Telegraph poles?

[Flyfisher]

The yellow hazard signs on our ex-poles had a piece of yellow plastic glued over some of the lettering. While the electricity chaps were removing the poles I asked them about this and they told me that the first batch of signs stated "Danger High Voltage - Do Not Climb" but these were recalled on a directive from HQ that it was OK to have a 'warning' sign but not an 'order' sign. So the "Do Not Climb" lettering was masked over and was subsequently removed altogether on later signs.

 

[biffvernon]

We've actually got a completely redundant telegraph pole on our land, the wires it once supported being long gone. We keep it as it is a favourite owl perch.

 

[skier-hughes]

The yellow hazard signs on our ex-poles had a piece of yellow plastic glued over some of the lettering. While the electricity chaps were removing the poles I asked them about this and they told me that the first batch of signs stated "Danger High Voltage - Do Not Climb" but these were recalled on a directive from HQ that it was OK to have a 'warning' sign but not an 'order' sign. So the "Do Not Climb" lettering was masked over and was subsequently removed altogether on later signs.

Whereas our local council/HSE advised us against the use of DANGER in a sign, becasue if you know it is causing a danger you should mitigate that. We were told to use WARNING on all our signs.

 

[Jon Maine]

So whats wrong in true Darwin award style of just inviting idiots to make their own mind up and if they are stupid enough to remove themselves from the gene pool society becomes stronger anyway :twisted:

All joking aside it troubles me that I am obliged to list and describe everyday tasks in the form of method statements and risk assessments for employees. It simply removes the necessity for anyone to think for themselves and therefore in my belief is likely to be counter productive as some people will only do what they are told and if a tricky situation were to arise unexpectedly they may not be able to deal with it and therefore put themselves at risk.

 

[Carol]

Our cats use the pole to access the wall to sit watching the birds and squirrels so its not really a sensible perch for any wise bird. And as for anyone trying to climb ours, they would risk serious splinters and given the rot at the base it may fall down.

Hmm now there's a thought.

Our solicitor now says there is no wayleave and we can ask them to move it at no cost to us, funny they didn't mention this when the Electricity Board visited.

 

[Carol]

And as for Risk Assessments ...AAAAAAAARGH!

I had to produce one to cover taking twelve children on a country walk, by the time I had finished I was almost too scared to contemplate going, which is ridiculous. So we go anyway and I do the obvious, as before!

 

[Jon Maine]

We all do risk assessments without even being to aware that we are doing it, well the majority of us anyhow.

For some strange reason when asked to put it onto paper what is natural and intuitive becomes difficult. I had a potential claim against me once and the insurer sent an investigator out. As I thought it would it came to nothing it was someone elses problem. The investigator asked me how many jobs we cover a year, at that time it was an average of 500 of various sizes. So he then asked how long I had been trading, 16 years at that time. He then made the point that I have undertaken some 8000 jobs with no insurance claims ( maybe a few small mishaps I covered) and in his opinion I was obviously adopting safe working practices.

However sadly I cant see a court of law being as pragmatic!!

 

[Penners]

it was OK to have a 'warning' sign but not an 'order' sign. So the "Do Not Climb" lettering was masked over and was subsequently removed altogether on later signs.

Did anyone venture an explanation of this decision? :?

 

[Penners]

He then made the point that I have undertaken some 8000 jobs with no insurance claims ( maybe a few small mishaps I covered) and in his opinion I was obviously adopting safe working practices.

However sadly I cant see a court of law being as pragmatic!!

Well, I'm not so sure. English law has always placed great store by what is "reasonable". If you've behaved "reasonably" then - usually - a court will not find you culpable.

Mind you, it then becomes a matter of subjective judgement as to what is reasonable, for any given set of circumstances.

 

[Jon Maine]

Well, how the law is structured now it requires you to formally train on a constant basis as an employer and give written method statements and risk assessments upon top of a training record.

I employ older men usually who can think for themselves, solves most problems.

 

[Penners]

Speaking as an older man, I'll take that as a compliment!

 

[Jon Maine]

I believe those taught with, cane, birch, board rubber thrown at them whilst using a piece of slate and chalk & abacus to name but a few are far more worthy citizens on the whole.

Who said violence and deprivation was a bad thing?? :lol:

 

[biffvernon]

I believe those taught with, cane, birch, board rubber thrown at them whilst using a piece of slate and chalk & abacus to name but a few are far more worthy citizens on the whole.

Who said violence and deprivation was a bad thing?? :lol:

I suppose a caveat about the 20th century having been marked by a few nasty incidents might be in order?

 

[Jon Maine]

I believe those taught with, cane, birch, board rubber thrown at them whilst using a piece of slate and chalk & abacus to name but a few are far more worthy citizens on the whole.

Who said violence and deprivation was a bad thing?? :lol:

I suppose a caveat about the 20th century having been marked by a few nasty incidents might be in order?

Indeed

I guess there must be a balance somewhere.

 

[Flyfisher]

I had a potential claim against me once and the insurer sent an investigator out. As I thought it would it came to nothing it was someone elses problem. The investigator asked me how many jobs we cover a year, at that time it was an average of 500 of various sizes. So he then asked how long I had been trading, 16 years at that time. He then made the point that I have undertaken some 8000 jobs with no insurance claims ( maybe a few small mishaps I covered) and in his opinion I was obviously adopting safe working practices.

That's one of the more sensible things I've heard about H&S - perhaps there is some hope after all. Give that inspector a medal!

 

[Flyfisher]

it was OK to have a 'warning' sign but not an 'order' sign. So the "Do Not Climb" lettering was masked over and was subsequently removed altogether on later signs.

Did anyone venture an explanation of this decision? :?

Unfortunately, no. The chaps I dealt with were only responsible for applying the yellow labels - they were "only following orders".

 

[Flyfisher]

Our solicitor now says there is no wayleave and we can ask them to move it at no cost to us, funny they didn't mention this when the Electricity Board visited.

Good news. Sounds like you're now in control of what happens to the poles.

 

[Jon Maine]

That is good news Carol, I thought you were well placed against them.

Just going back to the discussion of the yellow signs, I forgot to say here in our area they simply say "Danger of death".

 

[Penners]

I believe those taught with, cane, birch, board rubber thrown at them

Ah - school days... the happiest days of your life.

In these days of electronic displays and parental litigation, I imagine the teacher's traditional armoury has largely been abandoned. Which only leaves them psychological torture to fall back on. A poor substitute.

 

[Carol]

Even psychological torture is frowned on in schools these days.
:roll:
We have to use all our powers of persuasion and diplomacy, but mostly on the parents!