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Safety Smurf  
#41 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:29:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

barnaby wrote:
IanS wrote:
Not being picky Claire, but you have risk assessed a stapler and found it to be, quite rightly in most people's view, "not significant!".
Yes, and I think that is all Chris was saying rather than being risk averse (in this instance).
That's certainly how I read it and besides, it would depend on the type of stapler. Some staplers are powered and can punch through hundreds of pages in one stroke. My staple gun can fire staples out to 15 yards!
118ncg  
#42 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:51:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
118ncg

Stapler v Gun Common sense tell me which one I would risk assess.. I would like to think others know the differance between dangerous and trival. If you RA a basic stapler you are in the wrong business
firesafety101  
#43 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:53:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

At last I get support from people who see sense. When is a stapler not a stapler? That could be a very good question? I agree that the stapler has been assessed, otherwise you would not see it as a problem (risk assessment I mean not the stapler). Safety Smurf you raise a very good issue in that some staplers are powered, and if HSE were looking at office risk assessments I am sure they would want to see that type of stapler assessed, and some main findings in writing. I bet your stapler can take more than an eye out! I still say it wasn't me that brought the stapler in to this discussion.
Steve Sedgwick  
#44 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:53:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve Sedgwick

Ptaylor, could I have a copy of you document mapping exercise please. It sounds very interesting thanks Steve
Phil John  
#45 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:56:56(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Phil John

I mentioned stapler in post 16. To give an idea of what (in my eyes) is not required to be risk assessed; also using pen or pencil or carrying a ream of paper. We as health and safety practitioners know what requires risk assessing as we are competent (hopefully) and put risk into perspective. Please do not dome us by saying to non-health & safety persons that everything has to be risk assessed or the slippery slope of recovery begins all over again. (Hanging baskets, conkers bonkers, pancake racing, donkey derby's etc etc). Phil
118ncg  
#46 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:58:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
118ncg

Safety Smurf wrote:
barnaby wrote:
IanS wrote:
Not being picky Claire, but you have risk assessed a stapler and found it to be, quite rightly in most people's view, "not significant!".
Yes, and I think that is all Chris was saying rather than being risk averse (in this instance).
That's certainly how I read it and besides, it would depend on the type of stapler. Some staplers are powered and can punch through hundreds of pages in one stroke. My staple gun can fire staples out to 15 yards!
You must have been messing about to find this out
Safety Smurf  
#47 Posted : 24 February 2010 16:58:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

ChrisBurns wrote:
I bet your stapler can take more than an eye out!
I only ever seem to hit targets in the corners. ;-)
Moderator 3  
#48 Posted : 24 February 2010 17:08:48(UTC)
Rank: Moderator
Moderator 3

Folks - Put the stapler down carefully, raise your hands above you head and step back slowly. The topic is NOT about staplers, they are incidental to the question which is about Risk Assessment. Any further comment about staplers and I will personally staple the topic locked. Permanently. Jon
firesafety101  
#49 Posted : 24 February 2010 18:17:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/supplies/8b70/ Yes it just had to come, checkout this link to the safer world of the staple-less stapler. It's amazing what you find when you google.
Rick Warner  
#50 Posted : 24 February 2010 18:43:52(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Rick Warner

Risk assessments should be carried out, when significant Hazards have been identified, which have associated Risks to the Health & Safety of employes and non employees, ie: Working at Height, Asbestos, Slips, Trips and Falls, Noise, Vibration, Dust etc, we should not over complicate the Risk Assessment proceedure, but it is a vital part of ensuring Health & Safety. As Professional/Competent people, we should be able to identify when a Risk Assessment is required, not for example, when using a pen, or stapler, that is simply rediculous and would not be deemed to be reasonably practicable. But where there is a significant Risk, that the untrained or even unaware person may be harmed or in fact cause harm to others, then a Risk Assessment must be carried out and associated control measures implemented.
Jon B  
#51 Posted : 24 February 2010 22:21:05(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

ptaylor14 wrote:
I am doing a document mapping exercise with a FAQ section for managers in regards to H/S. One of the questions asked was "when do I need to carry out a risk assessment" I would be interested to hear your response to this question.
Taking the question at face value. Is there already a risk assessment in place? Yes? - you don't need to do one - you may need to review it buts thats another matter entirely No? - You need to do one - BUT a. no identifiable hazards - process stops - it's in your head b. hazards present but insignificant risks - process stops - again - in your head c. Significant risks - control, record, review etc The excercise is aimed at managers, they should hopefully be able to grasp the concept that we (almost) unconsciously risk assess and automatically discount the insignificant (using a pen and paper!, or even the bog standard stapler!). I think therefore it is the case (though we may hate to admit it) that we do assess everthing but but disgard the trivial unless you are unfortunate enough to exist in the organisation that has a documented assessment detail control of paper cuts etc!! I'm new to this so am prepared to be constructively criticised but only after and appropriate risk assessment and agreement with client. I hope the construction doesn't use staples as they usually rust and can be quite sharp - apparently
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