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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:22 pm
by T-Star
Hello,
I’m doing research on the working conditions in the paving industry in England. Sadly, I haven’t found any specific information about government regulation related to the paving industry.
In the Netherlands there are several rules regarding the maximum allowed physical workload to which paviours may be subjected. For instance, areas with new paving above 1500m2 should be paved by machine, where possible. And there are several rules regarding lifting of heavy materials.
Are there any similar regulations in the UK? And where could I find those regulations on the internet? Which associations could be helpful for sharing that kind of information?
And yes, my English isn't perfect 
. I'm from the Netherlands
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:51 pm
by lutonlagerlout
not sure but i think the "health and safety executive " HSE cover this, i'm pretty sure no man is supposed to lift more than 25kg on his own,but google their name and you may find some more
tot ziens voor nu
achting
LLL 
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:55 pm
by Stuarty
Aye your right about the 25 kilo rule LLL. But regarding workload, areas over certain limits to be done with machine etc ive never came across any.
Let us know how you do
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:10 pm
by bobhughes
As far as I know there are no regulations relating specifically to this industry. Of course all thye usual stuff applies in respect of safe working practice/PPE/manual handling etc.
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:36 am
by mouldmaker
It's standard H&S good practice to remove the risk where possible and any risk assessment should gear towards that. However, phrases like 'where possible' and 'reasonably practicable' means that unless the job poses a significant risk of injury, steps can be taken to minimise the risk. In practice this means if you need a paving machine, but can't afford one, you buy a back support and take on a fit lad (over 18 - younger lads need extra cosseting) to help you out!
Health & Safety can be a minefield, and it doesn't help that most of their inspectors (in my experience) are wet behind the ears college kids who don't know their arses from their elbows, and wouldn't recognise a hazard if it ran over them.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/ gives you all the up to date information you need. And H&S Adviser is part of what I do (you learn fast after the HSE prosecute you, especially when you end up with a £10k fine!) so if you need any help, let me know.
Edited By mouldmaker on 1161329922
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:10 am
by T-Star
Thanks for the information so far. The site is very helpful too. But what is the exact power of this authority? For instance, if you don’t subject to certain regulations, is it possible that you get a fine? Or should I see it as some sort of a manual for keeping a good healthy en safe working environment?
mouldmaker wrote:In practice this means if you need a paving machine, but can't afford one, you buy a back support and take on a fit lad (over 18 - younger lads need extra cosseting) to help you out!
This is a false argument according to the Dutch health & safety inspection. You will get a warning when you break this rule. If this happens again you get a fine and when it repeats itself the fine will increase exponential.
So if it's possible to pave the area (>1500 m2) by machine it is prohibited to demand that the work should be done manually. Therefore the local authorities are also responsible for this matter. They can be fined too!
They expect that some paviors will/could quit their job due to this regulation because they are unable to comply with this new law. I'm curious too what the year 2007 will bring in the Netherlands.
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:08 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i suppose one thing to bear in mind is that general conditions are a lot different in holland,a lot of the country is very flat and a lot of land is reclaimed from the north sea
the fact that the land is flat means that any type of paving machine has a better chance of being used because there are no hills to worry about
also i assume the ground is not very hard ,judging by the state of the pavements in amsterdam i assume it is rather soft
to be honest i think these machines will probably only work on large public works jobs
how would they cope with a random pattern or stone flags for instance
cheers
LLL
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:16 pm
by seanandruby
there were four east europeans laying 600 x 600 flags with a machine. there was two of us me and my mate kerbing in front. once we laid the kerbs out my mate was taken away to do another job. so the kerb lifter which was on hire didnt get used and guess who had to lay on his own. the other lads stayed together. i just had to keep an eye out for the safety officer and stop till he went. so regarding safe lifting i spose it depends on where you come from 
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:20 pm
by mouldmaker
T-Star wrote:But what is the exact power of this authority? For instance, if you don’t subject to certain regulations, is it possible that you get a fine?
The HSE's power is, by and large, absolute. If they inspect and consider that the hazard constitutes an unacceptable risk, they can stop work going on until remedial action is taken.
Initially this is likely to be in the form of a prohibition order. Ignoring the order can lead to a fine or, in extreme cases, a prison sentence.
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:53 pm
by Ted
There seem to be very few rules or building regulations which is part of the reason so many pikies partake in the trade over here.
