tomgregory2000
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 10:53 AM |
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OT: legal minimum number of staff?
Does anybody know the minimum number of staff needed by law in a retail shop?
We have to go up ladders and leave the shop to go and get gas, i dont know if this affects anything.
Such as if i was to fall off the ladder on my own no one wold be able to rase an alarm.
The only reason why i ask is that i find myself working on my own agen, normaly the shop runs on 2/3 people and im getting fed up of working on my
own.
And yes im on my own today.
Tommy
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nitram38
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 10:59 AM |
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I don't think that there is a minimum number of employees, but employers have a duty of care to them.
They should access any risks and minimise them.
Can your job be done without a ladder? Do you have a means of rescue?
These are just some of the questions that grade the activity.
I've done harness training for working at heights and these are just two of the health and safety checks.
If they don't do a risk accessment and you have an accident, they would be in serious do-do with the health and safety executive.
[Edited on 13/4/2009 by nitram38]
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designer
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 11:02 AM |
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Therre is no mimimum requirement for staff to run a shop.
BUT nobody should be up a ladder on commercial premises without someone else there.
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 11:06 AM |
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Most ladders are banned on building sites now, due to the number of accidents.
A proper risk assessment and method statement should be in place. You need to have read and signed off on it, BEFORE you climb that ladder. If not,
and you have an accident people go to prison!
Ben
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iank
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 11:09 AM |
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Don't know the answer, but is there a reason why you are the one that ends up running the show on your own?
If you have to leave the premises (to get gas) surely there's a security/lost revenue issue the owner should care about.
As ^^^ rightly say there is a duty of care and you shouldn't be required to be up ladders when alone. While I'm quite aware making waves
is risky in the current economy you should make sure they are correctly insured and have at least thought about risk.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Guinness
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 11:11 AM |
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Most companies also have a "lone worker" policy.
Agree about working at height on your own. Not really acceptable.
Mike
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nitram38
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 11:13 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Most ladders are banned on building sites now, due to the number of accidents.
A proper risk assessment and method statement should be in place. You need to have read and signed off on it, BEFORE you climb that ladder. If not,
and you have an accident people go to prison!
Ladders are not banned. This is one of those myths that get about.
You must minimise risk, so lots of places use small platform ladders with handrails, but if ladders are the only option then they can be used,
provided other measures are taken.
[Edited on 13/4/2009 by nitram38]
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 12:50 PM |
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Well should of said, Banned WITHOUT a permit to work. Generally in small spaces.
All the large building companies comply with this.
quote:
Originally posted by nitram38
Ladders are not banned. This is one of those myths that get about.
You must minimise risk, so lots of places use small platform ladders with handrails, but if ladders are the only option then they can be used,
provided other measures are taken.
[Edited on 13/4/2009 by nitram38]
Ben
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nitram38
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 12:56 PM |
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Ben.......go here
No mention of a permit to work for ladder use. Maybe your companies policy, but not a HSE requirement.
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 01:17 PM |
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If you try to use a ladder they will remove it from you. Most of the building companies that are serious about health and safety will enforce
this.
I go on to different building sites all most every week. Different sites, different companies everytime. They all (appart from the little odd job
companies) will not allow ladders without a permit. Whether its in the HSE or not. We have regular visits from our health and safety people, and i
do a lot of our Method/risk assessments and they will always insist that a ladder is a very last resort.
Ben
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nitram38
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 01:27 PM |
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You are right, about the last resort, but definitely not banned.
As I said, it is down to the companies/main contractors policy, not HSE.
A properly used ladder is a safe one.
Most accidents are caused by improper use.
You can bet people are still having accidents on the "correct" equipment. Especially those who get a 2yr exemption from doing the CSCS
course when they enter the country..............A daft rule in it'self. Who is more likely to have an accident?
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deezee
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 02:02 PM |
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Its reasonably academic arguing about working from ladders, if tomgregory2000 is only using them for access. A perfectly acceptable method if
correctly secured and not used for movement of materials or equipment. I would however like to see a cage if its a permanent fixture for access.
I agree with most points here. Especially with nitram38 about peoples knee jerk reactions and panic attitude towards health and safety. Some
companies enforce rules, with complete disregard for the intent, for which they are created.
But to answer the main question, there is no minimum number of staff required. But you / your boss, should STRONGLY consider the following.
First Aid - what if there was an accident, who administers first aid, or how quick can the emergency services attend site.
Fire - from your ladder access area, can people safely make their way to an exit? Is emergency lighting / signage in place? Is suitable fire fighting
equipment in place?
This is obviously weighed against the likelihood of any of the above taking place.
From the number of people in the company, it seems a formal record of the risk assessments are unlikely to be required. But I'd recommend it
anyway.
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smart51
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| posted on 13/4/09 at 04:55 PM |
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We have ladders at work but they are padlocked to BIG staples in the wall. YOU don't get to use them. Proper training and staff rules mean
that if they fall it is their fault not yours.
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