CSCS cards and IFA membership in job adverisements for diggers...what a laugh

[kevin wooldridge]

I was under the impression that company H&S policy in effect became H&S law -

In the widest sense that is true in that the law says it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure a safe working environment - but then there are certain 'prescriptions' that define minimum standards dependent upon the task involved i.e minimum welfare facilities, hours worked, adequate breaks etc etc. procedures that must be followed (risk assessments etc), reporting requirements and the need to make information available to employees. Of course most sensible company policies enshrine all of these requirements. H&S law also covers the responsibility of each and every individual for their own safety and the safety of others - clearly something above and beyond individual company policy. My problem with the CSCS scheme in general is that it encapsulates generic H&S procedures for sites whilst H&S law states that every task should be subject to an individual risk assessment. For example whilst wearing PPE might be generally a good idea, an individual risk assessment might conclude that that the wearing of such equipment constitutes a greater risk than not wearing it i.e people who normally wear spectacles having to take those off and wear safety goggles instead. No point in saving your eyes from risk if you then walk into a deep hole and break your leg (or worse)....