Should I be downing tools? (Elf 'n' safety)
Discussion
So I'm working for an IT firm, they've just asked me to sort out a storeroom.
This room is crammed full of battered monitors, broken towers, tossed printers and suchlike. The junk is piled without any thought or care.
A few points:
The gear has laid there for at least 5 years, though some of the equipment was made redundant before I was born.
Am I just being a fairy?
This room is crammed full of battered monitors, broken towers, tossed printers and suchlike. The junk is piled without any thought or care.
A few points:
- Lots of mould
- Collapsed ceiling in places
- More mould
- Broken glass
- Badly lit (even though the roof is Swiss style too)
- Exposed wiring
- No protective clothing
The gear has laid there for at least 5 years, though some of the equipment was made redundant before I was born.
Am I just being a fairy?
What are they asking you to do with it, as you can no longer "skip" IT equipment, it all has to be recycled?
As you have no tools you can hardly down them, so ask for the correct ones and get on with it.
And what do you mean your not being paid? Are they asking you to do it in your own time, or is it just a case of "I am not paid to do that" ?
As you have no tools you can hardly down them, so ask for the correct ones and get on with it.
And what do you mean your not being paid? Are they asking you to do it in your own time, or is it just a case of "I am not paid to do that" ?
PPE is designed as the last line of defence and other control measures should be in place to control the risks.
Without seeing the room I would say its difficult to say exactly what is needed or not.
But I would say maybe a 2 person job as whilst not heavy old computer equipment is bulky, so yes to some suitable handling gloves, manual handling training and a trolley or a suitable skip close by.
Unless its very small I wouldn't say its a confined space
It's work organised by the Job Centre's 'New Deal' people, it's not really unpaid, but it's only dole money +£15 a week.
I'm not against doing the work, certainly not looking for a way out of it. I need the experience badly.
I wasn't exaggerating about the state of the room, but I'm not really in there as much as I might have implied.
Thanks, fellas. I'll ask for a mask or something and stop being a fairy.
I'm not against doing the work, certainly not looking for a way out of it. I need the experience badly.
I wasn't exaggerating about the state of the room, but I'm not really in there as much as I might have implied.
Thanks, fellas. I'll ask for a mask or something and stop being a fairy.
I would just ask someone to do a risk assessment on it, that way you can voice your concern and they should take you seriously. The RA should highlight the hazards and the control measure needed..
People often say that H&S is expensive, like said above. You try having an accident and then you see how expensive things are.
I've investigated many workplace accident, all are avoidable and most down to stupidity. But I'm always told its just 'common sense', well why do they still keep happening !!!
Call this lot, they'll take it away for you and save you the trouble 
http://www.wastecare.co.uk/computer/
http://www.wastecare.co.uk/computer/
It sounds like a great challenge and if you box it off properly you will do yourself some good, get a decent reference etc.
Additionally, if you have "site clearence" experience like this then there are other waste jobs out there and waste companies who would want you.
As you've said, get a mask, some gloves and goggles and you should be sorted. The only potential issue is that if it is an old office there might be asbestos present. I'd be cautious about that especially if the roof is damaged.
Additionally, if you have "site clearence" experience like this then there are other waste jobs out there and waste companies who would want you.
As you've said, get a mask, some gloves and goggles and you should be sorted. The only potential issue is that if it is an old office there might be asbestos present. I'd be cautious about that especially if the roof is damaged.
lewes said:
I would just ask someone to do a risk assessment on it, that way you can voice your concern and they should take you seriously. The RA should highlight the hazards and the control measure needed..
People often say that H&S is expensive, like said above. You try having an accident and then you see how expensive things are.
I've investigated many workplace accident, all are avoidable and most down to stupidity. But I'm always told its just 'common sense', well why do they still keep happening !!!
^^^This ^^^People often say that H&S is expensive, like said above. You try having an accident and then you see how expensive things are.
I've investigated many workplace accident, all are avoidable and most down to stupidity. But I'm always told its just 'common sense', well why do they still keep happening !!!
Ideally there'd be a risk assessment carried out prior to you doing a potentially dangerous NEW task.
And what is the plan? what do they want doing with all the items? They may be dangerous now, but they could be more dangerous in left where people will actually be walking.
You should at least wear safety shoes, safety glasses and a dust mask. Forgetting H & S regs, these should fine because you are in an environment that is familiar, moving (probably a larger,heavier version) items that you are familiar with.
So how many hours comunity service did you get, or are you one of very few that doesn't just take job seekers allowance and piss it up the wall
And what is the plan? what do they want doing with all the items? They may be dangerous now, but they could be more dangerous in left where people will actually be walking.
You should at least wear safety shoes, safety glasses and a dust mask. Forgetting H & S regs, these should fine because you are in an environment that is familiar, moving (probably a larger,heavier version) items that you are familiar with.
So how many hours comunity service did you get, or are you one of very few that doesn't just take job seekers allowance and piss it up the wall
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