posted : 09 February 2007 11:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By ITK
I was flashed by a speed camera doing 37mph in a 30mph zone should I be thrown out of the institution?
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#24 Posted : 09 February 2007 11:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Christopher
Hello, hello, hello

My posting has now been removed. I haven't received an email to explain why. Moderator can I have an email or a comment please.
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#25 Posted : 09 February 2007 12:17:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Leese
Perhaps the next logical step is to put up a criterion for offences to be dealt with by professional bodies, and then ask all members to submit details when they commit one of them!

That way it is level playing field, at least it is for the ones playing the game. And who don't get caught.

:-)))) ((((-:
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#26 Posted : 09 February 2007 12:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
ITK,
Why that particular example? Is it grounded in the belief that inadvertent offence is lesser than deliberate violation? Perhaps that coupled with the remaining social acceptance that speeding is somehow not really criminal?
I might speculate with you about such a point.
But please can we remember that the code says "may lead to discipline" and that consideration must, therefore, have many stages before taking that approach. I am not aware that anyone has suggested "chucking out" members on the simple standpoint of having committed an offence.
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#27 Posted : 09 February 2007 12:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By J Knight
Peter,

Reputation is necessarily a public thing; bringing into disrepute involves publicity. That's all I'm saying, not whether its morally right or wrong, not whether something is better or worse or whatever. Reputation is how people view us (or anybody else for that matter), and public events change that perception, private events don't. While my partner was a physio students some other students were drummed out of the profession for snowboarding naked at a Ski resort. If they'd done the same think in the privacy of their own back garden it wouldn't have been a problem, but they did it in public, so the reputation of physios was (apparently) involved.

Whether it was a public affair doesn't affect in any way the gravity or otherwise of what was done, but it does change the effect on reputation,

John
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#28 Posted : 09 February 2007 12:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By ITK
Pete48, have you ever exceeded the speed limit, or just not been caught.

If the answer to both questions is no, then I congratulate you.

I reiterate my former posting to you, should I be thrown out of the institution?

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#29 Posted : 09 February 2007 12:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By Peter Leese
Thanks ITK that's the point I was trying to make.

Speeding is a criminal offence - and dangerous. So the next step is to apply the persons profession to the crime and to take other action eg professional censure.

But only if it comes to the attention of the press?

Speeding is a crime, just the same as careless driving, driving without an MOT etc. If we (as a profession) take offence at just one offender because of the adverse publicity then we are being hypocritical.
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#30 Posted : 09 February 2007 13:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
ITK,
You know the answer to that question.
I don't know the answer to your other question. However, if I were ever to be seated in judgement, I would sincerely hope that my judgement would be "of course not" based on a single offence with a speed csamera, no injuries, no other offences etc.

Peter,
I think John has already illustrated my view in his last posting with regard to the impact of publicity.

I am then left idly wondering what the headline would look like when it said "-----condones repeated speeding offences by hundreds of its members without taking any action"

No please don't!!

As I have said difficult, very difficult
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#31 Posted : 09 February 2007 13:27:00(UTC)
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Posted By Crim
Thank you everyone for contributing to the discussion, however I think we are way off the original point now.

The intention was to discuss doing the best we can and not accepting that failure is an option.

I think we can close this thread now - thanks once again for all your contributions.

Chris
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