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?

 

[andyb]

Does anyone else still have the skill to use a shape Stanley knife?
Does anyone else use bits of cardboard and insulation tape to stop the flow of the red stuff?

Maybe you're not as skilled with a Stanley as you think.

 

[Blademan_98]

I wear steelies every day since I lost the end off my big toe when I was 18
I'm 50 now and work in an office but I still wear them!
I also find I wear glasses when grinding...... because I am as blind as a bat without them lol

 

[vxwestie]

Maybe you're not as skilled with a Stanley as you think.

ha, very good.... To be honest I can't remember the last time I slashed myself with a Stanley (I have an obsession with using new blades) .... It's usually the rusty nails under floorboards or blunt screwdrivers I impale myself on!

 

[ruston]

I wear steelies every day since I lost the end off my big toe when I was 18
I'm 50 now and work in an office but I still wear them!
I also find I wear glasses when grinding...... because I am as blind as a bat without them lol

My cousin slipped cutting the grass with a Flymo at home . His foot went under the cutter and took the end off his big toe.
You just never know when it is going to happen.

 

[Geordie Spark]

ha, very good.... To be honest I can't remember the last time I slashed myself with a Stanley (I have an obsession with using new blades) .... It's usually the rusty nails under floorboards or blunt screwdrivers I impale myself on!

Yes, I think you're more likely to get hurt using a blunt blade than a nice sharp new one - well I know I am.

 

[shanky887614]

I don't think it's anything to do with your age. I have worked under plenty guys who will be in their late 60s/early 70s now who always drummed into me the virtues of ear defenders, gloves, goggles, knife safety, safe isolation, never using ladders unfooted etc.
Mind you, the same guys showed me some working practices never to be repeated on an open forum too.

Do as i say not as i do XD i know the type and i do some of those things as well.

i was 4m up in a unit with legs wrapped around a steel beam while i threw it over the beam before i went down and started to climb a large ladder to connect the high bay lighting.

ive used a battery cherry picker after just being thrown the keys with the famous last words, " you will figure it out" take it out into the carpark to get used to the controls

 

[shanky887614]

Back in my day (god I am old) we were taught to check an inspect a wooden ladder to make sure it's safe, no assumptions were to made until you checked it for yourself... Then you used common sense on how to use it safety. It's a trait I still apply today.

Perhaps we are being soft as to who is suitable for the building industry and common sense is no longer a requirement

that was more to do with woodrot, ive watched a gardener when a wooden set fell apart when they were at the top :devilish: funiest thing id seen all week

 

[davesparks]

I have never ever ever climbed up a triple extension ladder at full extension held up vertical in free air by 4 heavy blokes hanging on to the bottom of it.

 

[ruston]

Do as i say not as i do XD i know the type and i do some of those things as well.

i was 4m up in a unit with legs wrapped around a steel beam while i threw it over the beam before i went down and started to climb a large ladder to connect the high bay lighting.

ive used a battery cherry picker after just being thrown the keys with the famous last words, " you will figure it out" take it out into the carpark to get used to the controls

Most old plant operators , farm machinery operators etc learned this way, once they had the gist of at least one machine.

 

[Andy78]

[/COLOR]

Most old plant operators , farm machinery operators etc learned this way, once they had the gist of at least one machine.

If you got eaten by the baler on the first day you clearly weren't cut out for the job, that sort of thing ?

 

[ruston]

We had a local farmer did exactly that , with the knotter.

 

[PEG]

Do as i say not as i do XD i know the type and i do some of those things as well.

i was 4m up in a unit with legs wrapped around a steel beam while i threw it over the beam before i went down and started to climb a large ladder to connect the high bay lighting.

ive used a battery cherry picker after just being thrown the keys with the famous last words, " you will figure it out" take it out into the carpark to get used to the controls

...I remember giving evidence,at a HSE investigation,where these very words,almost,were presented as part of the evidence of "training ",given to two painters.

They extended the 30 meter self-propelled boom,to almost full height,and traveled alongside a ship,in dry dock. Platform wheel went down a drain,and basket scribed an arc,on the ships' hull,which reached the ground,where their bodies were recovered...

Anyone who has had the pleasure of working in countries where there is no,safety,certainly appreciates efforts to improve this,here.

 

[shanky887614]

...I remember giving evidence,at a HSE investigation,where these very words,almost,were presented as part of the evidence of "training ",given to two painters.

They extended the 30 meter self-propelled boom,to almost full height,and traveled alongside a ship,in dry dock. Platform wheel went down a drain,and basket scribed an arc,on the ships' hull,which reached the ground,where their bodies were recovered...

Anyone who has had the pleasure of working in countries where there is no,safety,certainly appreciates efforts to improve this,here.

definitely but they were idiots for moving it while extended.

i had got a banksman and the path was clear, i also didnt move it while it was extended so perfectly safe.

im about 65kg (10stone) so even fully extended it wont be a problem

 

[ruston]

...I remember giving evidence,at a HSE investigation,where these very words,almost,were presented as part of the evidence of "training ",given to two painters.

They extended the 30 meter self-propelled boom,to almost full height,and traveled alongside a ship,in dry dock. Platform wheel went down a drain,and basket scribed an arc,on the ships' hull,which reached the ground,where their bodies were recovered...

Anyone who has had the pleasure of working in countries where there is no,safety,certainly appreciates efforts to improve this,here.

It wasn't much different in the early days here. Some of the machines were death traps too.

 

[Englishman]

Generally wear goggles when chasing, as well as a mask. Also wear a disposable rapist suit and mask when in attics. Knee pads all the time. Only wear gloves when I'm in filthy places. Steelies all the time unless doing a quick private job or just changing lights. Anything that risks my life, or my long term health, then I will always protect myself, think only an idiot wouldn't.

As for insulation tape, had it on my finger tonight after a mishap with a blade.