HEalth and Safety issues - ignore em?

[evedawn]

HEalth and safety issues : What happens when sonmeone ignores the correct procedure or tell you to do something you feel is unsafe?

[bednobs]

you have the ability, indeed the obligation to refuse to carry out unsafe procedures could you be more specific?

[evedawn]

Oh the list is endless i work in a doctors (and am studying for my NVQ in dispensing so wanna say a BIG thanks for some help you gave me with some queries not long ago)

umm amongst the many are: being asked to sign that dossett boxes are all ok, checked and correct - when i have not even seen, never mind been involved in, the boxes on that occassion.

being asked to climb into the loft to retrieve some boxes (when I have knees that disliocate very easilly - hyper mobility syndrome)

being told that the electrical cables lying across the room are "ok" and nota tripping hazard.

Being told the "only" place to store a box of heavy glass bottles is on the very top shelf, which needs to be reached with a ladderr, (ummm common sense but surely its gonna hurt like hell if those bottle come tumbling down on soemones head from a height.?)

I am honestly NOT a person who makes a big deal of little things but we are all a bit fed up and feel dr's oughta know better...ps - this ISN'T cos I [plan to report em or anything - i just want to be able to say "no" when I feel unsafe and not get repurcussions becuase of it.

[dot.hawkes]

you can store glass bottles on any shelf, the issue is the weight of the box, the rules for manual handling are to break down the contents to make the weight manageable, you can do this yourself, noone should need instruction on how to put a box or stock on a shelf if they have had the manual handling training.

cables are ok aslong as they are in a good state and not in a walk way or causing a trip or fall hazard. If they are then they need to be relocated or covered or a warning rign put up i would guess.


If you have a mobility issue then a letter rom your GP explaining that you are unable to carry out certain tasks is sufficient but no empoyer is forced to keep you in a job if there is a change in your capacity to do anm essential part of your job role.

Also in your induction you should have had the use of step ladder training for which you will have signed, your employer has a duty to maintain the safe condition of the ladders and it is also your responsibility to report any safety issues with the ladders and use them correctlt according to your training.

As for the boxes thing, I don't know what you mean.

[bednobs]

i would say that the dossette box thing is nothing to do with H&S but everything to do with professionalism, and you are well within your rights to refuse. Imagine the scenario where the box is wrong, and the consequences are that someone dies having had the wrong medication - then they look at who has signed and bingo, your name is there! It would be no defence to say "well i didnt actually see it"

Btw, i can't remember helping you before, but i hope i gave you the right answers.

PS just because someone is a doctor, dosent mean they have either any business sense or any training in health and safety issues

[bednobs]

I think your best thing to do would be to say no, and keep on saying no to things you feel are unsafe. Keep a log so you have a come back, should there be repercussions

[evedawn]

ok thanks to BOTH of you.

DOT- good point re; the glass bottles - i will break em down into smaller batches soon as. I never thought of that! thats soemthing i can easily rectify. The cables are NOT ok cos they ARE in a walkway and someone has tripped over 'em (did not hurt hersefl but pulled the plug for the PC out the socket in the process). Regarding the knee disliocating scenario - bit hard to get a letter from the GP when my own GP (ie: the one i am registered with) is my EMPLOYER. Nowhere in the job description did it mention going up a ladder into the loft with a torch to retrieve a box that had been stored there! (PS - it's not an everyday event to get something out of there and I did wonder why the manager who told me to go up there didn't go up herself seeing as though it was for something SHE needed.!!!


Hohum - perhaps I am just grumpy cos tomorrow is monday and so I am looking for fault ay?

THANKS again to both of you though.

Off to watch that show regarding worlds strictest parents now...