Health & Safety Jobsworth
Discussion
As title, as is the norm on construction sites if you use a generator it has to sit in a drip tray as obviously the odd drip of oil/petrol is far worse for the enviroment than what ever drips/leaks from the plant machinery on sites 
To make life easy for myself I carry a wheelbarrow in my van, as it is easier to put the generator in and push it to whatever plot I am working in and also acts as a perfect drip tray. Apparently not according to the H&S jobsworth I encountered today, he was adamant my generator needs to be removed from the wheelbarrow and placed on a drip tray, of course when I questioned him on this and asked him to explain his reasoning as to why a wheel barrow isn't acceptable as a drip tray, he just mumbled under his breath and walked off
To make life easy for myself I carry a wheelbarrow in my van, as it is easier to put the generator in and push it to whatever plot I am working in and also acts as a perfect drip tray. Apparently not according to the H&S jobsworth I encountered today, he was adamant my generator needs to be removed from the wheelbarrow and placed on a drip tray, of course when I questioned him on this and asked him to explain his reasoning as to why a wheel barrow isn't acceptable as a drip tray, he just mumbled under his breath and walked off
Maybe your barrow might fall over? Maybe it's got holes in it? Or maybe the risk assessment that is part of his job states that generators will be placed in a drip tray. Not a barrow that's a bit like a drip tray.
Having worked in a variety of jobs, this "jobsworth" insult is stupid, especially for those who don't have much power like in a shop or are very likely to be held to account for something not right, like H&S. Yes, it genuinely is more important to me to keep my source of income than it is to give you a sneaky 10% off that dented tin of beans I just watched you throw on the floor.
Having worked in a variety of jobs, this "jobsworth" insult is stupid, especially for those who don't have much power like in a shop or are very likely to be held to account for something not right, like H&S. Yes, it genuinely is more important to me to keep my source of income than it is to give you a sneaky 10% off that dented tin of beans I just watched you throw on the floor.
Saleen836 said:
As title, as is the norm on construction sites if you use a generator it has to sit in a drip tray as obviously the odd drip of oil/petrol is far worse for the enviroment than what ever drips/leaks from the plant machinery on sites
To make life easy for myself I carry a wheelbarrow in my van, as it is easier to put the generator in and push it to whatever plot I am working in and also acts as a perfect drip tray. Apparently not according to the H&S jobsworth I encountered today, he was adamant my generator needs to be removed from the wheelbarrow and placed on a drip tray, of course when I questioned him on this and asked him to explain his reasoning as to why a wheel barrow isn't acceptable as a drip tray, he just mumbled under his breath and walked off
People who argue with site rules are the same people who argue with parking wardens, fTo make life easy for myself I carry a wheelbarrow in my van, as it is easier to put the generator in and push it to whatever plot I am working in and also acts as a perfect drip tray. Apparently not according to the H&S jobsworth I encountered today, he was adamant my generator needs to be removed from the wheelbarrow and placed on a drip tray, of course when I questioned him on this and asked him to explain his reasoning as to why a wheel barrow isn't acceptable as a drip tray, he just mumbled under his breath and walked off
king morons.I worked at a place that designed stuff and then had a massive factory next door that made it
The hse bloke was a nice guy who had to split his time 50 50 between the two sites
You felt a bit sorry for him in the design place as he had to look busy
We’d all take him under our wing and engineer trip hazards, report issues like sun glare etc
He had a family and was just making ends meet
The hse bloke was a nice guy who had to split his time 50 50 between the two sites
You felt a bit sorry for him in the design place as he had to look busy
We’d all take him under our wing and engineer trip hazards, report issues like sun glare etc
He had a family and was just making ends meet
What state was the wheelbarrow in?
How would the “jobsworth” know this?
How stable is the wheelbarrow when loaded with a generator?
How would the chap know this?
Would the chap be able to state that the rules where being adhered to if something did happen?
I understand you may of been able to do it before and you may equally be right that yours is a better way, but theres is the way that it needs to be done as they will have a controlled method for all and plans in place to mitigate any issue should the need for this arise.
I understand that things can be annoying at times and we know of a better way of doing something but the rules are there not just to prevent the accident, but also to protect you and the company in the event of an accident.
If you really do feel aggrieved by this go to the site foreman explain your reasoning and make a change for the better for all.
How would the “jobsworth” know this?
How stable is the wheelbarrow when loaded with a generator?
How would the chap know this?
Would the chap be able to state that the rules where being adhered to if something did happen?
I understand you may of been able to do it before and you may equally be right that yours is a better way, but theres is the way that it needs to be done as they will have a controlled method for all and plans in place to mitigate any issue should the need for this arise.
I understand that things can be annoying at times and we know of a better way of doing something but the rules are there not just to prevent the accident, but also to protect you and the company in the event of an accident.
If you really do feel aggrieved by this go to the site foreman explain your reasoning and make a change for the better for all.
A wheelbarrow is inherently less stable than a drip tray. What if someone knocks it over?
The deeper sides of a wheelbarrow may impede ventilation around the generator.
What if there is a fault with the generator and it somehow causes the metal frame of the wheelbarrow to become live, then you pick it up to wheel it somewhere else on site.
A drip tray isn't deep enough to submerge the generator if there is a large spill, a wheelbarrow is deep enough that the generator may become submerged if there is a big spill.
If they allow people to use a wheelbarrow as a drip tray, someone else will use some of the host of all other random containers on site as a drip tray. Some of the materials used to manufacture the drip tray may not be suitable for containment of the associated chemicals.
A lot of the time the rules are there as a result of an incident that has occured previously and stoping it happening again, it's not some bloke sat in an office dreaming up ways to wind up trades.
The deeper sides of a wheelbarrow may impede ventilation around the generator.
What if there is a fault with the generator and it somehow causes the metal frame of the wheelbarrow to become live, then you pick it up to wheel it somewhere else on site.
A drip tray isn't deep enough to submerge the generator if there is a large spill, a wheelbarrow is deep enough that the generator may become submerged if there is a big spill.
If they allow people to use a wheelbarrow as a drip tray, someone else will use some of the host of all other random containers on site as a drip tray. Some of the materials used to manufacture the drip tray may not be suitable for containment of the associated chemicals.
A lot of the time the rules are there as a result of an incident that has occured previously and stoping it happening again, it's not some bloke sat in an office dreaming up ways to wind up trades.
I didn't argue with the chap I just asked him to explain his reasoning which he couldn't/wouldn't, the wheel barrow is plastic and does not have any holes in it.
As far as I'm aware the specification is 'to use a drip tray' no specifics given on if it should be on the ground or on a frame (i.e a wheel barrow), never been picked up on it by any other H&S person on any other sites I work on.
Only H&S person I entered into a heated discussion with on site is when they insisted my generator needs to be PAT tested
As far as I'm aware the specification is 'to use a drip tray' no specifics given on if it should be on the ground or on a frame (i.e a wheel barrow), never been picked up on it by any other H&S person on any other sites I work on.
Only H&S person I entered into a heated discussion with on site is when they insisted my generator needs to be PAT tested
In fairness I can understand the frustration when these rules are applied rigidly without common sense.
Whilst at university I had a job driving a fork truck. Half way through my time there a new set of health and safety rules were applied that, if followed to the letter, would have prevented the work being completed. A case of rules being written once and then applied verbatim everywhere.
I was still required to sign a form saying I would comply, even though this oversight was pointed out.
Whilst at university I had a job driving a fork truck. Half way through my time there a new set of health and safety rules were applied that, if followed to the letter, would have prevented the work being completed. A case of rules being written once and then applied verbatim everywhere.
I was still required to sign a form saying I would comply, even though this oversight was pointed out.
Ah Health and Safety , often made up rules by some half trained management fall guy who runs around acting very self important who cannot understand why anybody would ignore or challenge his rules .
Far to often the H&S rules inflicted by companies are their interpretation of what they think the rules could be .
I have crossed swords with a few H&S muppets over the years , the most glaring one being the idiot who insisted that water fire extinguishers were the most suitable to be placed near the electrical panels and switch gear .
Or the muppet trying to insist that musicians must wear ear defenders during rehearsals .
Far to often the H&S rules inflicted by companies are their interpretation of what they think the rules could be .
I have crossed swords with a few H&S muppets over the years , the most glaring one being the idiot who insisted that water fire extinguishers were the most suitable to be placed near the electrical panels and switch gear .
Or the muppet trying to insist that musicians must wear ear defenders during rehearsals .
grumpy52 said:
Or the muppet trying to insist that musicians must wear ear defenders during rehearsals .
Not so unreasonable.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-4357...
grumpy52 said:
Ah Health and Safety , often made up rules by some half trained management fall guy who runs around acting very self important who cannot understand why anybody would ignore or challenge his rules .
Far to often the H&S rules inflicted by companies are their interpretation of what they think the rules could be .
I have crossed swords with a few H&S muppets over the years , the most glaring one being the idiot who insisted that water fire extinguishers were the most suitable to be placed near the electrical panels and switch gear .
Or the muppet trying to insist that musicians must wear ear defenders during rehearsals .
Ah, the person who always seems to know better than the H&S person.Far to often the H&S rules inflicted by companies are their interpretation of what they think the rules could be .
I have crossed swords with a few H&S muppets over the years , the most glaring one being the idiot who insisted that water fire extinguishers were the most suitable to be placed near the electrical panels and switch gear .
Or the muppet trying to insist that musicians must wear ear defenders during rehearsals .
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff