Informing the HSE of unsafe training

[lxdave]

Hi.

 

I am currently studying at a theatre college, and my 'tutor', (who actually is part of a nearby acting school) has done loads of stuff that I consider to be unsafe. These things are:

 

* Trying to jam a single phase plug into a three phase socket herself

 

* Telling people the colours don't matter (I thought it was yellow for 110V, blue for single phase and red for 3 phase?) herself

 

* Then using tiny 2 core speaker cable - like the stuff used as part of domestic hifi unit to connect speakers (as suggested in another post) to 240V @ 15A. I addressed her about it as I felt it was very unsafe and she turned round and was very rude to me - and started saying 'if you know best' like I was in the wrong. Just to give you an idea in mm of the size cable it was probably less than 0.25mm when the rated cable should be 1.5mm I think.

 

* Paying no attention to us when we were on a scaffolding tower training course, basically laughing as people messed about and dangled off the tower in an unsafe way (at about 10ft off ground level)

 

* And we have lots of people who just muck about all the time, and she just laughs and joins in, this is during rigging sessions about 20ft high.

 

Why am I moaning? Because I think that this should be addressed, but I am unsure how.

 

Do I directly inform the HSE?

 

Do I speak to the managing director, her employer?

 

Do I speak to the course leader?

 

Do I shut up and wait for either someone to go to a venue and be the laughing stock and get sacked or go to work/give out advise and watch someone get injured or killed.

 

I want to stay shut up, and get on with the qualification etc, but when I have a in-experienced tutor who clearly knows nothing what can I do? And she has no idea on the basics, then she tells me I know nothing about the basics!

 

I don't want to watch someone get injured or killed, but at the same time, I don't want to get thrown off the course.

 

I am swinging in the open and I think I may add a poll to see what people think and make a decision.

 

As I said before this is really hard for me to make a decision like this, and I want to 'stay safe', but one way or the other its got to stop.

 

Oh and she is mid twenties - she has a degree in Stage Management and Technical Theatre (which obviously went down a treat - or she didn't listen to the technical stuff) and her experience is 'working at a theme park for for a few months'.

 

So, please help me.

 

The other thing is, when I addressed her about the things she did (as listed above), she was very rude, and started saying 'if you know best', as if it was me who was in the wrong and that she is the tutor and I should be doing what she says. Well, maybe I should be doing what a tutor tells me, but if its dangerous etc, then what can I do? If she is going to be so rude all the time, then I cannot speak to her about it can I?

 

I value your opinions, thank you.

[Bryson]

Please note that I've asked Dave not to put any personally indentifiable information on the forum, as we're concerned about the libel implications for the Blue Room.

 

Thank you

 

Bryson

Blue Room Moderator

[paulears]

Two issues really - can you live with being unpopular? can you stand by and see people exposed to danger by direct or indirect means.

 

In fact, there is a legal precedent on the provider of your training. They have a 'duty of care'. If they damage you through negligence in any form you (or your bereaved family) can take action.

 

First thing is practical advice.

 

Go straight to the head of department and put your concerns in writing. If you are wrong (I'm not saying you are) the worst that can happen is a notch on the internal discipline system - you know, 1st verbal, second verbal, 1 st written - whatever they have in place).

 

If you are not wrong, then the teacher will have to justify their actions. In any larger organisation there will be people delegated to control these type of problems. From what you've said - it sounds deeply worrying. Could of course be innocent - you may have a teacher who know bu**er all about technical matters - very common.

 

You MUST mention your concerns, you don't have to be heavy - but it's vital you do. If someone gets hurt, you'd feel very bad.

 

Make a note of all the comments about what you've seen and heard You don't have to validate the danger, it's their job.

 

By the way - the colour code yellow/blue/red is voltage related. The fact that red is normally three phase is not the reason - just that 3 phase has a higher p-p voltage.

[lxdave]

Thanks Paul.

 

I think that there are many other people on the course who can justify what I am saying.

 

Could of course be innocent - you may have a teacher who know bu**er all about technical matters - very common.

Yes I appreciate that, but should a TECHNICAL tutor at least know the basics of everything. She doesn't in my opinion have to know about the dB scale, and all about different wavelengths etc if SM is her specialist thing, but just knowing the basics would not hurt?

 

I am not too bothered about being un-popular, because the majorityof the staff there don't like her either, likewise with the students. In fact during a show, she hid a cash box, made people cry because they thought it was nicked and then it returned to the place it was origionally. So popularity rating; I think shes less popular than anyone else.

 

Only thing is, how can I PROVE what she did/does? I assume her employers will take her side over a 16yr old student. In my 'proffessional opinion' a tutor should have spent 10 or so years in all aspects of the industry then teach people on their experiences etc.

 

Thanks so far.

[Bryson]

Just to add, you certainly shouldn't go to the HSE, it's much too "small-fry" for them - not something with which they deal.

 

If you are under 18, it would proably be better for you to ask your parents to approach the college, rather than doing it yourself.

 

Can you clarify some stuff for us?

 

Was she teaching the Scaffolding Tower Course, or was someone else doing so?

 

Was she really connecting Speakers to the mains? Or was she using Speaker cable to connect something else to mains? If so, what was it?

 

 

PS: I like to think I'm in my mid-twenties too! Although others may argue it's more late twenties.... Think about it, by the time you are her age, you'll have been doing this stuff for 8-10 years. Would you like people saying that you don't have enough experience? My point is, don't judge based strictly on age.

[gareth]

I'm with Paul - regardless of anyone's personal opinions of this tutor, if what you say is correct (and there's no reason for us to think it might not be) then this person is a danger to themselves and others (especially others ). It sounds as though, if they're allowed to continue on their present course, it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or worse. In the same way as they have a duty of care towards the students in their care, you also have a similar duty of care to do what you can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your fellow students. If that involves notifying someone in a senior position about your concerns regarding practices and procedures which you consider to be unsafe and potentially dangerous, then that's what you gotta do.

 

Regarding proof - maybe it's not down to you to prove what the tutor is doing - surely it's down to them to prove that they can carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner?

[paulears]

It works both ways. I had a complaint from a parent that something I was doing wasn't safe. The College H&S officer (actually the recently retired fire officer) investigated and looked at the RA I'd done. The conclusion was that the process was not only safe, but was good practice. Sadly, since I left, they've abandoned it which is a shame.

 

Remember Safety is everyones problem! I always used to say "If you every see me do something that you THINK is dangerous - stop me and ask. If you see anything that looks dangerous, ask again. You will never ever get a bollocking for checking safety - no matter how daft your question. I'd rather look foolish and be alive, than smugly dead!"

[lxdave]

Bryson:

 

Was she teaching the Scaffolding Tower Course, or was someone else doing so?

Yes, she was teaching other people how do put up scaff towers. She also told us platforms have to be put in after 16ft - I thought it was more like 6ft?

 

 

Was she really connecting Speakers to the mains? Or was she using Speaker cable to connect something else to mains? If so, what was it?

No she was using speaker cable (but like 0.25mm stuff) she was using it connect a mixture of 12V transformers for birdies and to make 15A extension leads.

[TomLyall]

No she was using speaker cable (but like 0.25mm stuff) she was using it connect a mixture of 12V transformers for birdies and to make 15A extension leads.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

While the size of the conductor is a issue, I'd be more concerned about the lack of earth, not to mention the fact that as a mains cable it should have at least two layers of insulation.

[Bryson]

Was she really connecting Speakers to the mains? Or was she using Speaker cable to connect something else to mains? If so, what was it?

No she was using speaker cable (but like 0.25mm stuff) she was using it connect a mixture of 12V transformers for birdies and to make 15A extension leads.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ah. Well, if she's connecting A 12v Birdie to the Transformer (Or even the transformer to the mains, I suppose) then that cable will be fine. But making 15a extensions from it is a bit worrying.

[lxdave]

Ah. Well, if she's connecting A 12v Birdie to the Transformer (Or even the transformer to the mains, I suppose) then that cable will be fine. But making 15a extensions from it is a bit worrying.

 

Well, it won't melt, but shove 15A in it and it will I don't like that sort of practise. I would prefer to use 3A or 5A rated cable just to be sure really. But I do get your point.

 

Earlier I wasn't talking about age = expereince, I have done about 30 productions (or so) over 2004-2005. But she is 24, and she COULD have a lot of expereince, but she clearly does not. And working as an ASM at a theme park in my opinion isn't enough expereince that I think a tutor should have.

 

Regardless of qualifications. You can be clever and get the qualies and know nothing (like her) or have no qualies and be excellent like me - not being big headed.

 

Just to add something else, which isn't really a H&S issue, but a pain in the a*se.

 

She sits in front of the desk and your like 'can I check the soft patch please', and I expect here to move. She just sits there, and you have to reach over her or on bad days, she insists on pressing the buttons. Its not really knowledge or expereince of the desk as it could be argued, because she doesn't know who/what/where/why.

 

She can't even bring up a cue, let alone do anything as 'complex' as a 'soft patch' - but she still insists on sitting in front of that desk, considering its a Fat Frog it interests me a lot.

 

So just one thing, how do I approach her employer about it?

 

Do I write a long complex letter exaplaining things she does not do safely and why, or do I say 'by the way you know your BA tutor.......'

[Bryson]

Dave,

 

You are Neil Scrivener from Riggit and I claim my £5.

 

In light of this information, I have reason to suspect that you are wrong or at the least misrepresenting the truth in this case.