Health and Safety Gone Mad

This is a phrase you often hear and tend to associate it with an aged colonel spluttering in to his breakfast tea as he reads The Daily Telegraph.

I present to you a genuine training document from the Health & Safety department for which a completion credit was mandatory.

Stairwell Walking and Handrail Requirements

• Team members, contractors, vendors, and visitors must walk slowly ascending or descending the stairs.

• Team members, contractors, vendors, and visitors must hold the handrail when ascending or descending the stairs.

• Team members, contractors, vendors, and visitors must have at least one hand free to hold the handrail when using stairs.

• Materials may be carried in the stairwell as long as one hand remains holding the handrail and the weight of the material being carried is not excessive that it may cause an injury or fall (i.e., >15lbs or without a proper grip to hold securely).

• Holding the handrail will help maintain balance while ascending or descending stairs.

• Use an elevator if arms are full and unable to hold the handrail.

• If elevators are not available, complete a JHA/RA to safely assess how to move the material to another floor.

• Grasp the handrail to quickly regain balance after a slip or stumble up or down the stairs.

• Team members, contractors, vendors, and visitors must not run up or down the stairs or double step up or down the stairs.

• Team members, contractors, vendors, and visitors must avoid distractions while walking up and down the stairs.

• Focus on the stairs. Do not focus on conversations, pages, text messages, or other distractions that may be present.

• Use of cell phones is not permitted while walking up or down stairs.

• Do not hold conversations on the stairs, as it blocks the access of others.

• Do not pass others on the stairs.

• Be aware of slick conditions if it is raining or snowing.

• Report any injuries to site ERT or Safety Department per your procedures.

• Report any issues in stairwells with a Facilities work order.