HSE Myth of the Month
Discussion
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm
HSE said:
Myth: Kids must wear goggles to play conkers
September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
This is Ace, the nazis are fighting back September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
That's brilliant 
Absolutely. HSE is not about "dont do that" as such, its more about "take a step back. Assess the situation. Are you aware of the risks?2
Unfortunantly, the "health and safety" excuse is used by a lot of lazy people who cant be bothered to do their job properly. More then one example, starnge reasons are used because of "health and safety".
One example: at Brands, I was allowed to drive my car from the back of the grandtands into the paddock, via the gate. When I returned, the new person said I couldnt. The reason: "health and safety". "But I drove through here 5 minutes ago..."
If it is a HSE issue, they should have done a risk assessment. Next time, ask to see it. Chances are they dont have one, so no HSE risk involved. Its just that they just cant be bothered to do their job peoprly
Unfortunantly, the "health and safety" excuse is used by a lot of lazy people who cant be bothered to do their job properly. More then one example, starnge reasons are used because of "health and safety".
One example: at Brands, I was allowed to drive my car from the back of the grandtands into the paddock, via the gate. When I returned, the new person said I couldnt. The reason: "health and safety". "But I drove through here 5 minutes ago..."
If it is a HSE issue, they should have done a risk assessment. Next time, ask to see it. Chances are they dont have one, so no HSE risk involved. Its just that they just cant be bothered to do their job peoprly
Ok. Explain this one then
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
Morningside said:
Ok. Explain this one then
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
Just employers covering themselves. A set of PAT tests < less than an employee suing over dodgy equipment that has never been checked, law or not.http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
ETA: Beaten to it!
Edited by skip_1 on Saturday 11th October 19:05
williamp said:
Absolutely. HSE is not about "dont do that" as such, its more about "take a step back. Assess the situation. Are you aware of the risks?
Covering important issues...But...
It also includes stuff so trivial that I would cheerfully insert a white hot iron in the nether passage of any HSE policy maker....
And wiggle it about...
The guys who used to shin up a ladder to fix my roof now have to scaffold the whole bloody house...
If this continues, we'll be needing a safety harness to sit on the bog...
Oh...
...nay, 
HSE said:
Myth: Kids must wear goggles to play conkers
September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
That's the HSE defending itself, fine, but it doesn't deal with the 'we might get sued' mindset, which is the real reason behind much of the nonsense. I remember the news item featuring the head teached concerned.September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Would you believe that even us in the armed forces are required to do risk assesments and follow H&S at work.
"Nobody ever risk assessed getting shot at!"
Seriously though working aloft or entering tanks is pretty risky so doing a risk assessment is a pretty safe move. Same applies to pulling a breaker on a live 3.3Kv switchboard so I'm not complaining. H&S and RA's helps reduce the risks on dangerous operations.
On the otherhand its the absolute bain of my life especially as the lads have picked up on it and use it as an excuse to get out of jobs or at least they try, for example a recent conversation between me and one of my PO's
Me: I want you to go and look at No3 lift and find out why its not going to 3 deck.
PO: OK
ten minutes later
PO: Sorry boss can't work on the lift haven't done the course on it H&S and all that.
me: Well neither have I. You don't have to enter the shaft just find out why its not working.
PO: H&S boss can't touch it.
me: Jesus H Christ, its a computer controlled lift at worst it'll switch itself off and the failsafe brake will come on, its not like they're shifting ammo.
PO: Sorry boss no training
me: Come on! It's d
head proof just plug in the controller and it will tell you whats wrong and then go to stores and get the spares.
PO: I don't want to be responsible
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
me: Alright get me a cup of tea and I'll do it. just make sure you do a risk assessment before you boil the kettle.....
"Nobody ever risk assessed getting shot at!"
Seriously though working aloft or entering tanks is pretty risky so doing a risk assessment is a pretty safe move. Same applies to pulling a breaker on a live 3.3Kv switchboard so I'm not complaining. H&S and RA's helps reduce the risks on dangerous operations.
On the otherhand its the absolute bain of my life especially as the lads have picked up on it and use it as an excuse to get out of jobs or at least they try, for example a recent conversation between me and one of my PO's
Me: I want you to go and look at No3 lift and find out why its not going to 3 deck.
PO: OK
ten minutes later
PO: Sorry boss can't work on the lift haven't done the course on it H&S and all that.
me: Well neither have I. You don't have to enter the shaft just find out why its not working.
PO: H&S boss can't touch it.
me: Jesus H Christ, its a computer controlled lift at worst it'll switch itself off and the failsafe brake will come on, its not like they're shifting ammo.
PO: Sorry boss no training
me: Come on! It's d
head proof just plug in the controller and it will tell you whats wrong and then go to stores and get the spares.PO: I don't want to be responsible
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
me: Alright get me a cup of tea and I'll do it. just make sure you do a risk assessment before you boil the kettle.....
Morningside said:
Ok. Explain this one then
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
Probably an insurance condition. Our buildings insurance requires us to have PAT testing every 3 years.http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm
Electrical items for testing. If this is NOT true then why is it still done costing thousands?
These 'well-meaning' head teachers always make my blood boil (and other fluids..). Almost invariably running a primary school - their little charges must get a nasty shock when they move up to a bigger school and the cotton wool vanishes. Sad really as it is denying them life experience, making the learning curve steeper later on.
[/off topic rant]
[/off topic rant]
Good thread. "Health and Safety" is such a convenient excuse for some trumped-up busybody with a non-job to try and wield their pathetic job title to stop you doing something totally safe. Two other ones come to mind similarly - "Security" and "Insurance". Fekkin' annoying, as it is nothing more than a small-minded tosspot trying to justify their existence (which they can't.)
Oli.
r1ot said:
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
If this is one of your direct reports, it sounds like a disciplinary issue, if not a sacking one. Refusing to do as reasonably instructed in the course of work sounds like they don't want to work ... and if so, why do you want to carry on paying them? Oli.
It is often not the HSE that are the problem but over zealous official types in councils, or other organisations that implement their own imagined renditions of HSE rules.
I love some of the working at heights regulations.
But make sure you're wearing your hard hat, high vis, and safety boots.
I love some of the working at heights regulations.
But make sure you're wearing your hard hat, high vis, and safety boots.
Getting whacked over the knuckles by a poorly aimed conker is part of the process by which you understand how the world works.
The basic physics and the pain and how to deal with it. Then decide if the other kid meant it or it was a genuine accident and what to do in either case. Playing by formal rules that have a "local" variant - what to do if the strings tangle for example.
In fact conkers should be made compulsary - without any safety aids.
The basic physics and the pain and how to deal with it. Then decide if the other kid meant it or it was a genuine accident and what to do in either case. Playing by formal rules that have a "local" variant - what to do if the strings tangle for example.
In fact conkers should be made compulsary - without any safety aids.
zcacogp said:
Good thread. "Health and Safety" is such a convenient excuse for some trumped-up busybody with a non-job to try and wield their pathetic job title to stop you doing something totally safe. Two other ones come to mind similarly - "Security" and "Insurance". Fekkin' annoying, as it is nothing more than a small-minded tosspot trying to justify their existence (which they can't.)
Oli.
I ask myself the same question, unions has a large part in it and also the sheer lack of respect. I work for a living and expect them to do the same.r1ot said:
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
If this is one of your direct reports, it sounds like a disciplinary issue, if not a sacking one. Refusing to do as reasonably instructed in the course of work sounds like they don't want to work ... and if so, why do you want to carry on paying them?Oli.
Silent1 said:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm
Generally speaking the HSE aren't the Nazis. I have dealt with the HSE a lot and have always found them very helpful. The HSE are often blamed for the stupid rules set by public sector morons incapable of understanding the term 'so far as reasonably practicable'.HSE said:
Myth: Kids must wear goggles to play conkers
September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
This is Ace, the nazis are fighting back September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
r1ot said:
Would you believe that even us in the armed forces are required to do risk assesments and follow H&S at work.
"Nobody ever risk assessed getting shot at!"
Seriously though working aloft or entering tanks is pretty risky so doing a risk assessment is a pretty safe move. Same applies to pulling a breaker on a live 3.3Kv switchboard so I'm not complaining. H&S and RA's helps reduce the risks on dangerous operations.
On the otherhand its the absolute bain of my life especially as the lads have picked up on it and use it as an excuse to get out of jobs or at least they try, for example a recent conversation between me and one of my PO's
Me: I want you to go and look at No3 lift and find out why its not going to 3 deck.
PO: OK
ten minutes later
PO: Sorry boss can't work on the lift haven't done the course on it H&S and all that.
me: Well neither have I. You don't have to enter the shaft just find out why its not working.
PO: H&S boss can't touch it.
me: Jesus H Christ, its a computer controlled lift at worst it'll switch itself off and the failsafe brake will come on, its not like they're shifting ammo.
PO: Sorry boss no training
me: Come on! It's dhead proof just plug in the controller and it will tell you whats wrong and then go to stores and get the spares.
PO: I don't want to be responsible
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
me: Alright get me a cup of tea and I'll do it. just make sure you do a risk assessment before you boil the kettle.....
If you're his boss, why didn't you discipline him?"Nobody ever risk assessed getting shot at!"
Seriously though working aloft or entering tanks is pretty risky so doing a risk assessment is a pretty safe move. Same applies to pulling a breaker on a live 3.3Kv switchboard so I'm not complaining. H&S and RA's helps reduce the risks on dangerous operations.
On the otherhand its the absolute bain of my life especially as the lads have picked up on it and use it as an excuse to get out of jobs or at least they try, for example a recent conversation between me and one of my PO's
Me: I want you to go and look at No3 lift and find out why its not going to 3 deck.
PO: OK
ten minutes later
PO: Sorry boss can't work on the lift haven't done the course on it H&S and all that.
me: Well neither have I. You don't have to enter the shaft just find out why its not working.
PO: H&S boss can't touch it.
me: Jesus H Christ, its a computer controlled lift at worst it'll switch itself off and the failsafe brake will come on, its not like they're shifting ammo.
PO: Sorry boss no training
me: Come on! It's d
head proof just plug in the controller and it will tell you whats wrong and then go to stores and get the spares.PO: I don't want to be responsible
This basically boils down to he can't be arsed and used H&S as an excuse.
me: Alright get me a cup of tea and I'll do it. just make sure you do a risk assessment before you boil the kettle.....
Ganglandboss said:
Silent1 said:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm
Generally speaking the HSE aren't the Nazis. I have dealt with the HSE a lot and have always found them very helpful. The HSE are often blamed for the stupid rules set by public sector morons incapable of understanding the term 'so far as reasonably practicable'.HSE said:
Myth: Kids must wear goggles to play conkers
September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
This is Ace, the nazis are fighting back September 2007
The reality
This is one of the oldest chestnuts around, a truly classic myth. A well-meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on ‘health & safety’ grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves!
Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low and just not worth bothering about. If kids deliberately hit each other over the head with conkers, that’s a discipline issue, not health and safety.
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