19th January 2010, 03:21 PM
What's site prospecting? Is that like going out and digging holes randomly until you find a possible site?
The H&S legislation seems pretty vague. At the end of the day, is there a risk to your health and/or safety? The answer is probably only if you are OVER-exposed to adverse weather. The protective clothing thing isn't very meaningful because it doesn't define how it is designed to protects you from harm. A warm jacket might be provided by an employer, for example, but you might not wear it constantly cos you,ve warmed up swinging a mattock - and they might then insist you wear even when it is uncomfortable - much like a hard hat is required even when not being immediately protective. I think your own thermal underwear or lack of them is your own responsibility, not an employer's - as long as H&S isn't threatened (and as long as specialist clothing isn't required). An employer should be able to boot you off site for not wearing appropriate clothing (ie not safe). I think the responsibility should rest on your own shoulders as well the employers.
I believe there should be temporary work stoppages in adverse/extreme weather, but the employer should also be protected from the client denying payment for full working days when staff are subject to such stoppages for a couple of hours of each day. Surely the only way to do that is for temporary work stoppages to be required by law in adverse weather.
I find I can work out in the extreme cold for short periods and feel no ill effects, whilst working for longer begins to numb the brain as well as other parts. That has to be dangerous surely? What appears to be required is some sort of legislation that defines recommended work and stoppage time in "extreme" conditions.
The H&S legislation seems pretty vague. At the end of the day, is there a risk to your health and/or safety? The answer is probably only if you are OVER-exposed to adverse weather. The protective clothing thing isn't very meaningful because it doesn't define how it is designed to protects you from harm. A warm jacket might be provided by an employer, for example, but you might not wear it constantly cos you,ve warmed up swinging a mattock - and they might then insist you wear even when it is uncomfortable - much like a hard hat is required even when not being immediately protective. I think your own thermal underwear or lack of them is your own responsibility, not an employer's - as long as H&S isn't threatened (and as long as specialist clothing isn't required). An employer should be able to boot you off site for not wearing appropriate clothing (ie not safe). I think the responsibility should rest on your own shoulders as well the employers.
I believe there should be temporary work stoppages in adverse/extreme weather, but the employer should also be protected from the client denying payment for full working days when staff are subject to such stoppages for a couple of hours of each day. Surely the only way to do that is for temporary work stoppages to be required by law in adverse weather.
I find I can work out in the extreme cold for short periods and feel no ill effects, whilst working for longer begins to numb the brain as well as other parts. That has to be dangerous surely? What appears to be required is some sort of legislation that defines recommended work and stoppage time in "extreme" conditions.