Can/should/do You Turn A Blind Eye?

[back_ache]

I know a lot of us on here have kids at school, when my two started primary school I got involved with the PTA after seeing some of the stunts they were pulling with the temporary electrics at their events.

I've done well so far in getting things turned around and bumped into a dad who'd been involved for years and said though he's a electrician "you learn to turn a blind eye"

I'm not suggesting we walk the streets like lone gun-fighters with meters and tools always strapped to our belts ready for action, but what are your personal rules about when to get involved (or not) with something outside of your paid work?

 

[ruston]

In the scenario in your post you are right not to turn a blind eye.
I would never turn a blind eye. in any matters relating to safety.

 

[Dan]

I voted randomly there. Just testing the voting system. Seems to work. Well done.

 

[Pete999]

Let it be where kiddies are concerned? no way get involved, stir it up it's your dutu, after H&S is everyone's concern.

 

[Rpa07]

Look at the "fatally flawed" campaign - WE all know that those socket inserts may have their place in respect to stopping appliances being plugged in BUT someone stepped up for that one and after a very lot of hard work is getting results albeit still to blinded eyes. You have to step in with anything where it involves safety and you have the knowledge to back it up. I carry a "rolled up regs book" like the Fonz did in 'Happy days' - oh and a comb for my Quiff!

 

[oracle]

My wife says I'm over the top, everywhere I go I look at the way a shop, mall, garage etc has been installed /managed designed

 

[Rpa07]

I walk around in shops and supermarkets with my head in the air looking at how things are wired and how neatly it's done - must look like a nutter!

 

[Adam W]

I walk around in shops and supermarkets with my head in the air looking at how things are wired and how neatly it's done - must look like a nutter!

I think all electricians do that, I certainly do. In most cases that's as far as it goes though - I might think their tray work is a mess, or notice a cracked socket in the supermarket, but it's not my place to say anything - as an old boss used to say, "we're not the electrical police".

In the context of the original post there's nothing wrong with using your knowledge and experience to help out in a situation where you might otherwise be giving up your free time - you probably wouldn't let your Grandma take her life into her hands every time she boils the kettle just because you clocked off at 5pm sharp on Friday afternoon.

 

[oracle]

Well, that depends if grandma is rich, the legacy would be handy, but if she's poor who will do the cooking and cleaning when she's gone?

 

[PEG]

Promise myself i won't get involved...then i do...

Had to give evidence,at a HSE investigation,due to a defect i spotted at a local authority yard,which resulted in a serious injury to an employee 6 hours later...i was only there to inspect another piece of kit,not connected to the first...no thanks off anybody for that one.

I questioned the safety of using a petrol engined blower,to inflate the rubber zorbs,at a kids play feature,Cheshire show,one year....20 mins later,i'm cutting the hair of a 13 year old girl,with me pen-knife,whose previously long locks,had been sucked into the intake grille,jamming the hot engine against her head...

I've a list of these...every time,i pretend i'll not bother...you have to get involved,to have any confidence in the functionality of "society".

So,obstructed DB,crying kid at the park,old dear on the floor...there i am,poking me nose in...hoping someone has a similar notion,the day i have a monumental rectal prolapse,moving me anvil collection about ...and steps up,to sink-plunger me back to fullness

 

[oracle]

Peg you are so right! Trouble is here in Britain we don't want to get involved / it's none of my business / I may get abuse the list goes on.

The child was hurt because even though you did raise concerns no one was prepared to do anything about it. What could we do, cut the supply? Turn off the generator? Shout "Dangerous, keep away!"

 

[ruston]

I agree with both of the above posts. You may never know what you have prevented , but it would be nice to think that you have saved some incident that could of been avoided, and possibly some families anguish.

 

[Barry White]

sometimes you have to step forward abuse is better than death/injury. I do have a blind eye tho which I can cast over most things or you wouldent get nothing done (never noticed the kettle in the canteen had not been pac tested it looked ok and i wanted a tea) its done now priority one.