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Not a "real" health and safety issue (work problem) [SOLVED]

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

At work today, the manager asked if I had any health and safety issues, and so I brought up an issue about the lanyard with the name badge on it, and while I'm working the long dangling lanyard gets caught and stuck on everything (I'm currently a merchandising employee in retail). The manager said that the back has a plastic part that snaps shut and detaches so that makes it "safe," because if the lanyard strap gets caught on anything it can detach, but it hurts when it detaches, because a lot of force has to be applied for the plastic back to detach, causing neck injury and pain.


The manager said that the lanyard is not a "real" health and safety issue and just walked away, and that line could have been a joke, but I have to say that hearing it hurt me, but instead of letting my emotions get the better of me, I later approached them again, trying to ask if there was an alternative type of name badge I could wear, but instead of having alternative solutions presented to me, the manager tried to convince me yet again of how the current one is fine, which were the same reasons as previously stated, and nothing got anywhere.

It makes sense to me that anything long and dangling can get caught on things while working, and you shouldn't wear anything like that because it's dangerous. To me, it's safer not to wear the lanyard at all, than it is to wear it and get caught and stuck and hooked on things all day long, and have to stop whatever I'm working on to free myself. It takes time, energy, and it's a constant issue.

I just want to see if this is actually valid health and safety concern, or if I'm just way over my head about this and that it's not actually a "real" health and safety issue. What advice could you give me?

UPDATE: I went to work and asked the manager that I would like to speak with them privately when they had the time. The manager approached me shortly afterwards, and we began chatting. I told them that I was feeling hurt that my health and safety concern was not taken seriously yesterday. The manager then apologized to me because they didn't know they had hurt me, and I appreciated their apology. Then I said that I would still like an alternative name badge, and the manager gave me the approval to use a clip name badge instead of the lanyard one. I am so relieved.

And I deeply appreciate the advice that I received, that you took the time to read my concerns and reply back to me. I thank you.

Parents

  • Have you a union health and safety rep in the workplace?  They represent all workers on health and safety matters, not just union members, and you could express your concerns to them.

    I suspect that the reasoning of the management would be that the lanyards are safe as they çomply with current safety standards ( they would be outlawed for sale or distribution if they did not).  However, this does not mean they are suitable for everyone, and your condition means you can be sensitive to pressure, and even a low weight item can cause discomfort and numbness if worn for an extended period.

    Alternative methods of displaying your ID could be sought under the Equality Act as a reasonable adjustment.  Such things as a clip on badge or transparent pocket on your workwear may be acceptable alternatives.  Put your concerns in writing (email is acceptable) together with your solution, keep a copy, and mention that it is an adjustment under the Equality Act due to your autism making it uncomfortable for you to wear the ID on a lanyard, causing irritation and numbness.  This of course assumes your manager knows of your autism.  You could also go above your manager if you get a negative response, as failing to make a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act could lead to further action. Your manager is duty bound to respond in writing to your request.

    You could also ask to see the risk assessment for the lanyard getting caught on items in the workplace.   If you are not working with machinery, the lanyard could still get caught on items that may tip over,  or dangle in hot drinks, and autism possibly makes this more likely as one of the effects of autism can be balance issues and apparent clumsiness.  Items in a retail environment may be particularly prone to this in their displays, especially items displayed on hooks.

    Hope this helps.

Reply

  • Have you a union health and safety rep in the workplace?  They represent all workers on health and safety matters, not just union members, and you could express your concerns to them.

    I suspect that the reasoning of the management would be that the lanyards are safe as they çomply with current safety standards ( they would be outlawed for sale or distribution if they did not).  However, this does not mean they are suitable for everyone, and your condition means you can be sensitive to pressure, and even a low weight item can cause discomfort and numbness if worn for an extended period.

    Alternative methods of displaying your ID could be sought under the Equality Act as a reasonable adjustment.  Such things as a clip on badge or transparent pocket on your workwear may be acceptable alternatives.  Put your concerns in writing (email is acceptable) together with your solution, keep a copy, and mention that it is an adjustment under the Equality Act due to your autism making it uncomfortable for you to wear the ID on a lanyard, causing irritation and numbness.  This of course assumes your manager knows of your autism.  You could also go above your manager if you get a negative response, as failing to make a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act could lead to further action. Your manager is duty bound to respond in writing to your request.

    You could also ask to see the risk assessment for the lanyard getting caught on items in the workplace.   If you are not working with machinery, the lanyard could still get caught on items that may tip over,  or dangle in hot drinks, and autism possibly makes this more likely as one of the effects of autism can be balance issues and apparent clumsiness.  Items in a retail environment may be particularly prone to this in their displays, especially items displayed on hooks.

    Hope this helps.

Children