Don't Let your Children Read This Story

spen666

Boy, 16, loses out on cleaning job after health and safety rules he's too young to use a Hoover
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:01 PM on 23rd October 2008
Comments (13) Add to My Stories Karl Walker was told by a cleaning company that he is not allowed to use a hoover because he is too young
A teenager has lost a cleaning job because he is too young to use a Hoover without health and safety certificate.

Karl Walker, 16, was told by a cleaning firm that he is not old enough to use washing up liquid, come into contact with hot water, apply furniture polish or empty bins.
The AS-level student was hired by Apollo Cleaning and worked in offices in Chippenham, Wiltshire, for a week until a manager ordered them to stop.

Government guidelines insist the teenager needs safety clearance to operate the equipment.

At 16, Karl is old enough to join the military, buy a lottery ticket, have sex and get married, but Apollo said he needed a certificate to use its cleaning equipment.

Karl said: 'I don't understand what is going on. How can I be too young to use a vacuum cleaner? It is so stupid. I want to earn a living.'

His mother Susan, 47, said: 'My son is legally old enough to get married or join the Army yet these people think he is too young to be able to hoover up. The entire situation is a joke.'

London-based Apollo Cleaning said: 'When an employee is only 16 we have to be very careful with the tasks we set them as their bodies are not yet fully formed.

'But I am sure once the proper checks have been completed there will be no problem in re-employing these young people.'

Daily Mail

OffTheBackAdam

Oh Spen, Spen, it's from The Daily Mail, therefor isn't true at all!

Big Red S

I do love these stories....

From whom does he need safety clearance?

spen666

Big Red S wrote:

I do love these stories....

From whom does he need safety clearance?

it is actually a legal requirement in relation to those under 18 using machinery etc

avoidingmyphd

er, washing up liquid is not machinery.
anyway, what legal requirement?
what government guidelines?

Big Red S

spen666 wrote:

Big Red S wrote:

I do love these stories....

From whom does he need safety clearance?

it is actually a legal requirement in relation to those under 18 using machinery etc

But from whom does he need the clearance?

spen666

Big Red S wrote:

spen666 wrote:

Big Red S wrote:

I do love these stories....

From whom does he need safety clearance?

it is actually a legal requirement in relation to those under 18 using machinery etc

But from whom does he need the clearance?

Try reading

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

these provide the requirements and can answer your question as well as those of previous posters

Big Red S

spen666 wrote:

Big Red S wrote:

spen666 wrote:

Big Red S wrote:

I do love these stories....

From whom does he need safety clearance?

it is actually a legal requirement in relation to those under 18 using machinery etc

But from whom does he need the clearance?

Try reading

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

these provide the requirements and can answer your question as well as those of previous posters

Is that long for "I don't know"?


http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19993242.htm#19 Seems to be the bit that pertains to young people. The term 'clearance' doesn't exist in that document, though.

spen666

Big Red S wrote:

Is that long for "I don't know"?


http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1999/19993242.htm#19 Seems to be the bit that pertains to young people. The term 'clearance' doesn't exist in that document, though.

Its shorthand for look it up yourself like I would have to do.

gtvlusso

So, he is not allowed to hoover, but is allowed to use a moped on a UK road if he has passed CBT....

Big Red S

gtvlusso wrote:

So, he is not allowed to hoover, but is allowed to use a moped on a UK road if he has passed CBT....

I don't think there's any reason from the state for him to not hoover, it's just a policy of his employer.

spen666

gtvlusso wrote:

So, he is not allowed to hoover, but is allowed to use a moped on a UK road if he has passed CBT....

He is allowed to use a hoover (Tm) if he has been risk assessed.
He is effectively risk assessed in using a moped also