Work experience H&S!!!!!!
Discussion
One of my businesses is a very busy, City Centre Martial Arts studio.
A young black belt asked if he could do a week's work experience with us in the summer as he intends to join our ranks in a year or two.
I said yes, thinking it would be quite straightforward, like when I was 16 (15 years ago).
Last week I got a call from Ray, some aggressive H&S inspector who it turns out is employed by the lad's school to inspect businesses where the kids will work.
Ray told me that he needed to come down, inspect our risk assessments, fire safety stuff (which is weird as we have our own FS guy who gives us a certificate each year), photocopy our CRB checks (and all the above stuff) and finally, interview our entire staff about our safety procedures for an hour!!
Now, I am all for helping out with kids' development, but there is no way on earth I am going to take 8 man hours our of a day for all my staff to sit with this idiot (8 members of staff for the one hour meeting, just to be clear).
I told him that he could do one and the school would have to find somewhere else for the lad to do his WE. At the end of the day, having the kid about will cost my staff loads of time and me money anyhow, without this nonsense.
When did the world go so crazy?
Is this the norm these days or is this particular school OTT in its attitude?
A young black belt asked if he could do a week's work experience with us in the summer as he intends to join our ranks in a year or two.
I said yes, thinking it would be quite straightforward, like when I was 16 (15 years ago).
Last week I got a call from Ray, some aggressive H&S inspector who it turns out is employed by the lad's school to inspect businesses where the kids will work.
Ray told me that he needed to come down, inspect our risk assessments, fire safety stuff (which is weird as we have our own FS guy who gives us a certificate each year), photocopy our CRB checks (and all the above stuff) and finally, interview our entire staff about our safety procedures for an hour!!
Now, I am all for helping out with kids' development, but there is no way on earth I am going to take 8 man hours our of a day for all my staff to sit with this idiot (8 members of staff for the one hour meeting, just to be clear).
I told him that he could do one and the school would have to find somewhere else for the lad to do his WE. At the end of the day, having the kid about will cost my staff loads of time and me money anyhow, without this nonsense.
When did the world go so crazy?
Is this the norm these days or is this particular school OTT in its attitude?
ks. Report him to Mr Cameron!Honestherbert said:
As much as I hate H&S that doesnt seem too unreasonable to me? they are just covering their arses.
8 members of staff required to attend a one hour meeting, just to cover arses for a work experience week, doesn't sound unreasonable to you? I can only assume you don't run a business.Thanks for the replies.
It is the hour meeting that made the whole thing unacceptable.
He's welcome, as is anyone else, to all the H&S rubbish we compile regularly. He's also welcome to any insurance certs etc...
I may even have agreed to the meeting if the guy's attitude wasn't akin to that of a comedy sketch power hungry jobs worth. You know when you just get the feeling that letting someone into your life will prove to be a time consuming mistake? He was rude, aggressive and utterly condescending.
I sometimes wonder whether it is due to our industry that these types act like this. The landlord's fire officer was the same over the phone...all bolshy and aggressive...only to turn out to be a very nice but very small and weedy man in person.
Either way, a nice kid has lost out on an interesting and exciting week....I've told his parents he can come spend a week with us during the holidays instead :-)
It is the hour meeting that made the whole thing unacceptable.
He's welcome, as is anyone else, to all the H&S rubbish we compile regularly. He's also welcome to any insurance certs etc...
I may even have agreed to the meeting if the guy's attitude wasn't akin to that of a comedy sketch power hungry jobs worth. You know when you just get the feeling that letting someone into your life will prove to be a time consuming mistake? He was rude, aggressive and utterly condescending.
I sometimes wonder whether it is due to our industry that these types act like this. The landlord's fire officer was the same over the phone...all bolshy and aggressive...only to turn out to be a very nice but very small and weedy man in person.
Either way, a nice kid has lost out on an interesting and exciting week....I've told his parents he can come spend a week with us during the holidays instead :-)
You did the right thing, offering information but refusing the grilling of staff - absolute nonsense.
Write the following procedure in your quality system:
In order to inspect records appertaining to Health and Safety, all persons non-invited by the Managing Director, must provide the following.
Letter of justification of visit with signature of line manager.
Written notice of intention to visit at least 4 weeks in advance.
Copy of passport.
Copy of police checks.
Copy of certificate of all professional qualifications.
All persons who do not provide the above information in triplicate will be refused access to company records and staff
Write the following procedure in your quality system:
In order to inspect records appertaining to Health and Safety, all persons non-invited by the Managing Director, must provide the following.
Letter of justification of visit with signature of line manager.
Written notice of intention to visit at least 4 weeks in advance.
Copy of passport.
Copy of police checks.
Copy of certificate of all professional qualifications.
- add as necessary
All persons who do not provide the above information in triplicate will be refused access to company records and staff
Lotus Notes said:
You did the right thing, offering information but refusing the grilling of staff - absolute nonsense.
Write the following procedure in your quality system:
In order to inspect records appertaining to Health and Safety, all persons non-invited by the Managing Director, must provide the following.
Letter of justification of visit with signature of line manager.
Written notice of intention to visit at least 4 weeks in advance.
Copy of passport.
Copy of police checks.
Copy of certificate of all professional qualifications.
All persons who do not provide the above information in triplicate will be refused access to company records and staff
You missed:Write the following procedure in your quality system:
In order to inspect records appertaining to Health and Safety, all persons non-invited by the Managing Director, must provide the following.
Letter of justification of visit with signature of line manager.
Written notice of intention to visit at least 4 weeks in advance.
Copy of passport.
Copy of police checks.
Copy of certificate of all professional qualifications.
- add as necessary
All persons who do not provide the above information in triplicate will be refused access to company records and staff
Take shoes and trouser belts off before entering premises
Bring 2 original utility bills for home address
Must be enhanced CRBd
Copies of two references
- Add as necessary
Get the H&S inspector to take his shoes off and bow before entering and leaving the dojo. Bow before stepping onto the mats and when he's on the mats, make him face the front of the dojo and bow again.
You may want to post that little problem on grumpyoldsod.com.
You may want to post that little problem on grumpyoldsod.com.
Edited by Langweilig on Wednesday 29th February 15:52
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