[Tosh]

i did not see it in the dark in the morning.
Would i be liable if somebody slipped on it?

Ignorance is not a defence in the eyes of the law.

[Soupy]

Ignorance is not a defence in the eyes of the law.

I was not aware of that.

[AuRavelling79]

I blade or rag doors and if water falls on a path I sweep it away and carry a broom to do so. I will also put some ice melt down on a path that I have swept.

I've got too much work to not do it. So if I only get 75% done in a day because I am faffing about, so what?

[Marc Stock]

My pump head cracked this morning due to cold weather. So another one has been ordered and i can stay in the warm for the day.

[Smurf]

My pump head cracked this morning due to cold weather. So another one has been ordered and i can stay in the warm for the day.

Sorry to hear that Marc. I've trashed a hot water heater before due to frost but not a pump yet, What pump is it?
Did you forget to drain it down or use some other means to frost protect your kit?

[Spruce]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/weather/6958131/Health-and-safety-experts-warn-dont-clear-icy-pavements-you-could-get-sued.html

However, there must be a difference between what nature does and us putting water down. If its on a path or driveway I grit it. I don't even ask as I don't want someone denying that I asked and they said no.

We called Northumbrian water out to a leak the other day. When the first team had finished digging up the pavement and repairing the leak, they threw salt all over the area where water had been flowing. That was company policy so no one slipped so couldn't sue them.

So their policy was all about a duty of care to both their customers and to themselves. 

.

[Marc Stock]

My pump head cracked this morning due to cold weather. So another one has been ordered and i can stay in the warm for the day.

Sorry to hear that Marc. I've trashed a hot water heater before due to frost but not a pump yet, What pump is it?
Did you forget to drain it down or use some other means to frost protect your kit?

Yeah i must have forgotten to drain it down, hairline crack on the inlet and outlet manifold, pump was going crazy today. Took me ages to trace the issue cos it wasnt that obvious right away. Fortunately i bought the pump from Vyair and was able to order a new manifold head and seals kit.

[G Griffin]

My pump head cracked this morning due to cold weather. So another one has been ordered and i can stay in the warm for the day.

You weren't on an Aldi car park, were you?

[Marc Stock]

Nooo. Lol i was in Pyrford today..

[Soupy]

Thing is, if there was a problem (someone slips and breaks their neck), the hse would not be interested in what the Lidl manager said or what it says in a daily telegraph from 7 years ago. No, what the hse will want to see is risk assessments and method statements. Firstly, were they sufficient, secondly were they followed.

If your risk assessment (or even a health and safety meeting) says don't put grit down because you might be admitting liability, my missus says so: You. Are. Screwed.

[Dry Clean]

Thing is, if there was a problem (someone slips and breaks their neck), the hse would not be interested in what the Lidl manager said or what it says in a daily telegraph from 7 years ago. No, what the hse will want to see is risk assessments and method statements. Firstly, were they sufficient, secondly were they followed.

If your risk assessment (or even a health and safety meeting) says don't put grit down because you might be admitting liability, my missus says so: You. Are. Screwed.

Your screwed either way, the only sensible option is not to put water on the ground in the first place.  I wouldn't have lost more than 5 or 6 weeks in total over this last 10 years because of freezing conditions, if you cant manage or work your business around that there's something wrong with your business plan.

[Soupy]

Thing is, if there was a problem (someone slips and breaks their neck), the hse would not be interested in what the Lidl manager said or what it says in a daily telegraph from 7 years ago. No, what the hse will want to see is risk assessments and method statements. Firstly, were they sufficient, secondly were they followed.

If your risk assessment (or even a health and safety meeting) says don't put grit down because you might be admitting liability, my missus says so: You. Are. Screwed.

Your screwed either way, the only sensible option is not to put water on the ground in the first place.  I wouldn't have lost more than 5 or 6 weeks in total over this last 10 years because of freezing conditions, if you cant manage or work your business around that there's something wrong with your business plan.

Or you live somewhere colder than SeanK

[martin hulstone]

Thing is, if there was a problem (someone slips and breaks their neck), the hse would not be interested in what the Lidl manager said or what it says in a daily telegraph from 7 years ago. No, what the hse will want to see is risk assessments and method statements. Firstly, were they sufficient, secondly were they followed.

If your risk assessment (or even a health and safety meeting) says don't put grit down because you might be admitting liability, my missus says so: You. Are. Screwed.

You do not have to write out Ra/Ms if you employ less than 5 people so that would not apply to most window cleaners, so in most cases hse would not need you to provide any such thing.
You are only required to do a visual inspection of the area before any jobs that require it.

[Smurf]

You are still responsible for your own and others safety though regardless if you do a rams or not.
No good saying at the start of a job it's ok when it's not or when circumstances change which can put yourself and others at risk.

Speaking of which people can do stupid things which reminds me of a pressure washing job I did when the drainage was very bad. Smarty pants thought it was a good idea to uplift the manhole cover. Then proceded to fall in it 10 mins later... It was quite a deep one as well 

[martin hulstone]

I do not disagree but I am informing other window cleaners who employ less than 5 that HSE would not want to see a pre written RA/MS as it is not a legal requirement to have one!

[Soupy]

I do not disagree but I am informing other window cleaners who employ less than 5 that HSE would not want to see a pre written RA/MS as it is not a legal requirement to have one!

I didn't know that. Is it definitely correct?

From HSE:

You should carry out an assessment before you do work which presents a risk of injury or ill health.
You only need to do a risk assessment if you are an employer or a self-employed person.

It is a legal requirement for every employer and self-employed person to make an assessment of the health and safety risks arising out of their work. The purpose of the assessment is to identify what needs to be done to control health and safety risks. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/faq.htm#q8

Added after (reading it properly)

You only need to record the assessment if you have five or more employees. See 'What do I need to record?

[martin hulstone]

It is correct yes, I am not the brightest  on a computer so cannot download or whatever you call it but if you  type in RA/MS rse and read down you will see that you are not required to write one if employing under 5.

[Soupy]

It is correct yes, I am not the brightest  on a computer so cannot download or whatever you call it but if you  type in RA/MS rse and read down you will see that you are not required to write one if employing under 5.

You live and learn.

[martin hulstone]

Look under frequently asked questions.   What do I need to record, think you should find it there

[Soupy]

Look under frequently asked questions.   What do I need to record, think you should find it there

Aye, I see it now.