working

my brother told me today he weaves fibire glass
and has no mask
that shocked me he says if he says anything about they will not like it
he works 12 hours shifts I think thats terrible its in the uk

Re: working

Pixie that's very bad practice. Does your brother have a computer, if so maybe suggest he checks out this site belonging to the Health and Safety Executive ...
http://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/faqs.htm#whistleblowing

Is he working with other people, if he is afraid to speak out himself can he get together with others and all complain together.

He could also mention this to his doctor who may be able to involve health and safety without involving him.

Re: working

thats good will tell him next week when he calls me Its so wrong

Re: working

I've only just seen this Ann. He definitely should mention this to his bosses and if they don't like it - tough. Why doesn't he buy himself a mask? I know he shouldn't have to, but they're his lungs which may be affected.

This is most definitely against Health & Safety Regulations. The Health & Safety Executive can make unannounced calls on any place of work and, if they see regulations being flounced, they can close the place down immediately. Obviously, that's not ideal as people would lose their jobs.

A lot of people pooh-pooh H&S because some of it is way over the top, but this is a serious issue. You suggest to S that he buys himself a face mask (they don't cost much) and if the bosses don't like it, then S should definitely seek assistance from the Health & Safety Executive. That should NOT be happening lass.

The Health & Safety Executive around here is at Salford Quays and I wouldn't be surprised if the company that S works for is flouting other health and safety issues, such as portable appliance testing as well.

Ann, find out from S the name of the company he works for and email it to me. I'll see what I can find out.

Re: working

3M makes a mask for use while sanding and working with fibreglass. I'd ask about an exhaust vent in the work area too.

Re: working

Good point, Annie. There should be heavy duty industrial extractor fans in the area where fibre glass is being processed.

Annie, Ann's brother is in England a few miles from where I live, and I could give him a good outlet where to buy cheap face masks.

Re: working

Ann darlin' - back in the 1960s (before Health & Safety) I too worked for a while cutting sheets of raw fibre glass. Its not good, it damaged my lungs. It can in extreme cases cause Mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining) much as Asbestosis has done. At VERY least he needs a proper face mask (those 3M ones are useless as the very small particles can penetrate those masks or remain in the air when you remove the masks).

Re: working

he says theres a few looms thats weaving it there al lin the same weaving shed and hes herd there bringing more looms to weve fibire glass
told him that not right he is always tells them to get things fixed last week
I have looked the firm up my self was going to e mial them and tell them
some bank owned them its all about proffit not about keeping there workers safe

Re: working

Ann darlin' - over this side of the 'pond' the company can be prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive, heavily fined and the Directors imprisoned for such flagrant breaches of 'Health & Safety'.

Re: working

Ann, your brother needs to contact the Health & Safety Executive because the company he works for is not following health and safety standards. They are working under illegal conditions and it should be reported to the Health & Safety Executive ASAP.

S should contact them anonymously if he has to, but this is diabolical.