EA is failing in its responsobilities regarding lock starcases.

[Little Dipper]

I have just had an accident at a lock of which I do not want to identify as the keeper took my details and was very professional in dealing with my complaint and I thank him for his attention. The accident was not caused by him but the failings of EA.

I was passing through the lock after hours and as I descended a slimy staircase with an equally slimy handrail I slipped, flat on my back and ended up with slime all over my clothes and a nasty cut on my elbow. Should any infection ensue I will be putting in the hands of my solicitor and I am sure she will have a field day with this one!

In the conversation with the lock keeper he suggested I should have been wearing boating shoes. Rubbish! No doubt it was what he was told to say.

HEALTH AND SAFETY! Staircases should not be allowed to be slippery and that goes for handrails.

I am retired now but where I used to work HSE would have thrown the book at EA's attitude to safety.

Whilst I understand that the cleaning of lock walls had an environmentally downside, the safety aspect of lock staircases should not be ignored.

I intend to write to EA in the near future with regards to this subject and I would urge anybody else to do so.

 

[Actionmat]

I doubt if boating shoes would have made any difference. And Crocs would have sent you flying down the stairs, skimming over the water like a stone on a mill pond and over the gates.

I could be wrong, but I thought that health and safety was the reason why lock walls and staircases are no longer jetwashed clean? Something to do with the safety of the jet wash operative and not the public.
Most lock gardens are well kept and add to the beauty of the Thames. They are not complimented by green slimy walls that coat boats, fenders and the occassional boater,.
Sorry to hear about your accident, it sounds like it could have been much worse.

 

[oldgit]

Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

I intend to write to EA in the near future with regards to this subject and I would urge anybody else to do so.

Could I respectfully suggest you would much be happier taking up knitting or perhaps developing an serious interest in jig saw puzzles ?

 

[Old Crusty]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

The stairwells used to be power washed using water from the chamber until it was pointed out that the mist created contains over 50 different types of bacteria. Mains water could still be used. Back in time, caustic soda and bleach have been used but obviously the water creatures don't like it much.

The EA will defend any accusation by quoting the Thames Conservancy Acts and that boaters are responsible for their own safety. However, the Occupiers Liability Acts might be used to counter that argument.

 

[djm]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

The EA will defend any accusation by quoting the Thames Conservancy Acts and that boaters are responsible for their own safety. However, the Occupiers Liability Acts might be used to counter that argument.

I have little sympathy with boaters who are not alert enough to potential dangers to protect themselves but I am puzzled as to just where in the Thames Conservancy Acts you find the reference that you suggest might defend the EA from a claim of negligence?

 

[Time Out]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Could be worse, you could have fallen in.

They have been slippery since I was a child and I am 44 now.

Did you not use the elevator?

 

[Actionmat]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Could be worse, you could have fallen in.

They have been slippery since I was a child and I am 44 now.

Did you not use the elevator?

44?! A bit young for Thames boating, surely?

Now be a good lad and sit in the corner with a packet of smiths blue bag crisps and a bottle of Coke with a paper straw. Here's 10p for a couple of go's on Asteroid

 

[No Regrets]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Never used a lock staircase in 10 years, even single handed.

Why would you have a use for such a thing!? :ambivalence:

 

[Old Crusty]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

I have little sympathy with boaters who are not alert enough to potential dangers to protect themselves but I am puzzled as to just where in the Thames Conservancy Acts you find the reference that you suggest might defend the EA from a claim of negligence?

I haven't suggested that the TCA provides a defence against a charge of negligence. I merely stated the usual and historical fend off that all boaters are responsible for their own safety. If you read through the TCAS, you'll note that the master of any vessel is responsible for the navigation and conduct of himself and his crew.

The Occupiers Liability Act places a duty of care on property owners to ensure their property is safe. Note also that the EA has a grade 6 manager devoted to ensuring that works associated with public safety risk assessments are carried out. His name is Martin Bryan, have a chat with him. He works Monday to Wednesday.

 

[Akers_like]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Never used a lock staircase in 15 years, even single handed.

If the steps and rails look green and slimey why would you use them.

 

[Time Out]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

If only you knew.....

Most my boating is now in the Med on boats measured in metres ( and lots of them) which is why i enjoy the Thames.

However I am very good at skimming stones and can just about hit yours from The Boaters as I run past

 

[Time Out]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Is there an echo in the room ? You should be the one sitting in the corner !! Double identity!

 

[Actionmat]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

However I am very good at skimming stones and can just about hit yours from The Boaters as I run past

You may have noticed that the old girl has been upgraded for something almost as old but a bit bigger. Mind those stones and don't get my net curtains wet

 

[Parabordi]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Could I respectfully suggest you would much be happier taking up knitting or perhaps developing a serious interest in jigsaw puzzles?

++1 - Spot on Fred

 

[oldgit]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

One of the things which keeps enjoyment of the water alive over a lifetime is the sheer lack of uncertainty every time you clamber aboard, the slight frisson of risk which is simply not to be found in other dull time fillers such as golf or other alleged sports.
No matter how much risk is removed by the folks doing there best to run the river, it is up to you to be aware of your surroundings and if you come a cropper and suffer a bit of indignity, so be it.
The sense of achievement when you get back from your trip out, be it to the next lock or seeing the cliffs of Dover in the distance , is surely what draws us back again and again. ?
With no reflection on the original poster, it does become fairly obvious especially on the motorboat forums, who is into boating and who has merely bought a boat.?

 

[Alan ashore]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Never used a lock staircase in 15 years, even single handed.

If the steps and rails look green and slimey why would you use them.

Folks, it does depend how big your vessel is. For a self-service lock some of us have no realistic option.
But to echo others, I've never had any expectation of anything other than green and slimey, and act accordingly.

 

[TOKOLOSHI]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

This lady missed her footing from rafted yacht! She has visited our moorings many times, and was aware of the risk. After washing and changing carried on to party! Her agreement to allow us to use her picture to highlight the danger has been much appreciated!

 

[mersey]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Her agreement to allow us to use her picture to highlight the danger has been much appreciated!View attachment 72188

LOL, great picture. It's not like anyone could recognise her from it.

 

[Actionmat]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

Poor woman. She could have made a few bob as a human statue after that

 

[TOKOLOSHI]

Re: Its a dangerous world out there Innit ?

That would be the end of sailing for most! Torture didn`t end with the dunking, luckily the hose was laid out and the sun was shining so the first 50ft of water was nice and warm, after that Chinese water torture kicked in! I believe still sails the Bristol Chanel .