Ban the broom

Post by **Penfold** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:50 am

Hi all

Just read this online and cannot believe how worrying that a employer would of such a reputation would want to fight this:

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/na ... n-factory/

I'm sure that the press isn't printing the full story as that wouldn't make such a good story

Penfold

stephen1974 · Post by **stephen1974** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 3:22 pm

Was walking past a news stand today and saw on the front page of sun where there was a story about a carpenter being told by the HSE to stop using a broom and buy a vacum cleaner. (In a factory)

I do understand the reasons why they would want him to, but is this a case of H&S going to far?

Post by **Penfold** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 3:31 pm

Ive merged these two posts together as they are about the same news story

stephen1974 · Post by **stephen1974** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:37 pm

Kicking off a bit on facebook on the health and safety page there. And me without any popcorn.

I didnt read what the papers said, just the head line, but looking in to it further, it was what I expected, a factory area producing a lot of vey fine dust, as opposed to a small workshop producing chunky wood shavings. I have to side with HSE on this one. I've seen the clouds of dust that get thrown up whislt sweeping and that stuff hangs around for ages. You would be breathing it in all the time. Even if you wore a mask whilst sweeping, it would linger in the air long after you took the mask off.

Post by **Penfold** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:49 pm

I’m disgusted that the papers are even giving this guy air time. Wood dusts cause serious health issues both short and long term but this employer doesn’t seem to care about that. Who cares if he’s made furniture for celebrities, how about looking after the health of your staff?

Messy · Post by **Messy** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:35 pm

The 'story' originated from The Sun so bound to be sensationalised. I would trust a H&S professional over a luddite employer and a member of the gutter press any day

If this guy works from a 20 x 10m shed, then the advice may be over the top, but if its a busy industrial unit kicking up lots of dust, what is wrong with the advice.

I did a fire safety audit at a Met Police building which had a firing range on an upper floor. As guns are fired, they leave a residue of very flammable waste including gun cotton behind. The Police has an intrinsically safe (spark proof) vacuum cleaner that failed weeks before so the crew were supposed to sweep this dodgy fluff up and had refused.Therefore the who large space was cover in dust which would burn quicker than you could run. I was approached to include it in my report as there was also a fire escape through this area which was covered in this dust. I suggested the range be closed until a replacement cleaner could be procured

Maybe I would be guilty by the Sun of being a jobsworth too? Am I bothered?

Messy · Post by **Messy** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:35 pm

Messy wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:35 pm The 'story' originated from The Sun so bound to be sensationalised. I would trust a H&S professional over a luddite employer and a member of the gutter press any day

If this guy works alone from a 20 x 10m shed at the bottom of his garden, then the advice may be over the top, but if its a busy industrial unit kicking up lots of dust, what is wrong with the advice.

I did a fire safety audit at a Met Police building which had a firing range on an upper floor. As guns are fired, they leave a residue of very flammable waste including gun cotton behind. The Police has an intrinsically safe (spark proof) vacuum cleaner that failed weeks before so the crew were supposed to sweep this dodgy fluff up and had refused.Therefore the who large space was cover in dust which would burn quicker than you could run. I was approached to include it in my report as there was also a fire escape through this area which was covered in this dust. I suggested the range be closed until a replacement cleaner could be procured

Maybe I would be guilty by the Sun of being a jobsworth too? Am I bothered?