Comments by Fiona Potts

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

Is there an Approved Code of Practice for the shredding of confidential waste? I'm looking at our process for data destruction and some offices have shredders and some use a company to come and take away to be destroyed. However, the ones with shredders have various types... I seem to recall something about cross-cutting being the best shredders to have, but my memory fails me there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

This may be more for Workplacelaw, but in the Handbook under COSHH it refers to COSHH Regs 2002 and under the Pest Control it states COSHH Regs 1999.

I am writing a Business Process Manual for all our FM procedures in Europe (including how we deal with our Pest issues!) and want to ensure that any legislation I quote is correct. As I am unsure, I checked the Handbook and found this slight difference.

Can anyone help/confirm?

Tx.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

I have an evac chair in place that was originally put in because we had a wheelchair user within that area. However, I've learned yesterday that he refuses to get into it and when they test it they use a "volunteer!" rather than the person it was initially intended for... He would rather someone slung him over their shoulder and carried him out!

So, in the event of an emergency evacuation, where would we stand legally if no-one was happy to get into it? Would the carrier be sued if they dropped him on the evacuation? Would we be sued (if he was dropped!) because we knew about this beforehand? I know this goes away a bit from the original thread, but it seems there are differing opinions, even amongst the perceived users...!

Any comments would be gratefully received. I'm sure it's going to be a hot debate at my next H&S committee meeting!

Regards,

Fiona.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

The only problem I have is that I am being asked for "Terms of Reference" for the members, but we have an existing policy which is 80 pages long! I've withdrawn the relevant 4/5 page bit which gives what I would refer to as the "statement" for them to read and have comments ready for the next meeting.

Someone else here mentioned a constitution, but I've not heard of that before...

Suggestions greatly received.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

You're welcome. Let me know if you got any things out of the norm... Could save time.

The one thing that didn't happen, was management buy-in!

R,

Fiona.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

Having just held it today, I stuck with the basics. Which are:

- the policy in place (if there is one!) and how to address making sure it fits the location.

- responsibilities of the reps - what their duties are and how I/we expect them to carry them out.

- training - for reps and those who should carry out risk assessments.

- risk assessments, and the training of same.

- DSE workstation assessments and the current status/plans.

- First Aiders - who, where, what, etc.

- Next meeting.

- AOB.

Pretty simple, but effective. As the topics were discussed, other items came out, like Fire training and evacuations, accident book, plus other things specific to where I work.

Hope this helps you.

Regards,

Fiona.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

I'm chairing the very first H&S committee meeting at my offices, and although I've done one before, it was a well documented safety policy, so quite easy to set an agenda.

Does anyone have a simple agenda I can take to start with and make suggestions on the kinds of things that should be covered?

Thanks.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

Does anyone have a simple car parking policy I can re-use? We have some issues with some staff who have in their contracts that the company agrees to pay all parking charges - you can imagine that perk in London!!

Also, how we deal with contractors using the car parking, based on the fact that we own ths site.

Any comments gratefully received.

Fiona Potts
Member - 10 posts

We have a policy in place where no hot food is allowed to be removed from teh restaurant, but we allow people to eat sandwiches, etc. I realise the hygiene issue is tehre, but when we re-tender the cleaning contract, desk cleaning will be ramped-up!!!