The Safety Office would like to give Schools and Departments, the opportunity to dispose of any shopping trolleys currently being used to transport goods around the University campus.
Regardless of how they found their way onto campus, one could argue that shopping trolleys used on site are not suitable for the intended use and therefore as an employer, school and departmental managers permitting their use are failing their staff by not complying with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). PUWER requires equipment to be:
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suitable for the intended use
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safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case
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used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training
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accompanied by suitable safety measures, e.g. protective devices, markings, warnings.
With the end of the financial year rapidly approaching, I would encourage school and departmental managers to replace shopping trolleys with equipment which does meet the requirements of PUWER.
Estates and Facilities Department will be only too happy to arrange for the recycling of shopping trolleys or return to their rightful owners.
Finally, using shopping trolleys on campus to move goods and equipment does not project the right image to visitors and students of the University. A factor which anyone using a shopping trolley should consider.
Words by Andrew Vickers, Head of Health and Safety
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