[modeleng] Re: Reposted message
- From: "R.L. Roebuck" <rlr20@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:31:35 +0100 (BST)
Hi there Martin,
You make some interesting points.
I think what I have seen, and you may have witnessed, is that some
organisations misuse H&S to stop things happening as they are worried who
will get blamed if there is an accident - whereas as you rightly say it is
about trying to mimimise the risk of accidents. I think this can lead to
H&S getting a bad name, though there are other isssues which don't help it
in the eyes of some people.
In terms of the washing machine: imagine you wanted to set one up in the
lab at school because one of your D&T pupils was doing some experiments to
determine which of three floor coverings caused it to vibrate the least
(that wasn't what actually happened in the case I am thinking of, but an
example you could come up against maybe). Now imagine trying to do the H&S
paperwork for it given the mixture of water and electricity.
All the best,
Rich.
On Thu, 14 Jun 2012, stepney wrote:
> For some reason, a message from Martin Ripley, didnt reach the list.
> I did get a message from Freelists asking if I would approve it (dont
> ask me why!) and did so, then got another message rejecting my approval
> as spam.
> Alan
>
> So, what Martin said was:
>
> Not sure where any of you are based, but, just my views on 'Elf and Safety'
> in the UK.
>
> I have been aware of H&S issues for most of my working career.
>
> 30 years with Royal Mail in the UK, ensuring that machines didn't start
> unexpectedly without warning, stopped when told to so and with covers that
> prevented a Postman losing his/her fingers. Despite the 'restrictions' of
> our H&S executive, we still made machines that sorted mail and were safe to
> operate.
>
> Then I was self employed as a kitchen/bathroom fitter and electrician. I had
> my own H&S policy, basically, don't kill or injure myself or one of my
> customers.
>
> Now I am a Design Technology Technician for a Secondary School. Part of my
> brief it to ensure that all the machines that I, the pupils and the Teachers
> are exposed to, is fit to be used and to ensure that, as far as is
> practically possible, risks are reduced to a minimum.
>
> I am also Chairman of a Village show society and I 'employ' people who carry
> out risk assessments of everything that we do and put into place as far as
> is practically possible, risks are reduced to a minimum. (seems to be a
> pattern here).
>
> As mankind develops, we begin to realise that some
> activities/chemicals/processes/whatever are risky. H&S does not set out to
> ban these, it aims to ensure that as far is practically possible, risks are
> reduced to a minimum. (See there is a pattern).
>
> Imagine if your Child was at the School where I work. If said Child was
> blinded through an impact in the eye or had their hair torn out having got
> it caught in the lathe, would you then say 'Its H&S gone mad'?.
>
> Of course you wouldn't. But this won't happen, as we have assessed the risks
> and reduced them through the use of safe system of work and personal
> protective equipment.
>
> H&S is not an insurmountable wall, merely a hurdle that if it wasn't
> present, would lead to death and injury.
>
> Point 2: the Press, never report the facts! Witness Fireman being banned
> from working from ladders. According to the press, they are now banned.
> According to the fire brigade, they never have worked from ladders, they are
> dangerous.
>
> WRT the Washing Machine, I'm not sure what you mean? Can you clarify,
> please?
>
> End of rant!
>
> Martin
>
>
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