When managing a factory with approx 8 employees we had an inspection by HSE.

They noted safety bootsnot worn ( yet provided)

No ear defenders worn ( yet provided)

Gloves not worn ( yet provided)

Breathing mask (powder coating) not worn ( but provided)

Eye protection and sheilding ( normal goggles and sheilding for welding not used ( yet provided)

All safety notices as required fitted in prominant places.

Full accident book records ( none actually, and if you knew this lot your jaw would drop at that).

As we had provided and had appropriate notices we passed.

The inspector even said " well you can lead a horse to water but."...............you know the rest.

Must admit when it got busy on 3 welding benches the screening did go up more after 2 of them had "ARC Eye" for a week,

Had it myself, blinking physically hurts, sleep is not an option. One nasty nasty condition to have. Basically its the UV rays from the weld scaring the cornea, think sunburn on your eye. BIG OUCH.

but by regular auditing and spotchecks in place with a 'consequence' (disciplinary) for not using supplied kit would ahve been better. It could be argued if HSE were there and noticed why did no-one else. No PPE no worky.

I agree totally.

Powers that be, took another view.

Was glad to get away from there in the end.

Some proceedures about who could connect the mains and how were rather distasteful.

I refused to sign others work off on handover.

One bright "spark" cut all the earth bonding off a gate, reasoning the supply was 24vdc. He found it hard to realise there was 230vac in the control panel and could pass to the gates in a fault condition.

Terrible, absoloutly disgusting.

No, he was an actor.

God you fire blokes are so thick

lol

Yes and no - it shows what you're up against if trying to do it right.

We lose work on a regular basis by us quoting for 2 men and proper access to the guy with a ladder and a lot of faith in beating gravity.

that'll be me then

lol