Health and Safety

[traveller2]

I thought I would open this topic as ive read on here so much about how people dont like the rules imposed on them in their 'home country's'.
Dont get me wrong, im all for h+s, but used with common sense.

I work in manufacturing and there is a very strong h+s ethic within the company, but its sometimes taken too far in my opinion. For instance, we can be sacked on the spot if seen using a mobile phone whilst walking, texting or talking on one.
Someone I knew was sacked for doing just that a couple of years ago.
To me this appears to be a bit harsh.

Im sure some of you will have comments and story's to tell. Feel free to add any stories you might have that drive you mad or you think are good ideas.

[PeteC]

Regardless of the country or working environment, companies will implement whatever rules they feel will save them money, pure and simple. Concerning the cell phones, I'm sure it's just as much about lost productivity time as it is about injury from inattention to surroundings and possible insurance claims. If the rules become too draconian it's time to approach your labour union to try to do something about it. Pete

[MrPlum]

The trouble with rules or laws is they are too blunt an instrument. If you allow some leeway for the good guy, you have to allow leeway for the rest.

That worker who plays games, texts his Thai bar girl, or calls his bookie to see if his nag crossed the finish line, screws it up for those who need to check on a seriously ill relative, a suicidal spouse or a call from his offspring trapped by a gang of internet bashers, bent on giving him a virtual radishing.

Normally a worker isn't fired for a single transgression since it's expensive to recruit, train and wait for a replacement to gain suitable experience. Are you sure there isn't more to your sacked worker's case?

The supervisor is caught between a rock and a hard place. He knows the chances of an accident are remote, however, he has to apply the rules or he can lose his job too. The company knows the rules are too draconian but in a society where a company can be driven out of business through legal action, they are only protecting themselves. Think asbestos. Perhaps they are forced to implement some rules by their insurers?

H&S obviously carries a cost and foreign firms, where workers wear flip-flops while welding and no safety helmet, goggles etc.. are going to be more attractive to corporations, hence the shipping of millions of jobs to the 'disposable' third world. Globalization is a good idea for the balance sheet but a bad one if you are replaced by an Indian Call center. Likewise H&S. A good idea for worker protection but at the cost of destroying domestic manufacturing.

Rules are a pain until someone dies. Then you want to know why rules weren't in place.

[traveller2]

I actually agree with most of what you say Mr Plum. What you say makes a lot of sense.
The person sacked had not clocked in to work at that point, but was on the company premises, walking down the path towards the main building whist talking on the phone. As far as im aware they held an excellent work record and had no other indiscretions on record.
True, the company are doing this to prevent accidents ad possible legal issues, but it still feels severe to me.

The real reason I shared this with people was to see if anyone else had stories they wished to share? They may be to let off steam or just amuse people?