[stevegunn]

Did a job this morning where a sewerage pipe burst in a building which employs staff.They did not want to follow the recommendations I gave them lifting cushion type altro flooring as it was lifting where it had been soaked,only wanted carpet tiles lifted around edges and you could see sewerage behind skirting which I wanted to remove to see if bricks were contaminated too

What are the implications for their staff if they just mop it up and put air fresheners in?

[psg]

Steve,
If you advised of the potential risks in theory you have completed your duty of care as far as H&S goes this leaves the company at risk of any litigation for any secondary medical issues their staff are affected by.  Though I would drop them a line and keep a copy on file should you get a visit from HSE advising your preferred action & discussion .  Did you advise them regards fecal coliform, pathogens, etc etc. We actually develop dip slides & develop these in an mini lab then take photos and attach to the file for each sewage job before & after treatment. The health risks are too high, strep, typhoid, dysentry, not to mention good old Hepatitis A. I hope you sanatised your machines well.

Cheers

Jim

[martin19842]

hi there

any contaminated items thats are not salvageable need to be skipped, and then anti microborial spryaed throughout with a drying program.

the employees would have a valid argument against their employer if they catch anything nasty.

the employer owes a duty of care to provide a safe place of work.  quite clearly that premises is not a safe environment at the present time.

we would go in their with full ppe on to ensure we didnt catrch anything then rip ot apart.  

there should be an insurance claim on it really

regards

martin

[stevegunn]

They have a £10,000 excess so did not want to go the insurance route.

[psg]

Steve,
Much as it hurts but jobs like this are always "anus protectus". If someone contracts or develops something that could easily be associated with that incident 6 months or 2 years down the line if you don't protect yourself now you could end up in a protracted argument down the line & say it did go to court unless you can prove your duty of care I have seen it called 50/50 in court in incidents like this ie restoration contractor & the company/property owner paying the damages.  Just do me a favour send them the letter recorded with your bill and that will go some way to covering your back. I was in the same situation 4 years ago when a company wanted to cut corners & keep the business running and work around the staff, we walked away from the job. 

Jim   

[martin19842]

hi there

i must admit, whenever we get called to a black water incident, then we do it our way or not at all.  it just isnt worth the grief.

regards

martin

[Gerry Styles]

If they called you then you are the specialist. If they do not accept your recommend then leave them to it. You will leave yourself open to a claim if you do no carry out the work correctly