Working At Height.

[ProDave]

Reminds me of when I had a proper job and had to install a control panel in the USA.

Their elf n safety bods were all over us for the first day. NO live testing. To test for power to the cabinet, attach probes, shut cabinet (shutting probe cables in the door seal) switch on, take a reading, switch off, open door, move probes to next point.......

Good job they lost interest in us after day one. Then we could flick the panel door interlock switch into override position and carry on normally.

But of course first we had 2 days being taught how to use a ladder, and how to lift a heavy object.

 

[ParkySparky]

Haha deke the only good thing is that doing work for commercial properties and supermarkets they can't complain when I do the job that way as they also sign all the method statements.

I've just competed a refit in a morrisons pfs and no steps were allowed on site.

Had to use a push around pop up to work one foot of the ground. Didn't bother me that it took so long as they're paying the bill and they wanted it to be safe. As you say, I had to issue myself with electrical disconnection permits and sign my own permits to enter a live DB! Crazy but that's what they want!!!!

 

[Evans Electric]

My few remaining commercial customers don't bother too much as long as reasonable safety and common sense  is observed .

All my steps are the old fashioned wooden ones 6 & 7 tread ,  I think after 30 years use they may be safe .

The three builders I work with use  DIY standard, aluminium steps , lightweight  , flimsy , could be blown over by a brickies phart TBH . 

I couldn't be doing with the way things are now on sites etc ..........I'll put myself out to graze soon I guess .... I get Part Peed off with all the carp that flies about these days . TBH

 

[ParkySparky]

Haha yeah I've not fallen off a pair of steps or ladders yet and I've spent a lot of time on them!!

It's all just about ar*e covering by the main contractors in case of a claim.

That's the main reason there banned.

I've always said H+S is more common sense than anything. I would say a competent tradesman knows what's safe and what isn't without going to the extremes.

Accidents will always happen its the joy of adding the human element into anything, but a lot of the rules just stop you actually doing the job efficiently!

My biggest bug is having some manager signing a permit to work for me to work safely who has not got a scobie do about what is actually involved in the job!

 

[ProDave]

Did I ever relate to you my argument I once had with a builder?

I was working up high on the outside of a building fitting a security light. Self employed working directly for the house owner.

Because of the height, I had chosen to tie the ladder with rope both sides so there was no possibility of the ladder slipping sideways or the foot of the ladder moving out from the wall.

Coincidentally there were also some builders doing some work on the house. Nothing to do with me, but one poked his nose in.

So this guy at the bottom of the ladder says "I've never seen anyone tie a ladder like that before. And where's your hard hat and high viz jacket.?"

At which point I (probably not very politely) told him a hard hat would not do much for me up here, and if I fell, It would not save my life. But by the way where is YOUR hard hat, that WOULD protect you if I dropped a screwdriver that hit you on the head. Oh and you managed to see me without the High Viz, so I don't think I need it.

He walked away.

 

[Evans Electric]

Its unusual to see someone WITHOUT a Hi-Viz these days !!!

 

[steptoe]

I went to the printers today to investigate a  5ft fitting not working .

Amazingly I couldn't reach it on the 8 ft ceiling  .

I thought I mustn't use my steps as I won't have 3 points of contact so I'd best order a tower from my hire guy.

During the 2 hour wait for the tower I thought I'd save time so I filled in a Risk assessment for off loading the tower from their pick-up and another one for  assembling .  With the tower platform at it's lowest I had to lay down with my nose pressed against the fitting but at least I was safe.

After changing the tube & starter it did not work .

I then filled in another risk assessment for testing a live fitting to see if it was ...well...live ...and it was and I could see melted remains of a ballast in there .

So I immediatly filled in another risk assessment for making the fitting dead and a safe isolation form and handed them to myself.

Then although sorely tempted to stick some tape across the switch , I killed the circuit plunging half the place into darkness.

I then fitted an MCB lock , closed the Dist, Bd, door and wedged it shut with a builder's Acro prop from the opposite wall .  

I now needed to drive to the nearest wholesaler for a new fitting , so after checking the tread depth on the tyres , the MOT and insurance were current and all the lights were working and my driving license had not expired, I set off.

I tested the fitting for dead , then tested the testers on a known source then tested the known source with a second set of testers and of course checked the second set on a second known source before disconnecting .  But only after licking my finger and stabbing it on quickly  :innocent

After replacing the fitting , which I checked to conform with BS something or other,  I restored the power , checked the Zs  , filled in a Minor Works and issued it to myself .  Oh and checked that my meter had a current calib. cert. which I photo-copied and sent off to the Queen .All of  which I recorded on the Minor Works,  of which I made 5 copies, to send to the ECA, the H&SE , ELECSA, my MP and the European Commitee for Poking it's Nose into our Affairs.  

Then  due to not having a license to carry scrap metal and dead fluorescent tubes on the King's Highway I phoned for a skip and when it arrived after 2 hours I threw the old fitting into it . 

I now find that the customer is not happy with the £ 400 + VAT bill I have just invoiced him for .  

msl:

that has made my day, 

 

[wozz]

Its unusual to see someone WITHOUT a Hi-Viz these days !!!

Agreed driving test people?! Why you are inside a car! 

People on the news doing reports always have one on no matter where they are! When I see a hi vis to me it means there is danger they can't control , I always thought ppe was the last thing to have not the first! 

 

[Sidewinder]

Correct Wozz, PPE is the LAST line of defence as it ALWAYS fails to danger, thus it must be the LAST resort, NOT the first.

Try telling the MUPPET H&S "officers" in construction this though.

They are idiots most of them and incompetent TBH.

 

[Robin Spark]

My sisters boyfriend is a chippy and when working on a local hospital a couple of plumbers asked him to make them an access hole (in the floor guys).

So donned in his hard hat, hi viz, gloves (allowed to cut off end of thumb and finger) and some rubbish goggles which he was issued with during the site induction.

He started to cut out a hole with his circular saw and had the plumbers watching from behind.  It was hot and the goggles kept steaming up, but had to wear them as H&S supervisors constantly walking about! 

He hit a nail or screw which threw the circular saw up in the air and behind him.  He nearly chopped off the one plumbers leg!

 

[ProDave]

Chainsaw trousers will be the next "must have" PPE if you are using a mechanical saw or drill. (or standing within 6 feet of someone using them)

 

[pewter]

whenever i am on a job and someone has some DIY aluminium steps i always say...

'I see you brought your Mums steps to work'

 

[Evans Electric]

These things are not new either .    Many years back now I remember one of those local TV news reports which was basically   "  Local Fire Brigade fit free smoke detectors for pensioners" 

A small red fire service van pulls up at a old dear's house , the fire chief gets out to talk to camera while a firefighter in almost full gear , boots , gloves, big yellow helmet with visor down .   Walks into house and screws a battery powered alarm to the ceiling !!!!! :C

 

[NozSpark]

From what I know they're not allowed to do that now as their risk assessment doesn't allow them to climb a ladder within someone's property...LOL

 

[Jono Pashley]

So in the end a scissor lift WAS ordered...asked for  narrow aisle arrived on site it was a similar size to my van..called the office to tell them to get why cant you use it..well for one i cant get it onto shop floor secondly even if i could it wouldnt fit down a aisle....