school caretaker worries

[buzzlightyear]

I'm not a builder or anything like that. it's just we had a qualified electrician for years doing things by the book did not even think much about it untill now . iv had such a stressful tim my wife said iv been foolish and should just do my job ...

I would agree with your wifey ,if you hear a bang from a distance keep a broom handle handy just in case he needs your attention ,lol.

 

[Devonchris]

Ok. Thanks for the response.

In "just doing my job" you have a responsibility under H&S law for any "Act" or "Omission" so if you are aware of a potential danger you can't just ignore it. Also you can't be victimised for bringing it to a supervisors attention.

However, as with all employer disputes, the law cannot dictate the sort of atmosphere you will then have to work under and this can make the work environment difficult and stressful. So think carefully about how you deal with this.

Perhaps you could invite the new guy for a drink after work, on the excuse of getting to know each other better. Then when you're both relaxed mention your concerns in terms of how maybe he doesn't realise how inquisitive the little brats can be, and how maybe some of his tempory works could be a danger. Don't get him on the back foot and don't mention qualifications.

In all of this diplomacy is the key. Don't be the one who gets offside. And keep a contemporaneous diary of your actions/ discussions with anyone about this. Then be happy that you have done your job. Then start every day remembering how you felt on your first day in the job and just get on being the best handyman in the world.

Good luck.

 

[Midwest]

no i have been here years and I'm very happy as a caretaker .

I'm not a builder or anything like that. it's just we had a qualified electrician for years doing things by the book did not even think much about it untill now . iv had such a stressful tim my wife said iv been foolish and should just do my job ...

I'm getting on now and I suppose finding a new job will be hard .
but I don't want to see people getting hurt ..

Where do all these suggestions coming from, that you are likely to lose your job over this?

I can understand the real world realisation that some might think you are trying to get someone into trouble, but as already said the law here is clear and behind you. Even your own school have said you should of bought to someone's attention sooner.

I can understand your wifes concerns, but you have done the right thing, this bloke sounds dangerous. So who is suggesting you might lose your job?

 

[jannadog]

I did try speaking to him a few months ago about the new classroom not having emergency lights or exit lighting . (I used to test this every month but I was told not to do it anymore) and that's when I was told to do my job .... ( emergency lighting inspection is now not done ). I have made notes on this sort of thing but they said why did I not follow it up . but what do I do Line manager said it's ok they have it in hand ... I open the school and last to leave every day so I don't know how the test can be done there are 270 emergency lights in the school . this is why I asked the question . iv tested the lights for 10 years and every year a full 3 hour test is performed by 3 electrician doing 3 hour test . it takes 3 days ...

I just do the bins and toilets now and lock the school . .

I know I'm right in what iv done and now have to live with that .
[automerge]1577985646[/automerge]
I'm scared I'll loose my job becas 3 people on the team I'm in have gone most of them with 5 to 10 years

we are in a multi academy trust now and everything is cut to the bobe. I wish I could say more but the HSE will be my last call if they have a go at me ...

 

[Midwest]

I work in a care home, similar place with vulnerable people, as a maintenance person. I would say about 60% of my time is spent on compliance. It’s all recorded on a compliance management software. Any non compliance, gets emailed to someone.

I can’t see a County Council being any less complaint.

I believe there’s a charity concern, that assist with guidance on ‘whistle blowing’.

Just Googled it Protect - Speak up stop harm. | The Whistleblowing Charity - https://protect-advice.org.uk/ Perhaps give them a ring.

 

[Devonchris]

I can’t see a County Council being any less complaint.

It's not county council Westie, it's an academy trust. The more they can shave off the running costs then the more they can pay themselves.

See this article (not a paper I normally read, I might add)

Tally of £150,000 school academy bosses jumps by 20%

Six-figure salaries at 988 charitable trusts despite increase in deficits

www.theguardian.com

 

[FatAlan]

As above mate. Keep a diary of what you have seen. You’ve reported it now. I doubt you will get any come back as School Academy’s get plenty of bad press and I’m sure the fat cat directors won’t want any more....if you know what I mean! . I take it that there is nothing immediately dangerous that needs sorting before the kids come back?

 

[Midwest]

It's not county council Westie, it's an academy trust. The more they can shave off the running costs then the more they can pay themselves.

See this article (not a paper I normally read, I might add)

Tally of £150,000 school academy bosses jumps by 20%

Six-figure salaries at 988 charitable trusts despite increase in deficits

www.theguardian.com

They’re still inspected by Ofsted, and like my not-for-profit charity organisation, compliance is still a big thing.

 

[David Prosser]

I just do the bins and toilets now and lock the school . .

I know I'm right in what iv done and now have to live with that .

Much better to know you've done the right thing than to sit around regretting you did nothing. You are not this persons employer, manager or supervisor and not an electrician this means you can't take on the responsibility for what may well be shoddy fixes and poor working practices.

Good on you for raising these concerns with the people who should be responsible for it.

 

[jannadog]

hello everyone . I have an update for you as it's been over a month....IV HEARD NOTHING...

Apparently an expert has been in and said the work is "shoddy ". but safe . today a kid cut through a cable on a machine is sparked and then started to burn . the RCD did NOT trip out . now I have emailed the chief executive who had the expert report yesterday...I have been told it dose not need a certificate of completion as the rooms not finished .... bull ----. kids are in the room the rooms are finished...

is it time to report this to the HSE

I have to be honist I'm scared to touch anything I have a AC voltage detector on me at all times...