[Cathy]

This isn't a question or a request for help, but I just had to post it somewhere.

I'm tired of 'Statutory Instruments'. From what I know of them, this allows the 'government' to push through parliament any old legislation it chooses, without the need for any debate or discussion.

Over the last few weeks I have had to deal with WEEE, Health & Safety, New laws on sexual harrassment, New laws on 'unfair' trading practices.

We are a relatively small employer. I speak to staff face to face or by phone pretty much at least once a day, sometimes more.

So, why oh why, do I have to 'prove' that I consult with our staff about health and safety issues, by producing a policy, a form and getting them to sign that they know this and understand it??

If they have a concern they tell me. Maybe they will do that less now that I've had to make it 'formal', write it down etc etc.

I'm sooo sick and tired of this government, who believes that adults are incapable of taking care of themselves, speaking up for themselves or generally functioning without the government telling them to do so, how to do so, making them fill in forms in triplicate etc etc.

Gahh....sorry....just had to say it!!

[Indizine]

I think its more for the times of when you might have an accident in the workplace or a grievance etc, and have to prove you protected everyone and everything, that this stuff shows its importance. Think about insurance and claims!

[IP2]

It is simple.. This Labour Government sees only two uses for SME's ...

1/. To tax them to death, to squeeze every penny they can get
2/. To work them to death, by making them do all the red tape paperwork they want, so they can employ a few more people to read the needless forms and claim that they therefore need to raise taxes to pay for their employment,...this leads back to 1.

[Cathy]

Lol sorry Indizine.

Yes, I'm the 'appointed person' if that happens.

Please note the 'appointed person' does not have to be a first aider and indeed should not carry out first aid for which they are not trained. They are responsible for co-ordination, such as calling an ambulance.

I have of course informed all staff that they must think very carefully about applying a plaster, should a customer hurt themselves in the shop. Do they have the right training? Perhaps not. Much better that they intercom to me and I call an ambulance.

Obviously, should I myself be off sick for any reason then they must consider how they can call an ambulance and co-ordinate their response to the very serious situation of somebody who has a minor cut.

Sorry, in the real world, Mrs Jones walks into our shop says 'Oh dear I cut myself this morning.' Staff member says 'oh no, that looks nasty, do you think you need a plaster rather than that old piece of newspaper.' Mrs Jones, 'maybe you're right'. Staff member 'there you go, I have one just here'.

[Hayles]

Originally Posted by Cathy

Lol sorry Indizine.

Yes, I'm the 'appointed person' if that happens.

Please note the 'appointed person' does not have to be a first aider and indeed should not carry out first aid for which they are not trained. They are responsible for co-ordination, such as calling an ambulance.

I have of course informed all staff that they must think very carefully about applying a plaster, should a customer hurt themselves in the shop. Do they have the right training? Perhaps not. Much better that they intercom to me and I call an ambulance.

Obviously, should I myself be off sick for any reason then they must consider how they can call an ambulance and co-ordinate their response to the very serious situation of somebody who has a minor cut.

Sorry, in the real world, Mrs Jones walks into our shop says 'Oh dear I cut myself this morning.' Staff member says 'oh no, that looks nasty, do you think you need a plaster rather than that old piece of newspaper.' Mrs Jones, 'maybe you're right'. Staff member 'there you go, I have one just here'.

Spot on. Sad thing is we all probably now think about not doing the 'sensible' thing anymore just in case of an accident and we get sued. It's all gone far too far...

H

[admagic]

I agree entirely with the essential point of the post - and indeed that is ther reason I sold out of my last physical business 18 months ago....

Let me be non PC and say that one of the defining moments of my transition out of real business, was when an employee joined me already pregnant then wanted maternity leave a few months later....never to return: clearly in that instance, taking employment just to GET maternity leave and pay -. It leaves small employers in an impossible position.

And The difficulties now embodied in age discrimnation making sensible questions difficult on experience are proof that the government lives in cloud cuckoo land!!

However, I also think

The stuff on safety is in essence no bad thing. forcing employers to consider....
-do employees need training with manual lifting?
-is their posture ok when sitting at a computer?
-is sole working safe, and what safeguards are needed?
-what precautions are needed with chemicals and cleaning?
And forcing the employers to think it out for their own situation
etc etc
Right thinking employers did most of this anyway, but forcing all to do it
was no bad thing


Let me say also...the ideas of that were sown in 1974, and the six pack introduced a few years later, so nothing to do with the present inhabitants of downing street.

[Maxine]

Originally Posted by IP2

It is simple.. This Labour Government sees only two uses for SME's ...

1/. To tax them to death, to squeeze every penny they can get
2/. To work them to death, by making them do all the red tape paperwork they want, so they can employ a few more people to read the needless forms and claim that they therefore need to raise taxes to pay for their employment,...this leads back to 1.

Absolutely!!