Posted By JimE
Hi fellow safety bods,
I am all alone in this factory as far as elf & safety goes (aw!poor soul I hear you cry)and I just felt the need to hear others thoughts on a situation I have.A machine operator suffered a neuroligal problem including memory loss and co-ordination troubles about two weeks ago.She said her G.P. advised her to carry on as normal as poss cos she has "lost all confidence".Her supervisor saw fit to move her away from the machines to a packing area with two other women but said he hadn't told management (who are now all away until Thursday!! I am concerned as a first aider who may be called to attend to her and as the factory H&S advisor trying to protect the employee and employer.What thoughts folks???
JimE

Posted By Peter Moran
Although the supervisor acted quite responsibly in providing the employee with alternative work, this should really have been carried out under a proper return to work policy so the facts could be established and the future risk to both the employee and his/her fellow workmates assessed.

Posted By Lilian McCartney
Loss of confidence and co-ordination can mean that operating machinery isn't exactly right just now - depending on what the tasks etc are.

Do a specific risk assessment fo rthe person, get Occ health (GP might not be aware of H&S job of implications).

Work out plan of action with employee, supervisor, HR involved.

Have you a counselling service?
Loss of confidence can be more risky if you don't trust yourself to do the right things and some simple techniques are really beneficial at this time.

Hope all works out well

Lilian