Is it a bird?

Is it a plane?

No it’s…

Friday Update !

28/5/21

Election 2021

We will be holding a zoom nomination discussion at 12.00pm on Wednesday 2nd June. Details of how to join this meeting will be sent to all branch members on Tuesday 1st June.

More Election 2021

We have put out a request for the candidates to talk to our branch, so far we have a definite acceptance from Steve Turner’s cam who will be sending a representative along to a meeting on May 28, 2021. 

Its possible that Sharron Graham will speak to us as well, but that is a bit up in the air., likewise Howard Beckett. 

Elf ‘n’ Safety

I can hear your dry eyes squeaking from here as you roll them.

Look, I’ve been working for the university for a long time now, I’ve seen numerous attempts to impose a ‘safety culture’ on us. I’ve seen it shrugged off by old hands, made the butt of jokes, and treated as an inconvenience at best. ( I’m definitely guilty of this).

The thing is it’s still here…, it’s not going away, and the younger tradesman is fully clued up and on board. 

Field Trip.

 I went to a building site the other day, and the only people who were lacking PPE were some members of our party. Everyone else and I mean EVERYONE was wearing hats, glasses, gloves etc without giving it another thought, even “that bloke” you know the one… even that bloke was fully kitted out.

This is in construction, when I was a lad, construction PPE was wellies  and shorts in summer, going up to manky track suits in winter.

Things have changed…

OK Boomer!

And I’m going to have to change too, I don’t want to spend the next 20 years howling at the moon about Elf ‘n’ Safety gone mad wondering what “OK Boomer” means…(Ask a youngster).

 

Covering…

So is H&S, management covering their collective arses…

It may seem that way…

However a lot of H&S has been brought in due to union pressure. Men and women have been fighting to improve working conditions for over 150 years, and improved H&S is part of that.

At the end of the day (and I quote) 

“It’s about making sure you have the right kit, the right instruction, right training and right support to carry out work safely.”

Besides, ignoring your PPE to “stick it to the man” is a bit self defeating…

This Is Not Legal Advice!

 Trust me if you cut your toes off because you are working in flip flops, no one, not the union, not any ambulance chasing no win no fee law firm,not your mate down the pub who spends his days on legal forums on the net, and has his own wig , will be able to get you decent comp.

Moaning…

So am i going to stop moaning, ‘course not it’s my god given right as a tradesman/woman, to moan long and loud about everything from the weather to the colour of the paint in the car park.

And I want to hear your moans too, because no ones going to know the gloves don’t fit, the goggles steam up, and the hi vis jacket attracts flies in summer (that might just be me) if you don’t moan about it.

Finally… The Point…

You know your job better than me, or anyone else so you’re the best person to consult on how H&S applies to you.