Yeah - ive already searched those links.

He is most upset as he went through the small biz startup programme, declared what he wanted to do but they never said that there were regs to follow. He is mainly into agriculture and does external blasting. He used to work for Forrestry commision so is keen to observe the rules etc as he is only too aware of the dangers - hes been caught out this time as he wasnt advised correctly (allegedly).

Hell be better paid if he went on dole and robbed cars - probably better protected by the lae as well - but that is another rant not for this thread.

Any HSE men on here?? He wants to do it ny the book.

Have just seen anonymous helpline number on the site so will pass it on.

Used to do the HSE thing so will have a bit of a dig around and see if there are any specifics.

He will certainly need a PUWER assessment (provision and use of work equipment regs) assessment, which as long as it's CE marked shouldn't be a problem.

Will also need a risk assessment of it and the tasks he is using it for.


Did the HSE say anything specific, they also are supposed to advise as well as enforce. I would speak to the HSE inspector and simply ask what he should be complying with.

There are dozens of pieces of legislation he should be complying with, I would also ask the Startup Progrqamme if they have an HSE advisor. To be honest I would be surprised if they do, which will be why they didn't say anything about complying with regs, as they simply wouldn't have known about them.

I'll do a bit of digging and see if there is anything specific regarding Shot blasting and will let ya know. But I would ask the HSE they can be quite helpful at times.

Thats great, thanks. He only got a warning this time and is expecting some info in the post. Im just trying to help him out faster as he is passed himself with worry. He has a few jobs lined up as well so is trying to find out if he can ge legal fast or let people down.

Ive done the PUWER regs before, basically easyish just a pain in the arse to do correctly. His kit is CE marked and has been tested (PAT, pressure tests etc). He also has the PPE.

Thanks for your help.

Did some digging and I don't think there is anything specific. I think he might need to do a COSHH assessment, a generic one for dust. Should also consider the noise at work regs, is his ear protection up to spec for the noise produced, consider others affected by the noise etc.

i did a search and found info relating to noise but nothing else.

I was wondering - the way the 'HSE' approached him sounded odd to me. He was called on his mobile phone (it is advertised so tis in itself was not a concern). I would have thought that they would have either written or called on him in the first instance. Does anyone else have experience of just getting a call? I found it strange that they called and said they have some polaroids of him doing the work - this again is strange as he wears the correct PPE so he wouldnt be instantly recognisable. It sounds like someone has it in for him in that he was reported, even stranger that the HSE didnt visit to challenge him and present their 'evidence'.

Ill ask him if he got the info in the post as he was promised.