watch your health + safety.

[k4mrc]

just had a 'claim' completed, went on for 2 years

many thanks to Standard + Si serve for all the help. they have forgot in what way

but -

watch your health + safety. keep all your 'risk assess records and machinery records up to date, as this is a 'very big' factor in any claims made against you.

staff training records, machine checks, in fact even if you fart!

its getting so crazy, i have just taken on another member of staff to try to help keeping it all up to date!

this all went tits up about 2 years ago with the slightest of cuts i ever have seen in this game, the person in question slipped on the band scourer, went to hospital just to be safe, the nurse who saw him told me later it was a 'flesh wound' no problem. he went to a 'no win no fee' solicitors who also got him to take an insurance policy out 'just in case' -

you can imagine the letters and visits over that time, made me want to sell up and get out! (wish).

anyhow, it finally came to an end, my insurance went up £200-00 and i was told i had to stay with this company due to small print!

they paid - £12,000.00

i have fallen over twice,

for a small flesh wound! scratch!

this country is getting like America!!

i will add to this story as the next weeks roll on - i am sure it has not ended yet!

[safelycrackers]

Don't sack him otherwise he will take you to unfair dismissal tribunal as well! Although I guess you booted his ass out the door a long time ago!

[StevenB]

incredible

[grahamparker]

Unfortunatly you will not be the only one to suffer in this way.

 

About 14 years ago we had an employee who had taken his holidays and

then requested another week off to move in with his new (and first) girlfriend.

 

As we had about 8 employees who were also due holidays my dad said no,but he took the time off anyway.

 

The next week when he arrived for work my dad sacked him.

 

At the time my dad hadn't realised what a stupid mistake this was,after about 4 months

we were called to an employment tribunal and had to pay him about £8500.00 and

we had to take him back on.Luckily he worked for 3 days got his money and handed

in his notice.

 

This in some way led to my dad haveing a breakdown and retiring from work,he had always

believed you can hire and fire whoever you like.

 

Sad the way things like this can put people out of business,i personally must have scoured my knuckles

off at least 5 times in the early years.Think of the money i could have got.

 

Best thing is if you can come through this o.k. you can only get wiser and stonger.

 

Hope it doesn't get any worse.

[Dean]

I've just read this topic...what sort of things should we as employers be looking to do to protect ouselves then?

 

There's the obvious like putting warning signs on all the machines such as, 'always wear eye protection' but even with that, in our trade you could make a million and one signs with all the machinery we use!

 

Can you get staff members to sign some sort of disclaimer?

[petercoulson]

I've just read this topic...what sort of things should we as employers be looking to do to protect ouselves then?

 

There's the obvious like putting warning signs on all the machines such as, 'always wear eye protection' but even with that, in our trade you could make a million and one signs with all the machinery we use!

 

Can you get staff members to sign some sort of disclaimer?

 

No, its a headache really but if you identify a risk you must do all you can to reduce/eliminate it. If this includes wearing eye protection then you must provide it and ensure staff wear it, if they don't on purpose it is up to them but if it is a regular thing you may have to stop them carrying out that task. As well as protecting the person make sure the machines have adequate guards, done properly you may be able to see no need for eye protection - if no chippings or sparks fly up no need to protect against