Real world safety - how do *you* do it?

[Alan Ambrose]

We're not that far from Sizewell.

 

There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of people milling around this bit of Suffolk clad head to toe in orange with hats & glasses & gloves on at all times. I'm sure they do RAMS statements before going to the toilet. We're told (I have no way of knowing for sure): they need to wear all their gear before being allowed on the company bus; they're 're not allowed to roll their sleeves up; excavator drivers can't do a 360 and can't get out of their cabs without permission; they have go/no go electronic signs on the cabs; etc etc etc.

 

I was talking to an architect friend recently and showed her some photos of the site. She was aghast that I was on the half-built roof (nowhere to fall btw) without a hat on.

 

Now, in reality, I can't even get my carpenters to wear safety boots; I have to hand my key worker some safety glasses when he starts using a grinder or he might not wear any; my young apprentice is a mountaineer and likes balancing even when I tell him not to.

 

All-in-all I try to watch out for everybody, intervene if I think they're doing something risky, look out and address any hazards, provide any safety equipment they need etc.

 

So we should be like Sizewell and strictly enforce all the rules?

 

Yeah, I expect my team would either laugh and ignore me or walk off site depending on their mood.

 

I'm interested in what you guys do on your sites in practice?

Edited 4 hours ago by Alan Ambrose

[Mr Punter]

I am hot on avoiding on high risk / severe consequence incidents, so falls from height, buried in a trench, brick on your head, crushed by materials / machine etc.

[LDNRennovation]

Your actual responsibility differs depending on if you’re self managing or you have a contractor or PM. 

But I’ve seen enough builders missing fingers and with back and hearing problems to insist that they make the attempt. I also have an extra responsibility since I am an architect in my spare time and don’t want to get struck off, but still. So yes pretty insistent that they use the PPE when I’m around.
 

If they don’t listen to me, which is likely as they are pretty basic lads, then the contractor boss gets a picture, an earful and I threaten him with the HSE. I’ve reported people in the past and I’ll do it again. 
 

eta, as a homeowner on your own time I’m not sure the same standards apply to you. Hard hat on a roof might be a good idea though in case you land on your bonce. 

Edited 3 hours ago by LDNRennovation

[saveasteading]

I'm retired so 5 years ago...

 

Sensible safety. Firstly it is designed to be easy and safe to erect.

Proven methods of construction.

Secondly the job is progressive so one process  a time... foundations are complete before structure starts to go up.

A simple and relevant risk assessment* that is easy to read and understand.

 

Hard hats when anything is overhead, proper site boots af all times.

Yellow jacket at all times.

 

2 tales of yore.

1. On this project  as a steel structure contractor for a national contractor, and sitting in their office, as was their site manager. Unannounced visit by HSE. 

He introduced himself to the manager and asked what was going on at present. The answer was, steel is going up and ask  him over there (me)...  OK I will but can you show me the relevant  risk assessment? The manager pointed vaguely at 3 lever arch files but didn't know.

 

HSE came over to me and I explained that a gable wall was being erected and the methodology.

Could he  see my risk assessment  .... of course.  " very good and especially that it was easy to follow and relevant."

Back to the site manager: is anything else happening and please explain the methodology? ...He couldn't.

 

Then hse and I had a chat. He said my document was ideal in his opinion, but that higher powers wanted much more paperwork, an I would soon have to go that way. 

And so we did but only ever relevant content, revised for each job.

2. Main contractor for a pharma company you've heard of. They had their own safety inspector.  We were putting a fibreglass ladder in place and he stopped us. The ladder isn't tied.  We showed the rope that one guy was going to tie while the other held the ladder.

Not acceptable,  you need a scissor lift.

I  guess we must have very quickly hired and offhired  one as the next time he came round it was tied.

That sort of idiot was creating a new profession and now they are in charge where large clients or contractors are involved.

They make paperwork that keeps top management distant from blame.

 

I never had a problem with HSE. A few tellings off and one 'sort it' notice but they were always correct and even helpful with suggestions.

 

On our current family project we apply common sense. If HSE happened along, I guess he would advise some changes, but generally be happy that everyone was safe. There is no written document but everyone is sensible and the kit is appropriate.

 

 

[Oz07]

The Hi Viz is for visibility, obviously. No need to be wearing one if no plant is knocking about

[ProDave]

There is so much talked about H&S that defies logic.

 

e.g I was working in my own capacity fixing an outside light on a large property.  Because of the height, I had my ladder tied becuase it made me feel safe.

 

At the same time a firm was doing repairs elsewhere on the building.  One guy wearing a high viz vest decided he needed to have words with me.  He started with asking why I had tied my ladder, like it was any of his business.  Then he asked why I was not wearing a hard had.  When I pointed out there was no work above me so nothing likely to land on my head, but YOU re not wearing a hard hat and I might drop a screwdriver on you, he walked off in  huff.