Need Help
Last week, received warning that this thursday coming (18th) we will have no running water for an entire day.

I am pretty certain that this means we can't be in the building, as it violates health and safety.

My problem is that our boss is telling us we all still have to work, so can anyone provide me with information as to whether or not we are supposed to be in the building?

The quicker the better!

Cheers,
Agnostic (and all of PCS)
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 12:50, 16 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Just guessing
You don't say what it is you do. Presuming it's an office, they could most likely get away with it provided that you have a watercooler to drink from and they have arrangements for toilet facilities (even if it's buckets of water to flush with & handwash products.
(Greencloud Wanted to go fishing on, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 12:55, Reply)

Sorry, good point
I work in an office, with a plastic card production plant attached. We do not have a water cooler.

As for the toilets, am not sure.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 12:57, Reply)

This might help
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg293.pdf

Says in no uncertain terms that hot and cold running water must be available.

On the second page it talks about the use of public toilets. I'd take a gander at that one as it suggests to me that in this circumstance it's ok so long as there are public toilets reasonably nearby. Also on the second page it mentions drinking water and the requirement to provide it. If you've not got any water coolers...

There's a few sources of further information listed on the last page too.

Hope that helps.
( Captain V, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 13:00, Reply)

No water?
Bring cider instead.
(oneinthepink is at your cervix m'lady, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 13:03, Reply)

@Captain V
Fantastic!

Thank you!

@oneinthepink

Am a lager drinker more, hehe
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 13:05, Reply)

A word of caution
There's a big bold note on the last page saying that it is about good practice and isn't compulsory blah blah blah.

It's not clear whether that comment is refering to the document itself or one of it's suggestions for further reading.

I suspect it's the former which makes the document itself very confusing as it's worded in such a way that it suggests you *must* do what it says.

/boggle
( Captain V, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 13:08, Reply)

I'd also suggest checking out the
building's fire prevention/suppression system. If these aren't on a seperate supply it may contravene a different bunch of H&S regulations to have staff in the building without a working fire safety system.

Or, the building (and staff therein) may not be insured.

Just a thought ........
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 16 Sep 2008, 13:55, Reply)

@WeeWitch
Unfortunately, we've only got an alarm, no suppresion system at all.

This is a rather crap building, there's never been any hot water, and we were the first tenants!

Also, one plug socket is so well fitted when you unplug anything, it comes off the wall.

The most worrying thing about that is that it's what our server cabinet is plugged into!
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:01, Reply)

Sounds more like a
shanty town than an office. Being a dyed-in-the-wool troublemaker, I'd be tempted to drop the info regarding the dodgy electricals in the direction of the H & S Executive. They used to have the power to close buildings down if certain standards were not met. I can't imagine this has changed much, but our fabby Labour govt is soooo good at protecting workers that you just never know.

Will keep the old thinking cap on in case something else comes to mind. Is it a single or multi storey building? I think multi storey buildings in commercial use are supposed to have dry risers for fire fighting??? Obviously, if the water's off, they wouldn't work.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:09, Reply)

It's a two storey building
And we've had a history of problems, we had a fire across the road a few months back, they had to bring water from a river half a mile away, as there was no proper supply in the park!
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:19, Reply)

cold and wet
I have water. It's cold and wet. I've just sent you a picture :)
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:21, Reply)

TWW
A dry riser is just an empty pipe which runs up a building. The fire brigade connect a hose to the bottom, and a hose on the floor where the fire is - it saves them running hosepipes up stairs, through fire doors, etc.

How water gets into the riser is the fire brigade's problem, and they can work around issues such as temporary disconnection of the local water supply (even assuming the disconnection affected the nearest hydrant)
( le brian, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:38, Reply)

I'd maybe check
with the local Fire Brigade re fire safety (anonomously of course)

le brian - aaaah. That's why I'm an office worker, I don't know these things!
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 16 Sep 2008, 14:39, Reply)

After...
a firm but fair bollucking from the boss, more about wasting time than anything, we've reached a fair agreement.

I keep my mouth shut and stop causing trouble, and I won't get kicked in the nuts, hehe.

Personally, I like this deal.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 15:40, Reply)

Cant Help I'm afraid
My sisters office just had their water shut off for 2 days and they still had to go to work.
(Panda_Pop, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 16:19, Reply)

has anyone noticed
that you can't reply to a reply again?

EDIT: Actually, you can on the QOTW just not on here. how very odd.
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Tue 16 Sep 2008, 16:44, Reply)