Hello.

I work in a health and safety position in my company and should, come May, be GradIOSH.

Whilst walking down my local highstreet today I witness a local builder putting his staff and the public at risk. Basically, he is doing some lead work and high level painting to the first and second floor areas above a shop. All the work is being done off ladders. There are about four guys working for long periods off these ladders. All the ladder are footed on the back of a lorry, they are not tied in any manner. The area between the lorry and the shop is being used by a high volume of pedestrians. The lorry is in danger of getting clipped by another vehicle as the high street is fairly narrow. The lead rolls and paint tins are being held in the hands of the workers as they carry on their tasks. The risk of falls from height and falls of materials from height are high.

What should I have done about this situation? What would you have done? This building company is nothing to do with me but I feel responsible for the safety of his workers and the public?

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do?

Well done, that is more that I would have expected. Contacting the local HSE would have been my reaction.

Nice thread. I'm sure many h&s practitioners have faced a similar dilemma at some point. I think the right approach is to discuss it with the person in charge. However, one does run the risk of getting abuse or perhaps a smack on the nose. Second course of action is to inform the authorities. Well done you.