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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
... which makes it appear that you are trying to find a reason to include it within DP, rather than ask whether when the DPA was conceived it was intended to cover such a situation? Don't get blinkered to the extent that you feel the DP always has to apply.
I'm all for protecting the personal data of an individual, but whether I attend work through a particular door or not is hardly what the DPA was first written to protect against? Unfortunately we now seem intent on using it for every occasion and its become a burden rather than a benefit.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
I may be missing something here, but exactly what is the personal data being considered under the DP Act?
If the system simply records, presumably from a swipe card or electronic fob, when an employee enters or leaves a place of work, and has no CCTV imaging or means of providing any personal info, then how does it fall under DPA? Its hardly 'personal' info?
Whether the client is given access to the data by the building owner is then a matter for them to decide on commercial grounds, but surely this isn't a DPA issue?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
I suppose the estate agent may feel that their instructions are to find a tenant. As they do not employ the owner what duty of care do they have other than moral obligation?
Much as I can see the potential for harm, surely the property owner has a duty of care to not put herself in such a situation, and to only agree to people calling the property when she has another person in attendance?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
When I used to have a Jeep Cherokee one guy I knew had a similar turbo deisel Jeep and used to mix 15% deisel with 85% strained 'spent' cooking oil. His vehicle ran fine with no modifications, was really cheap to operate, and there was no downside other than following him was like being behind a burger van!
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
Like ken I'm also a P402 qualified asbestos surveyor, and I agree entirely with his findings.
I'm only ever called on 'as a last resort' and the amount of times I'm told by the building owner 'there is no asbestos, but look anyway and let me have a report for my insurance' when I can clearly see ACM in that very room.
How many more people have to die? Most high street shops, offices, and private dwellings constructed up to the mid-eighties will have some form of asbestos. Once I'd done all my training I even found Amosite in my own home!
The HSE have to stand up and be responsible, and the more proscecutions the better in that regard.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
By providing consent the staff member has effectivelly waived the requirements of the DP Act.
I certainly wouldn't give my insurance company access to my personnel file - mind you, I know what's in it!
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
'I wouldn't expect them to attempt a rescue without those vital pieces of equipment' - maybe not, but I bet they would try if they needed to!
We need guys (and gals) like this in our emergency services. If ever I'm in trouble and need help I'd be happy knowing Mr Waugh was in the rescue team - well done mate, you are a credit to your profession.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
What an odd arguement Phil ' Does the govenment not want the tax revenue from smokers any more? '.
Are we seriously supposed to encourage people to smoke so that the Government can raise money from their taxation to pay for some of the massive NHS treatment needed for smoking related illnesses?
Chicken and egg??
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
You need to get a Non-Disclosure agreement signed in advance of the meeting.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
Thanks for the comments, and sorry I realise I have stolen Bharat's original thread!
I'm fast becoming a leading 'expert' in the field of 'thyroid induced tiredness' and as I do the risk assessments its fallen on me to do my own - could be amusing. Will I tell myself the truth I wonder?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
James, thanks for the opinion expressed. The condition is, I believe, considered to be substantial as it does affect your wellbeing, and will certainly be for life. Oh, and I can confirm the person is still at work, as its me!
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
In the same context, we have someone suffering from a Thyroid disorder (called hashimoto's disease) which will last for the rest of their life requiring medication. It causes tiredness and lack of concentration amongst other effects.
Is this person therefore considered disabled for the DDA please?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
By placing anything on their vehicle you commit trespass. Its the reason why you see many motorcycles in London parked illegally but with a piece of cardboard over their number plate -the traffic wardens are not allowed to touch the vehicle, and can only ask a police officer to remove the cardboard if its blocking the highway etc and the owner needs to be traced.
A better solution (I believe) is to issue a letter to the school head, asking for it to be notified to all parents, that parking in that area causes a traffic offence and registration numbers and a photo will be passed to the police.
That way you touch nothing, and have no direct contact with the driver, and a photo of a car parked illegally is not breaching any data protection issues as you personally canot identify the driver.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
Paul, your question 'What exactly ARE these Community Support Officers trained to do?’ is obvious isn't it?
They are trained to watch!
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
I work on the basis that anyoe who uses their private car for our company business must firstly have authorisation to do so, and must also provide us with details of current MOT, driving licence, and insurance cover first.
We keep this info on a database and whenever their MOT etc is due for renewal we make sure they have had it done.
Amazing what emphasis they place on looking after their vehicles when they can claim 40p per mile from us!
I'm pretty sure in this litigeous age we would be liable if anything occured, so better to be safe?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
What a wonderful piece of headline grabbing spin?
With over 4000 people dying each year of asbestos related illnesses its great to see the number of prosecutions rising - until you then read that it has jumped to a massive 37!
I'm sure the people lying in hospital beds with Mesothelioma are very encouraged by this news? Come on HSE, take this seriously and step up to the plate.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
As has been stated on the WPL forum before, the role of an FM (or property manager etc) encompasses many disciplines and its impossible to be an expert in everything.
The Penhallow fire was, I believe, caused primarily due to a gas leak. Apart from a possible smell its difficult to see how anyone without specialist knowledge and equipment would detect an underground gas leak? A simple fire risk assessment would never spot it.
Tragic as the event was, it highlights the fact that sometimes its best to call in the experts 'just in case', rather than assume we can do everything ourselves?
As John Shaw expertly put it on the forum ' there but for the grace of God go I'?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
I work in an organisation that has offices and staff in London, Manchester, and Burnley to name a few, and we have never had the need for a diversity officer.
I recently applied for a job in Norwich (hope my bosses don't read this) and have been asked for interview. On the panel will be the diversity manager, and I note that the new build project I would be managing has a prayer room.
I've decided not to go for the job as I believe it says more about the internal PC issues than it does about working in Norwich. I come from Nottingham and respect all cultures, but I'm not sure I could work in an organisation that put this issue so far up the list that an interview for an FM on a new build project was required to be quizzed on diversity? In fact there is no-one on the panel with any FM, H&S, or IT management as far as I can tell, but the diversity manager was seen as a must??
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
What adds to the lie in this article is that Health & Safety came third?? Believe that and you may as well set a workplace seat up for the Easter bunny!
The reason global warming is high is solely because if your competitors are seen to be doing something so must you, and if your clients think its a hot topic then you will bend over backwards to show you are 'globally aware' to keep in their good books.
Global warming will never be proved 'beyond all reasonable doubt' but in the meantime its a good way of increasing taxes and for companies to cash in on the PR benefits.
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts
Presumably you walked so as not to increase your carbon footprint by attending the seminar in a car?
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