Comments by Mike Hosking

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

Hi
I am just about to implement a major recycling project a focal point being the removal of all individual waste bins with the introduction of central reclycing centres aroubnd the office floors.
This is becoming more common and to assist me in preparing a Q&A section on our in-house website to assist manage the change I was wondering if anyone out there has done similar and can give me there opinion/feedback on how it went there
many thanks for any information
Mike

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

My answer to the common sense stetment is the following and it is amazing how people's attitude changes to sympathy and empathy with the good old HS person.

"I agree and welcome common sense, however see my point in that it is not something that can be assumed/guarnteed to be in the fore front of your mind., all day every day at work,at home or at play." Gotchaaa

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

WE carry out many back to work assessments with employees to allow employes back to work whilst still "signed off" sick. We always ask the person to ensure that we are aware of any medical advice/treatment from gp and this syatmem has worked to the benefit of all for a few years now.
In the past I was adviced by our insurance broker that in these cases the employee was covered by ELI even though they had returned to work before "sick note" expired.
An HR person is now saying that this is not the case and the employee has to return to the doctor to be signed off/signed back to work before otherwise they are not covered by ELI.
This used to be the case years ago but is no longer valid.
I would like to know if what the specific leagl position is as my thoughts are that this is an insurance perosn saying thjis as their company policy as opposed to being supported with legal grounding.
thanks
Mike

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

Hi
Am I correct in my understanding/intepretation in that there is a legislative responsibility/link back to company under UK HS legislation if a UK based employee where to be killed/sevely injured/disabled during company organised activity arranged by third party with offshore venue.
thanks
Mike

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

I have addressed this matter over the years and in one case a personn developed " chest problems" after printer sited directly in fornt of them, moved the printer and the problem cleared up. Without demeaning any past and ongoing research I base my actions on this practical experience.
At that time I also reaserched HP provided printer safety technical information/data sheets which also recommended that printers should be sited dso that no one is within a metre of the exahust ports.
Whilst this was for the older laserr jet printers we have adoted this as our standard practise.
Where this cannot be achieved due to business need we segregate the printer with some form of screen between person
and printer and this has been successful and atisfactory to date.

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

HI
The last two paragraphs seem to contradict each other and my intepreatation is that they are subject to same regulations.
Laptops are fast replacing larger PCs in the workplace and correct usage/set-up is contained within the revised DSE guidance published a while ago.
regards
Mike

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

In my opinion going totally no smoking would require to go through the information and consultaion with staff via Employee Forums,etc as it is a collective matter.

Furthermore I regard this as legal matter under the various Information and Consultation with Employees legislation.

Am i correct in my interpreatation or is this a "best practise" matter without any lagl backing/support material requirement.

thanks

Mike

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

DSE guideance quite clearly state that whoever provides the workstation has responsibility for making sure that it meets standards/is suitable for the user after assessment, so it is Barclays all the way.

Would expect shared liability but Barclays take more as they had more control over his working day/equipment.
However he should have reported this to his agency who should have taken it up with Barclays.

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

I have dealt with this one in the past (approx 5 years ago)and my way around this was to contact the manafacturers and request technical data sheet related to the printer.

As I recall it was a laserjet 4 printer and the data sheet supplied at that time clearly stated that on that no one should sit within a metre of the exhaust ports/vents as there was a risk of ozone/toner.

My advise would be to contact the technical safety team as they have to provide this info, if they say there is no risk then all is fine.

Mike Hosking
Member - 12 posts

Hear,Hear to John's comments.

The sooner that the courts/tribunals start to promote and support sensibility and set precedents that will not allow frivolous/insignificant claims the better.

Though Age is an HR as opposed to HS matter, both areas tend to be affected by much misinterpretation/misrepresentation.

HSE/IOSH and many more associations are promoting sensibility and reduced bureaucracy, however in my mind the claims/civil courts areas appear to be somewhat out of step.

Hers hoping that they do as John says and a massive media step would be if the Daily Mail gave high profile to a case of Sensibility in both HS and HR domains.