QHM Portsmouth Requiring Risk Assessments from Sailing Clubs.

[oldmanofthehills]

It wasn't an incompetent H & S manager it was a visit, in force, by the H & S authorities to the Unilever Building, London.

Like the fellow said an incompetent H&S Manager - a fool masquerading as an angel

 

[prv]

Like the fellow said an incompetent H&S Manager

+1

I don't know who did what in your wife's workplace, but the abolition of kettles from office buildings is not a goal of the HSE.

IBM used to ban kettles as a condition of its catering contract with Eurest, to prevent competition with their on-site coffee bars. Sure there isn't some similar shenanigan going on at Unilever?

Pete

 

[Daverw]

I’ve removed a kettle in the past that would have been under H&S but due to failure of PAT test, which would have been covered on the locations H&S risk assessment but nothing to do with the use of a kettle

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I’ve removed a kettle in the past that would have been under H&S but due to failure of PAT test, which would have been covered on the locations H&S risk assessment but nothing to do with the use of a kettle

You are quite correct. I assumed working kettle with PAT test, suitably placed with plug nearby and with suitable uncrowded access etc. I also assumed that office manager had a simple risk register stating proper mitigations of unavoidable risk (like the need of staff to have hot drink somewhere) If it was untested kettle and office manager was gung ho then HSE might insist it should be addressed very promptly, and gung ho manager might just throw kettle away.

 

[prv]

I’ve removed a kettle in the past that would have been under H&S but due to failure of PAT test, which would have been covered on the locations H&S risk assessment but nothing to do with the use of a kettle

And only one damaged or faulty item which can then be replaced, not "banned all kettles" in the entire building for ever more.

Pete

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The reality is any club organising an event should carry out a risk assessment, it is common sense. I think the big problem with QHMs form is that it is expected to cover every type of event from the smallest to the biggest. Perhaps the Pompey clubs need to be sensible and get together with QHM and come up with one or two purpose made forms that cover the types of event they will host. That way QHM will get adequate risk assesments, club effort will be optimised and every one

I think QHM has pretty much got that covered and I was quite impressed with the form and the guidance. Basically they seem to be saying a quick evening dinghy race is fine as long as you stay away from the channels, etc. Bloody shame Hayling Island is outside QHM limits.


From https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/leisure/events/risk-assessments

Club Events


Three risk assessment models are included in this guidance note, providing for Major, Medium and Minor events.


A Major Event is one which is likely to have a major impact on the operation of the harbour, requiring special arrangements agreed in advance with the harbour authority, for which a full risk assessment should be prepared, in consultation where appropriate with the emergency services. Examples of such events are the Round the Island Race (1700 competitors plus spectators) or the start of the Volvo Round the World Race (a small number of competitors but many hundreds of spectator craft).


A Medium Event is one having a noticeable impact on the operation of the harbour but for which the harbour authority would not need to consider special arrangements in advance, and for which a standard form 12 month risk assessment form can be used.


A Small Event is one having little or no impact on the operation of the harbour and with minimal risks to non-participants. For these events, for which a formal risk assessment is inappropriate, a standard notification form can be used, whether for a one-off event, or a series of small events (e.g. “Thursday evening Cadet training”).​