Archaeology and the EU

[Bier Keller]

For a longtime now we have been bombarded with EU directives for this, EU directives for that, EU directives for t'other. I'm sure we all read at some point some new idea from Brussells that we think is idiotic, that we have rolled our eyes at.

Does anyone know if there are any EU regulations on arcaheological standards and site H&S? The reason I ask is that increasingly I am getting narked at getting stick for doing work that would meet UK standards and have to knock out work which is frankly p*ss poor. (eg the standard of site photography is atrocious and yet I get aggro for producing well composed shots)

The H&S on my site/in my firm (mentioning no names of course) is laughable. eg no boots, hi-viz or hardhats with plant running about...my request for help holding the step ladder whilst I up it frequently results in raised eyebrows and low-level insults. Never any sort of H&S briefing either - yep I know that a lot of stuff on these briefings is common sense - don't eat the dirt etc - but newbies may be unaware that that seemingly old power cable is actually very alive and seriously upset their day if they put a spade through it.

Are there any EU regs that are actually useful to archaeology that I could quietly mention? I don't want to contact the local authorities to clarify this issue of standards as I fear that if that became known then I would have a black mark against me - even though I am trying to improve standards (well standards as I see them anyway)

Beer is your friend

[kevin wooldridge]

There is a EU Health and Safety at Work group

http://osha.europa.eu/en

However,.......

......I remember when working in Germany in the 90s that the constrcution project on which we worked was visited on a regular basis by a kind of German version of the Health and Safety executive that also checked on employment eligibility and insurance etc. It was interesting because it was a joint government and trade union body.

However, the day before any 'unannounced visit' by said body the main contractor was 'tipped off' and any potentially dangerous activities curtailed and all 'illegally' employed staff told to stay away from site that day.

So nothing new under the sun......

With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...

[beamo]

With regard to H&S, the EU will issue Directives on various issues that set out what the overall aims are.

Each member country then has to produce the legal instruments (usually Regulations in the UK) that incorporate the aims of the Directive into the legal framework of that country. For Germany therefore there should be the equivalent of our Regulations that cover, for example, Manual Handling, PPE etc.

With regard to archaeological standards I am not aware of any EU Directive that addresses this issu. There are various international Conventions (e.g. Valetta) but these are not legally binding on EU member states, only on those that sign up to them.


Beamo

[Bier Keller]

Thanks Beamo and Kevin,

you have both confirmed what I suspected already. Guess I will have to bash on with what I know to be good, safe practices and maybe it will sink in eventually.

I was shocked recently to hear in a half-joking, half-serious (this is what we would like you to do) way that if an accident with plant occured, the victim should stay in situ whilst waiting for the ambulance and a hard hat will be laid on the ground next to them to cover the company.

I have to say though its not just archaeological companies that seem to have H&S as an optional thing - on every building site I have been on over here with plant or other dangers - PPE is never worn. I will follow up that link kevin, because this just cannot be right.

Another thing - we tend to work with virtual grids and so rarely use grid pegs. When I have had to use a grid peg I always cover the end with a mushroom cap. When I answer the question as to just what I have down and why I always get a funny "Der Englander ist crazy" look. Perhaps building sites over here have a spotless H&S record....I doubt it though.

Beer is your friend