How safe is your town centre?

I recently visited the Antonine Shopping Centre and was taken aback when I witnessed a workman standing on the glass roof. Not only was he in danger but so were the members of the public who were walking underneath him. He had no fall protection, no harness or walk boards and there was no netting in case the glass gave way.

I contacted the management and was told that it was perfectly safe as according to Mr Morrison, Operations Manager, the Risk Assessment stated the glass was weight bearing as long as the workman stood on the purlins (metal edges). Which is not what he was doing.  Anyway,  not having seen the contractor’s risk assessment I cannot comment but I can say with authority that as a Chartered Safety Practitioner I have seen and written countless risk assessments and I have never seen a risk assessment that allows workmen to stand or walk on the glass roof panels, of any roof. Perhaps training would be appropriate. So if you are visiting the Antonine Centre here are a couple of safety tips:

• Watch your feet as the non-slip floor tiles are not.
• Watch your head in case you get dripped on by the numerous leaks, and
• Watch out for falling workmen – Just in case.

Or as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus of Hill Street Blues used to say – “Be Careful Out there”

Westfield – Pride of Cumbernauld or Ghetto in the making?

You know – I have lived in Westfield for over 30 years and I love it here.  The people are excellent and the area is beautiful.  Well it was until North Lanarkshire Council began treating us as a low priority area.  Over the past few years I have become more and more appalled at the lack of quality in the services provided by NLC causing some parts of our estate to look what can only be described as ‘ghetto like’.  I know that every area in North Lanarkshire has youth problems but NLC have made a commitment to the removal of Graffiti within a couple of days of it being reported.  That is except Westfield.  The graffiti in the picture has been here for over two weeks. 

Not because it wasn’t reported but because NLC couldn’t find it.  Seemingly the pathway where the Graffiti is doesn’t have a name so NLC workmen can’t find it.  It made no difference when they were told that it was behind Tomtain Brae or that it was beside the school.  This is the problem of a centralised service – they have zero local knowledge. 

So come on NLC get a grip and help us look after our community.  That is what you are being paid to do.

Comments welcome