Occupation: 46 years experience with a metropolitan Fire Brigade and then Fire Safety Manager for a global brand.
Now sort of retired from the fire safety game, but doing the odd job here and there to keep my grey matter working and as I hate sudoku and havent got the back for an allotment
Location: Sunny London where the streets are paved with gold ;)
I had a series of meetings with senior managers and Directors about a major non compliance fire safety issue. They refuse to accept my advice, or that of their legal team.
I suggested we invite the local fire enforcement team to offer their opinion. That didn't go down too well.
It's been one of the more stressful days I have had in a long while. Dealing with angry and ignorant idiots was never a strength of mine
After that mini outburst, I am feeling better already .
What frustrates me even further is the fact these directors/managers pay us to come in and give them competent advice and they in return tell us we're wrong or don't agree
I 'accidentally' did an FRA of a non-relevant premises today (noticed a potentially serious issue whilst doing something unrelated), and had to bring it to the bosses' attention.
They weren't exactly happy, but at least they aren't sticking their fingers in their ears and singing.
I hope you manage to lose the chumps and get some more reasonable management soon. And assuming that that doesn't happen, just keep covering yourself and let them put themselves in legal difficulties.
We often think that when we have completed our study of one we know all about two, because 'two' is 'one and one.' We forget that we still have to make a study of 'and.'
Thats my world in a nutshell.
No one wants to do the job properly, they just want minimal effort and cost to cover their arses if the authorities come knocking. Problem is, what they think covers their arses, rarely does. Having a risk assessment is not the same as habing one that is suitable and sufficient. Having a tick box sheet to cover training, does not cover training.
Its not just managers etc that are like this. I've had H&S Consultants give me the most garbage paperwork that has then been absoluetly destroyed by the fire service and local authorities as inadequate.
Because Directors /Senior management cannot be compliant,OR agree to any work being carried out ( which in their eyes is just a waste of money ) I always think it is better to put your recommendations/concerns down in an e.mail and send it all to everyone concerned.And ask for a send / read receipt.If they reply thats even better.And then if something does go wrong,they cannot use the usual get out clause of we never knew anything about that,nobody told us etc.At the end of the day they will just try to cover their own backs.
100% agree Don.
I got stung by this very early on in my career and the next time the company tried to throw me under the bus I dropped a folder of evidence on their desk and ended up with a decent payout not to then drop it on the local authorities desk.
Always keep records. Always make your recommednations in written form. 'I told you' will never protect you. To Quote Cathy Ryan, if you dont write it down, it didnt happen.
Occupation: 46 years experience with a metropolitan Fire Brigade and then Fire Safety Manager for a global brand.
Now sort of retired from the fire safety game, but doing the odd job here and there to keep my grey matter working and as I hate sudoku and havent got the back for an allotment
Location: Sunny London where the streets are paved with gold ;)
joaorosa80 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:19 pm
Hi all,
As professionals, and some of us IOSH members, shouldn't we blow the blow the whistle and walk away?
And there's the dilemma. At what point does that threshold get crossed?
As a professional I work damn hard to do the right thing and ensure compliance. Article 5(4) of the Fire Safety Order means I can be treated as the Responsible Person if I mess up. That's anything from a fine up to serving time in Her Majesty's Travelodge. But I would be sacked, and at my tender age - and with the reputation of being a whistle blower, I would struggle to get a job collecting trolleys in my local Aldi
So, as discussed here, I have recorded my advice and have copies of e-mails from 2 x Directors tucked away. And, as I will enter the details of the disputed issue on the Fire Risk Assessment on every annual review. I have also written to every manager in this particular building to share the outcome of my risk assessment review and the inaction by management. I hope they will take up the fight as its their backsides that will get toasted. I am not comfortable with this approach , but I also have responsibilities putting a meal on the table at home
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