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
craigroberts76  
#1 Posted : 23 August 2021 10:18:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
craigroberts76

I've just been informed that a site we're working on has no working lifts and they wont be commissioned until the end of the project. the tech called to say that its 19 floors to the work area, there is a hoist to take equipment to the 7th and then they have to walk with it. They will be requiring a 110v transformer, leads, compressor, sander, tool bag etc.

We've contacted the site to state that this isnt suitable to be told thats the way it is.... and this is a huge UK construction company running it.

Management are under the impression that because other workers havent complained it fine. I wouldnt like to walk up 19 floors at least 3 times a day and 3 down (factoring in breaks).

Edited by user 23 August 2021 17:15:32(UTC)  | Reason: Typos

peter gotch  
#2 Posted : 23 August 2021 14:32:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi Craig

Difficult not least since the prime duty of care is on you as the employer of the technician.....such that you cannot bring any conflict between your contract with the Contractor (or someone else) and your statutory duty into play. Can't contract out of the statutory duty.

So, from my understanding of your posting. People walk up the stairs to level 7, collect tools and materials from goods hoist there and then carry them to floors above.

So, the immediate Q is how does someone safely climb the stairs with all this stuff?

As regards climbing up and down three times a day, this is very inefficient. Perhaps the Principal Contractor might like to set up full welfare facilities including a Michelin starred restaurant at Level 7 and the workers could all dine with great views?

OK, that might sound somewhat light hearted, but the point is one of efficiency. Not having a quick way of getting people up and down costs a LOT of money for all those with any workers on the site, including the Principal Contractor. Does the client like walking up 19 floors when doing a site visit?

The permanent lifts may already be up and running but not unusually people don't want to get them dirty. There is a fairly simple solution to this. Give them a thorough clean before final handover!

craigroberts76  
#3 Posted : 23 August 2021 14:39:47(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
craigroberts76

totally with you on this, we work on lots of sites with lifts and they're covered in correx whilst trades use them. Its not hard, and the PC is not taking into account physical ability of workers of all ages, I've never come across this before. We have have had an issue with 12 floors but the equipment could be send up via the lift, which was a bit of a saving grace, but not much.

 I'm asthmatic and I'd die trying 19 floors in 1 go in boots and PPE.

Edited by user 23 August 2021 17:14:48(UTC)  | Reason: typos

Kate  
#4 Posted : 23 August 2021 16:02:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

Doesn't it cost more in time to have everyone walking up and down the stairs, presumably taking rest breaks on the way up?

Users browsing this topic
Guest (3)
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.