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fairground42  
#1 Posted : 27 August 2019 11:30:08(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
fairground42

Hello, just looking for peoples thoughts on the above; An engineer needs to effect a repair to plant or equipment because it has broken down in an area where there are hazards to health e.g. low level radiation and the presence of asbestos in the work area. The engineer is employed by the plant owner and would be working under the remit of the site owners (Nuclear energy industry).  My questions are:

1. What duty of care (beyond ensuring that a safe system of work is in place with suitable RPE and PPE, provided by the site owner) would the engineer's employer need to consider?

2. Can the engineer refuse to attend the site?

3. Would some formal training be required (for the engineer) before attending the site?

Steve e ashton  
#2 Posted : 27 August 2019 19:43:55(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve e ashton

Many many moons ago.... BNFL (and DSRL) had extremely rigorous (bureaucratic) regimes which dictated not just which 'i''s had to be dotted and which 't' s needed to be crossed, but also the font size, the colour and the colour density of the dots and crosses before anyone or any company was permitted on site. If your guy is needed for a specific task, then a short duration fully accompanied pass may be available. Without that, then there will be (were) all sorts of artificial hoops barriers and obstacles to be overcome by your company before anyone can even get on site. Including security clearance, evidence of competence (to their standards only, no equivalents recognised) and a fixed minimum ratio of h&s full time staff on site at all times your guy(s) are working... Which at the lunatic fringes used to require one full time dedicated h&s professional with each team of two window cleaners.... I developed a deep and abiding dislike of work in the industry because of the utterly inflexible jobsworth attitude of most (not all) of those I encountered. Somebody had clearly read "so far as is reasonably practicable" and decided "not having any of that on my site". Things may have changed. I hope they have. Your best bet is to ask your client sponsoring manager who will (should) be able to give you a list of all relevant requirements and restrictions. And explain if any can be relaxed to allow the work to commence before hell freezes over. Sorry, I've just found my Mr grumpy hat after missing it for about four years. (I've been retired four years)
thanks 1 user thanked Steve e ashton for this useful post.
fairground42 on 28/08/2019(UTC)
RayRapp  
#3 Posted : 28 August 2019 07:56:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

It's been a long time since I worked in the nuclear (weapons) industry but I would think much the same still continues. Any visiting contractor would be provided an induction, which should provide as much information as they need to know about the area they will be working in and the necessary precautions to be taken.

As for the employer of the contractor, apart for supplying the RAMS, information should be provided in advance by the client which should allieviate any concerns. If not, something is not right.   

thanks 1 user thanked RayRapp for this useful post.
fairground42 on 28/08/2019(UTC)
HSSnail  
#4 Posted : 29 August 2019 07:36:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

Sorry i know its not helpful to just post regulations, but in this case i think Regulation 12 of the Management of Health and Safety At Work Regulations covers the situation you have described.

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