Thread: OHS GONE MAD

This is where cost cutting made OHSE a joke. One of the older/retired inspectors was talking in an interview the other day about the cost cutting changes years ago. He was a specialist in lifts and construction, but had NFI about chemicals, gasses, explosives, acids etc but the new govt policy to cut the numbers and travel cost was that they covered everything. The result was inspectors with no idea about the industry their looking at and things either over regulated or missed altogether.

The root cause of most seemingly draconian or weird WHS edicts is IMHO common sense; or more correctly, lack of it. I am concerned that many young apprentices rely more on risk assessments, permits and procedures than common sense, intuitive thought and knowledge.
I constantly remind trainees to put non-compressibles under axles. I get asked why? The procedure and RA only mandates two 10t jack stands!

I am forever replacing dirty or scratched visors/goggles on the machines (I don't mind replacing them, keep reading). I ask the supervisor why they are in poor condition - the answer is invariably that the procedure/RA mandates wearing them and everyone IS wearing them when using the machine. What about being able to see I ask? Blank looks follow.

Interestingly, I had to have my fellows recently certified for High Risk Work Areas. Specifically, overhead cranes. The nice certifier was initially taken aback that the fellows didn't 'automatically' attend the lectures with hard hats and hi viz vests in hand. They're on the WKSP Floor I answered. Hmmm he responded nonchalantly and proceeded to question if my workplace had a safety culture or if he was he in for a long day!
On a side note, we have two kinds of hard available on the WKSP Floor:
This type - http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu...tart=0&ndsp=35
and this type -http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgu...tart=0&ndsp=35
for no particular reason other than I like the 'lumberjack' style. The certifier didn't like the second one for indoor use as it may restrict vision and hearing!. Guess which ones the lads chose to wear?

I digress. Back to common sense. I am also being pressured to provide RA and Safe Use Procedures for all non hand powered appliances. I don't disagree in principal, but when I challenge the rationale, (apart from WHS legislation) I am continually told that not all tradesmen know how to use power tools safely! WTF. Point them out to me and I'll replace them I say - I don't want those type in my shop. I encourage every tradesmen to continually think about all job contingencies. You'd be surprised at the number who don't deliberately take risks, but put blind faith into procedures, RA and mandated procedures instead of actually, you know, THINKING about the task and it's consequences!

Rant Over

Cheers
Ralph

Originally Posted by tonic

Yesterday, one of our drillers was subject to an on the spot Mines Inspector Safety Audit. The nice middle aged lady during the inspection asked our driller, wait for it, are you ready, "Does this machine drive on the road?"

One of my mechanics mentioned to me that he has to do brake tests on scissor lifts, aka elevated work platforms.

I asked "what? to make sure the brake works?"

no.... he had to drive out to site with his fancy electronic brake tester to measure how well the brakes worked.....

And this is something I can outwalk.....

Originally Posted by Sprint

One of my mechanics mentioned to me that he has to do brake tests on scissor lifts, aka elevated work platforms.

I asked "what? to make sure the brake works?"

no.... he had to drive out to site with his fancy electronic brake tester to measure how well the brakes worked.....

And this is something I can outwalk.....

There have been plenty of accidents in the scissor lift with dodgy slipping brakes.
Recently one bloke crushed his head between the frame and an I beam. Their designed with a lot of the weight in the bottom and the narrow but long wheelbase they can tip easily and as they are used to access tight areas inside structures being able to creep it reliably can be the difference between an easy to reach job or injuring yourself.
Simple example, you've got one of those mechanics trolleys that let you lay on your back under the car, but for some reason either the job is at your fingertips or your hard up against the hot brake rotor and the grease and oil are leaking onto your face with no room to manoeuvre. Would you fix the floor/trolley?
The problem is in this day and age the equipment is from one contractor the blokes using it from another with maintenance from a third. The question is who do you trust and who gets blamed if things go wrong?

This may no longer apply hopefully. I was always wryly amused by this. In Qld. in the 60's -80's when I still did greasy fitter work an overhead travelling crane up to 5 ton could be operated by a worker with a second class plant operator ticket(fork lift and small plant ticket). Over 5 ton required a first class plant operator ticket (crane driver) and a chaser. So, many shops had a 10 ton or over crane certified as 5 ton. They still used it to lift 10 ton but got away without employing a driver and chaser. The legality was somewhat murky and I imagine the lawyers would have paid for a couple of yachts if someone got squashed.

I recently got hit in the face by a toilet door at a school camp and required two stitches, blood everywhere etc.
I had great fun drawing a diagram with instructions to explain why the pair of toilet doors should be reversed so they didn't open to smash into each other, or people trying to enter either toilet.
Not sure the campsite will appreciate my suggestions though.
I also have now been given a lovely red hi vis vest to wear while on duty. Unfortunately, the vest being worn by a person entering a toilet would not be visible to the person pushing open the door to exit, but it's a nice thought.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

This may no longer apply hopefully. I was always wryly amused by this. In Qld. in the 60's -80's when I still did greasy fitter work an overhead travelling crane up to 5 ton could be operated by a worker with a second class plant operator ticket(fork lift and small plant ticket). Over 5 ton required a first class plant operator ticket (crane driver) and a chaser. So, many shops had a 10 ton or over crane certified as 5 ton. They still used it to lift 10 ton but got away without employing a driver and chaser. The legality was somewhat murky and I imagine the lawyers would have paid for a couple of yachts if someone got squashed.

I got a filthy look from the 'inspector' and crane installer both when commissioning my brand new workshop last year. I suggested that I'd rather my 10t gantry crane be registered and labelled as a 9t crane . For the same/similar reason.

Don't hate me. It's rules you should be hatin'.

Ralph

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I recently got hit in the face by a toilet door at a school camp and required two stitches, blood everywhere etc.
I had great fun drawing a diagram with instructions to explain why the pair of toilet doors should be reversed so they didn't open to smash into each other, or people trying to enter either toilet.
Not sure the campsite will appreciate my suggestions though.
I also have now been given a lovely red hi vis vest to wear while on duty. Unfortunately, the vest being worn by a person entering a toilet would not be visible to the person pushing open the door to exit, but it's a nice thought.

Put in glass doors, then you could join the Pee & See