Health & Safety Jobsworth
Discussion
Saleen836 said:
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
You did argue as you questioned him. What is the temperature rating for the barrow, is it rated to contain hydrocarbons ? if its not designed for a task basically you don't use it for that task. guy was doing a job. he gave you advice and told you something, you decided to question him, you know and I know that a wheel barra aint no drip tray no matter how you dress it up.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 for the pat testing, There is currently no strict legal requirement for PAT testing. The Government however has put regulations into place that pertain to the maintenance of electrical appliances and the most effective way to ensure that these regulations are met is through PAT testing.
He may not be an electrician, or is fed up trying to explain to folks that he uses a term that covers something that may trigger some form of recognition in the punter. Any electrical device should be checked over and any faults looked for before use, this being an appliance or a generator both are devices that carry electricity. All equipment that connects with electricity has to be tested and inspected. portable appliance testing PAT is the term that's applied to you guessed it portable appliances, you have fixed wiring testing where your wiring and all other equipment is tested, something like a generator as it makes electricity will still need to be checked over and tested from time to time to ensure that it is safe, sometimes people know a bit but not the full terminology to use. and it gets confusing.
'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.'
Pretty much sums up the OP's point, how could a generator that fits in a wheelbarrow contain enough petrol to submerge it?
Pretty much sums up the OP's point, how could a generator that fits in a wheelbarrow contain enough petrol to submerge it?
ponchie said:
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.
These are the answers the HS guy should have known. I’ve met some real idiots on both sides of the fence over the years. It’s not wrong to question authority. It does make it easier for the trades to understand the situation with examples though. 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.
And172940 said:
'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.'
Pretty much sums up the OP's point, how could a generator that fits in a wheelbarrow contain enough petrol to submerge it?
It could rain, it could then electrocute somebody. Never overestimate an idiot. Pretty much sums up the OP's point, how could a generator that fits in a wheelbarrow contain enough petrol to submerge it?
haggishunter said:
These are the answers the HS guy should have known. I’ve met some real idiots on both sides of the fence over the years. It’s not wrong to question authority. It does make it easier for the trades to understand the situation with examples though.
I wouldn't expect the H&S guy to know the derivation of every recommendation, nor would I expect the electrician to know why every rule in the BS7671 handbook is there.Cold said:
You can't bring non-PAT tested stuff into the office. But you can plug them in at home as you and your family aren't important.
The same way as you can't drive a lorry for more than 9 hours in a day but you can go home after 9 hours driving, hook up your caravan to your Q7 and drive for as long as you like.Cold said:
You can't bring non-PAT tested stuff into the office. But you can plug them in at home as you and your family aren't important.
Health and safety at work act - you can thank for that one...… you home is not covered as it is not a place of work, the regulations were designed to make your place of work less likely to kill you. Saleen836 said:
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,
Just keep a copy of the certificate showing the suitability of the wheelbarrow as a genny stand and you're good to go.(This was covered in my Nebosh exam.)
/funpolicemode
Krikkit said:
haggishunter said:
These are the answers the HS guy should have known. I’ve met some real idiots on both sides of the fence over the years. It’s not wrong to question authority. It does make it easier for the trades to understand the situation with examples though.
I wouldn't expect the H&S guy to know the derivation of every recommendation, nor would I expect the electrician to know why every rule in the BS7671 handbook is there.Having spent 30 years as a CMIOSH before I retired, this thread sums up all the hassle I ever encountered.
The (properly qualified) H&S bods don't make the rules. Her Majesty's HSE do, as embellished by employers insurance companies.
It has been decreed that your generator will not drip oil on our site. This is the word of The Lord.
Yeah, if it shall come to pass that oil is dripped upon the land, the wrath of HSE, Environment Agency, Employer, Union, Locals, RSPB, Natural England, National Trust, CPRE, (stop me when you get the message) shall descend upon the Principal Contractor and his wrath will be great.
To assuage the wrath of The Lord, just get a f
king drip tray. They cost about two pints.
The (properly qualified) H&S bods don't make the rules. Her Majesty's HSE do, as embellished by employers insurance companies.
It has been decreed that your generator will not drip oil on our site. This is the word of The Lord.
Yeah, if it shall come to pass that oil is dripped upon the land, the wrath of HSE, Environment Agency, Employer, Union, Locals, RSPB, Natural England, National Trust, CPRE, (stop me when you get the message) shall descend upon the Principal Contractor and his wrath will be great.
To assuage the wrath of The Lord, just get a f
king drip tray. They cost about two pints.
Pretty moronic OP.
Try to knock over a wheelbarrow, especially one that is top heavy and left on uneven ground? Quite easy eh.....fluid everywhere and also a potential fire hazard.
Now try to knock over a generator on a drip tray on the ground.....keep trying..........you can try all day and fail.
Try to knock over a wheelbarrow, especially one that is top heavy and left on uneven ground? Quite easy eh.....fluid everywhere and also a potential fire hazard.
Now try to knock over a generator on a drip tray on the ground.....keep trying..........you can try all day and fail.
williamp said:
While youre there I bet you use wooden ladders because the metal ones are all 'elf n safety bks. Same with high vis on sites. You know where you are, so they are pointless. And dont get me started on steel toecap boots. Madness...
Or a fire exit sign above the one and only door in a very small office, I'm not sure how one would otherwise exit!!ks. Same with high vis on sites. You know where you are, so they are pointless. And dont get me started on steel toecap boots. Madness...Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff