Safety! Am I really that old???

[vxwestie]

This is a little tongue and cheek, but at 42 I'm beginning to feel like a bit of a dinosaur in the trade when it comes to safety.
Whilst I appreciate the need to obey the rules and lunacy of the big sites, but is there any of use originals still left that use common sense over rules?

is there anyone still like me that goes to work wearing trainers and not steelies? Uses aluminium steps and ladders without fall arrest and fixings for the bottom? Is there anyone else who has never worn a hard hat for a day in their life, works on live equipment daily, walks on the bare rafters in the loft space, doesn't own ear defenders or goggles? Climbs on a chair, pallet, bucket or anything practical when being too lazy to walk to the van? Has never seen a 'risk assessment' let alone completed one! Has had the same 'hi viz' waistcoat in its wrappings for the last 5yrs?
Does anyone else still have the skill to use a shape Stanley knife? Does anyone else still trust their instincts of only do what is permitted by laws and regulations?
Does anyone else never wear gloves and use bits of cardboard and insulation tape to stop the flow of the red stuff?

Is there anyone else out there that were taught to use their common sense and still managing to be alive after 20+ years in the trade? Or am I the only survivor?

 

[PEG]

Aye,you have to move with the times...which is why i have ceased to send my youngest lad,up the chimneys anymore...preferring to employ an adult goose,instead :hair:

 

[Spoon]

Aye,you have to move with the times...which is why i have ceased to send my youngest lad,up the chimneys anymore...preferring to employ an adult goose,instead :hair:

True mate, we do have to move with the times but things don't always improve.
At what age goes a goose become an adult....

 

[Paul.M]

Only read the first post (atm) but you have a really good point!

A few weeks ago I cut my finger down to the bone with a hacksaw! The 18 year old apprentice said "I'll get the first aid kit from your van". I just laughed and got blue tape from my toolbox. Well..... you have to use blue, the flow of blood has now been neutralized :rofl:

ok...fine...the first aid kit would have been better (I'm a first Aider and should know better lol) but it was a simple and clean cut, bit of tape and carry on regardless. The look on his face was priceless!! Just tape it up and get on with the job ffs.

 

[YoungBart]

I think something's are common sense, I would never go on site without steel toe capped boots, I see some lads wandering around in trainers and dread to think what would happen if they dropped something or stood on a nail etc. I would never drill (above my head at least) or angle grind etc without goggles.
But I don't see why I should wear gloves for connecting a socket up, The worst H&S Thing for me is the stupid podium step/scaffold rule, There is nothing wrong or unsafe about a correctly used pair of steps, And those who do use them incorrectly are just as likely to use a mobile scaffold incorrectly, At least falling from stepladders gives you a chance of trying to make a safe landing, Falling in a tower scaffold is like being in a cage.
I also feel sorry somewhat for some site managers, Having last year completed my SMST course some of the pressure they are under is ridiculous, Having to ensure everyone on site stays safe, Deal with complaints, keep the client happy and complete all the relevant paper work. It must be a nightmare.

 

[YoungScud]

This has reminded me of those conversation you have with your grandparents. You know, "Three hundred of us in a room and kitchen, rusty nails for breakfast, porridge skin shoes on our feet, but we were happy." Absolute tosh. The fact that you might have survived so far means nothing other than sheer luck. Too many good people haven't, and it wasn't always their fault. Yes, there are people like the OP still around. We call them dinosaurs.

 

[Pete999]

This has reminded me of those conversation you have with your grandparents. You know, "Three hundred of us in a room and kitchen, rusty nails for breakfast, porridge skin shoes on our feet, but we were happy." Absolute tosh. The fact that you might have survived so far means nothing other than sheer luck. Too many good people haven't, and it wasn't always their fault. Yes, there are people like the OP still around. We call them dinosaurs.

If I had my way I would horse whip you cheeky young whipersnapper lol

 

[malcolmsanford]

This has reminded me of those conversation you have with your grandparents. You know, "Three hundred of us in a room and kitchen, rusty nails for breakfast, porridge skin shoes on our feet, but we were happy." Absolute tosh. The fact that you might have survived so far means nothing other than sheer luck. Too many good people haven't, and it wasn't always their fault. Yes, there are people like the OP still around. We call them dinosaurs.

You know what son you must be a bundle of giggles having a pint with..................

The OP first few words were "tongue in cheek" and you have managed to insult him and revert to norm.

You have got to get out more, honestly try a smile first and then work your way up

 

[telectrix]

If I had my way I would horse whip you cheeky young whipersnapper lol

not allowed these days. anyway, he's probably been issued with steel lined underpants by H&S.

 

[Spoon]

The young are not allowed to smile. It's not cool to smile. All selfies have to have a sad face an a hand gesture that looks like you have a broken wrist and had a few finders amputated....

 

[YoungScud]

No stereotyping there then. As of the end of next month I'll be a pensioner.

 

[malcolmsanford]

No stereotyping there then. As of the end of next month I'll be a pensioner.

I'm assuming this is for me.................whether 18 or 80.........principle is basically the same, you need to lighten up a little........

 

[Spoon]

or it could be aimed at me, in which case I will stamp my feet, go into a sulk and cry for the rest of the day.....

 

[PEG]

No stereotyping there then. As of the end of next month I'll be a pensioner.

Nice lob back,over the net...

I accept that in some accidents,there is an element of "happenstance",but in the main,you lower your chances,by taking safety related choices.

...Or you would have to say,"Why bother looking left and right?...people get run over anyway..." :vanish:

 

[vxwestie]

Well, lots of different views in this thread!
Its obvious too that some people really are going too soft! For me safety is a personal thing, and my safety is my responsibility and no-one else. I will never rely on someone else to ensure my safety. It's my judgement as far as I'm concerned, if I trust myself not to be stupid enough to stand on a nail or drop something on my feet then I will continue to wear trainers, if I trust myself not to be stupid enough to work underneath someone working above me, I will continue not to wear a hard hat. If I trust myself not to be stupid enough to touch something live, then I'll continue to work on live apparatus. If a job is possible from a ladder or steps then i will make the job as easy and as cost effective as possible by doing so.
My personal safety is just that. Personal and as much as I can, I will be the one to judge what is safe and what is not. Afterall, I'm a qualified and experience operative, no-one knows better than i do.



edited to add,
my own reply has gotten me thinking.... Perhaps those who rely on safety and insist on the removal of all risk really are not capable of making the correct judgements for themselves or have the ability or confidence to be in control of their own well being?

 

[vxwestie]

You know what son you must be a bundle of giggles having a pint with..................

The OP first few words were "tongue in cheek" and you have managed to insult him and revert to norm.

You have got to get out more, honestly try a smile first and then work your way up

i can't take it serious enough to take offence.

But, yes, perhaps luck does have something to do with it, but not nearly as much as common sense, experience and knowledge.
perhaps in many people's eyes my methods aren't PC, but I continue in a successful business, make money, satisfy customers and do a good and professional job without all the pathetic softy safety approach. .... And I will certainly continue to do so.