Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Admin  
#1 Posted : 26 September 2007 10:51:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By holmezy
Hi All,

I'm after some help....

I need some info that would back up my, and the Site Managers, request for a mewp (or similar) to reduce the risks of working at height. At the moment, (despite controls, training, supervision etc) some employees tend to use anything thats handy, ie usually ladders (that are normally in poor condition) or homemade work platforms which consist of FLT's and pallets.

Anyone got any details re prosections, injuries etc relative to poor working at height practises?

Thanks

Holmezy

and before anyone tells me about all the things we are doing wrong, both the site manager and myself are trying to change the lack of safety culture,,,,,,its a long slog!!
Admin  
#2 Posted : 26 September 2007 11:03:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By CFT
Not certain I can help with specific case law into practices such as you suggest, although one suspects there will be many! Just to satisfy my curiosity who is responsible for the training and assessment of selected work force?

Perhaps this is an area that yourself and the site Manager may be able to have some impetus?

I suspect you would prefer to start afresh from the very beginning, can you not, without having to use a veiled threat of potential prosecution for unsavoury and generally unsafe and irresponsible working practices? I refer to the 'pallets on CB FLT's scenario.

CFT
Admin  
#3 Posted : 26 September 2007 11:16:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By ddraigice
There are two issues here - trying to change the companies culture and the individuals - many of which would be sub-con I'd guess.

You could look at the PR snd notice database on the HSE web site for prosecutions on Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regs 1996 - regulations 5 and 6 and the WAH regs - serch on 4, 5, 6 and 7.

However, I think the change in culture should start at the site level with preventing people bringing the kind of kit you describe on to site in the first place.

You could also ask the local HSE inspector to site to help. They might not want to - depends on the inspector but they are more likely to be easier on the company in the first instance if they realise you are asking for help.
Admin  
#4 Posted : 26 September 2007 11:47:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Martin C
What does the method statement and risk assessment say? If they are contractors what is in the control of contractor paperwork about equipment to be used? You do have these pieces of paperwork in place don't you?

Martin
Admin  
#5 Posted : 26 September 2007 12:02:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Doug Kelly
Would it be helpful to focus on the likelihood of injury? It's never been very macho in the construction industry to be too concernedwith H & S, although the message is trickling through and we are getting better (I'd argue that we are a lot better in most areas). It's not very macho to be a casualty either though!

Maybe use the following figures:

2005/2006 in construction:-

59 deaths (41% falls) - no further comment required

3677 major injuries (25% falls) - maybe useful to include a definition of major injury, amputation, 24 hour hospital stay, fracture etc.
Approx. 7500 over-3-day injuries(how often can you afford 3 days off, gents/ladies?)

I used the following link for the above:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/st...ndustry/construction.htm

I hope this helps

Keep the faith and good luck
Admin  
#6 Posted : 26 September 2007 12:20:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By holmezy


Not withstanding all of the issues mentioned,,,,,,,which I am aware of and have bits of paper for.......

I was looking for something to convince my Directors to part with some dosh to buy a mewp instead of "doing what we've always done with ladders etc".

Holmezy
Admin  
#7 Posted : 26 September 2007 12:28:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Merlin
Maximum fine for poor work practice

A South Yorkshire construction company has been given the maximum fine by magistrates for dangerous work at height practice – even though no incident or injury occurred.

i have email the full article to you from the sheffield star
Admin  
#8 Posted : 26 September 2007 12:39:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Ron Hunter
Of course you don't have to buy a MEWP, you can hire one (complete with training for your people).

If your culture doesn't lend support to the safety argument, perhaps a cost benefit analysis or "time and trouble" approach could win the day?

The bottom line is within the heirarchy schedule in WAHR - seems your Directors aren't too interested in that though!
Admin  
#9 Posted : 26 September 2007 12:42:00(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Admin

Posted By Doug Kelly
You could point out that HSE Construction have been targeting house build and refurbishment projects recently and because of the success of this blitz (they prefer to use 'initiative') I understand it is to be repeated in October. You only have to look at the 'Notices' section of the HSE website to see what has happened. The chances of a visit, I would suggest, have increased quite a bit. If you haven't already done so, maybe the figures via this link could be passed under the relevant noses:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/co...tripsandfalls/update.htm

Directors - mmmmmm......
Users browsing this topic
Guest
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.