Cleaners Posting Safety Warnings on All Walls

pennypincher3562

Hi

Not sure where to put this post, but I suppose it could fit under 'consumer rights.'

I live in a block of flats, which is quite well looked after, with well maintained and decorated hallways. I recently returned to the property to find that the cleaners had stuck 'safety warnings' to almost every single internal wall in the hallways. It might seem trivial, but I felt it didn't add to the appearance of the property in general, and would like to see them removed.

Supposedly these warnings are there in case someone slips on a wet floor after cleaning, and sues the cleaning company.

I phoned and said one warning label at the main entrance is enough, but they say their insurers want them on every wall!

Personally, I think the cleaners should be looking for a more flexible insurance policy?

Has anyone else seen this?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

tomtontom

Does it really matter?

It makes sense that they are not just at the main entrance as anyone going from their flat to the entrance will have to walk on the floors. My advice is to be thankful this is the worst thing you have to worry about

peachyprice

It's a sign of the times we live in now, haven't you seen the constant stream of injury claim lawyer ads on the TV. Everyone is frighted of being sued nowdays, and frankly, I don't blame them.

visidigi

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Hi

Not sure where to put this post, but I suppose it could fit under 'consumer rights.'

I live in a block of flats, which is quite well looked after, with well maintained and decorated hallways. I recently returned to the property to find that the cleaners had stuck 'safety warnings' to almost every single internal wall in the hallways. It might seem trivial, but I felt it didn't add to the appearance of the property in general, and would like to see them removed.

Supposedly these warnings are there in case someone slips on a wet floor after cleaning, and sues the cleaning company.

I phoned and said one warning label at the main entrance is enough, but they say their insurers want them on every wall!

Personally, I think the cleaners should be looking for a more flexible insurance policy?

Has anyone else seen this?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Health and Safety Rules, its not the insurer that's to blame, its the HSE. Our business locations have so many signs now its hard to make out what the company nameis.

pennypincher3562

Yeah, I've been told it's due to cleaners potentially being sued. I actually do have more important things to worry about, but still don't like seeing my property turned into something that looks like a Government building, with warnings posted on every wall.

I'm going to try and get them removed, but am not sure what's the best position to take.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

pennypincher3562

Hi Visidigi

I phoned them, and they said it was their insurers that demanded the signs be put up. I have to admit after living in flats for most of my adult life, this is the first time I've seen this.


Cheers
PennyPincher3562

visidigi

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Hi Visidigi

I phoned them, and they said it was their insurers that demanded the signs be put up. I have to admit after living in flats for most of my adult life, this is the first time I've sign this.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Yes the insurers have probably said they wont insure them unless the signs are there - but its the HSE that says appropriate signage needs to be present in building which have communal spaces.

Such buildings require fire warnings and safety signage.Sign of the times as others have indicated, despite how you may feel about them.

pennypincher3562

Hi Visidigi

I imagine you are correct on the origins of the signs. Though interestingly, I don't think there are any fire warnings in this building, I'll have a look later.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

visidigi

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Hi Visidigi

I imagine you are correct on the origins of the signs. Though interestingly, I don't think there are any fire warnings in this building, I'll have a look later.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Be careful what you wish for - you might come home one day and it looks like my office buildings

cookie365

visidigi wrote: »

Health and Safety Rules, its not the insurer that's to blame, its the HSE. Our business locations have so many signs now its hard to make out what the company nameis.

No, it's not the HSE, it is the insurers.

The HSE simply say that the signage needs to be reasonable. If a single sign by the main entrance is reasonable, that's all that needs to be there.

But the HSE makes a lovely scapegoat for unthinking morons.

visidigi

cookie365 wrote: »

No, it's not the HSE, it is the insurers.

The HSE simply say that the signage needs to be reasonable. If a single sign by the main entrance is reasonable, that's all that needs to be there.

But the HSE makes a lovely scapegoat for unthinking morons.

Excuse me?

Unthinking morons?

The HSE reps who've been round our building have outlined the expectations - and there are far more than more humans would consider reasonable.

The insurer has told the cleaners - but it would be the building owner that needs to approve the placement of signs. The cleaner can't just run round a building slapping signs on when they don't own it.

It might be the building's insurer - and yes, they can make it a term of the policy.

The HSE is the group who gives the guidance on signage. My posts where relating to the HSE activities that have resulted in insurance companies being able to enforce such a requirement as standardised signage is now available.