Been working on a site recently and had to do an induction. During the induction we was shown a piece of paper with pics of knives on it and asked if we use one of these knifes ( these knifes where machetes, pen knifes,hunting knifes etc ) so we pointed to the machete and said we use that one. There wasn't any pics of dolphins and we wasn't allowed to use them in case I he blade snaps and goes flying in to someone's foot. Anyone else had this ? As HSE is getting stupid and we need to use the knives we have!!!
We worked for BP, and were told we had to use knifes with retractable blades. In fact, you had to push a button (and hold it) with your thumb, to keep the blade out. In was near impossible to cut the thick carpet tiles, with the knife they supplied. I refused to use it. AS the job was on a tight deadline, I was told to continue. Otherwise I would have walked.
Had it loads of times being told what kind of knifes we are allowed to used retractable blades only and have to wear full fingered gloves its getting stupid now im all for going home in kne piece at the end of the day but there actually making thinbs worse, just nod say yes in the right places then carry on as normal, or put it in your method statement about what knifes you use and why they are safe as you have had training on them, we did have one site in croydon that tried to make us wear chain mail glove on none cutting hand
we wasn't even allowed that. We had the safety guy come down and caught us using our knives and even said I know you need them but don't let me see it. Stupid. Ive even asked a rep out of curiosity if there's a knife you can use and there isn't. This is above and beyond hi vis etc.
yep had gloves,goggles,hard hat when your in an empty room!! Pointless. I cut my hands with kitchen knives more than my dolphin.
You just have to do a method and risk saying about how bad retractable knives are when they are worn, that the pins snap and you fall on them with the pressure that you have to exert when laying floors , say that you are trained and use your holster all the time, The reason they are doing it is because people cut there hands searching in there bags for the knives, so if you prove that when your not using your knife it's in its case then they will agree.
Had the dreaded retractable knifes on site email shown to me today, berkley homes want not only to do away with fixed knifes they also want to change our cutting techniques! have been told from 1st september that spring loaded knifes are to be used and you are to at all times cut away from your body..... think I might be looking for different work in about 2 weeks if they are adamant about that, as I cant see myself sticking to that, oh and we have to wear full finger cut resistant level 5 gloves from that date to, oh the joy.
Hse has gone mad. Intellectuals sat in their ivory towers with no concept of how and why things have to be done. How long will if be before they try to enforce a maximum weight that you can lift?
I was told on my last site job that their new safety policy's from September will be hats, gloves, glasses, boots, vis vests and should we say hats fall off while working we should get chin straps!!! If this gets enforced I will be leaving the contract game! Not that domestic work will be any better if the new hse proposal happens (just got told this yesterday) aparently if you was to do some building work at your own home with no contractors, just you. The hse could walk "on site" and inspect every aspect of the site and if they deem it unsafe (which lets face it, it would be, with me 21' up a ladder pointing my chimney stack) they could fine and shut it down The country is going mad with its nanny state approach. We are grownups so why can't we make our own decisions so long as we are being sensible?
Are not these the type of things that the CFA, NICF or whatever trade organization should be lobbying about. I mean that people pay their membership to be represented by them within the flooring and relevant construction industry. If I was to go on a course to be accessed for membership and I was always cutting away from myself do you think I would pass.
I've been working on a site 2day that's a school extention in my trainers no PPE at all & using 240v gear lol
