When things backfire..?

[SW19cam]

Today I received an email from the building manager to tell me (and some others) that we had to immediately move our cycling gear from the tops of the cycling facility lockers due to it being a fire risk (Or at least a previous email leads me to believe it is for this reason)

I'm not convinced that our damp clothes are either a fire risk or an inconvenience, but I will of course comply.

The only problem for them now is they have reminded me that I have been emailing them for months to ask for some improvements to the facilities. And now, a simple 'reply all' (attaching my request emails) and 'I think you will find everyone else C.Ced will agree with me...' may give me the force to push through some changes.

I wonder if they regret sending that email....

Cycle revolution guys. Push for better commuting facilities.. Your stories of trying to get improvements welcome below

 

[Maz]

Your stinky wet kit is what's known in the trade as offensive non-verbal communication.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Fire risk?! - total blx.
Unless they are close to a light which may cause them to dry out and combust then it's just an excuse to get the area tidied. Just a housekeeping issue.

Is it worth a respond to all, using his first name only, asking him if there's anything he could think of to help you store/dry your cycling gear as its really awkward attempting to dry it elsewhere (assuming its wet gear) and that it would really help you, and possibly other cyclists?
Immediately follow this with an abject apology that you hit "reply to all" in error.

Hopefully itll shame him into doing something to help.

 

[Drago]

What source of ignition is in close proximity to the gear?

What about all the highly flammable paper and plastics in the offices?

 

[Matthew_T]

I go to college, there is no chance for me on my own to get better cycling facilities.

TBF to the college, they have provided two main cycle racks at the front of the college, and there are plenty of metal railings around the site which I could use (closer to my building which is at the back of the campus).
As long as I am able to use the lockers in the Sports hall, then I am happy. I also have the choice of the changing rooms at the Sports Hall or the disabled toilet in my building (will go with the toilet me thinks).

 

[classic33]

I go to college, there is no chance for me on my own to get better cycling facilities.

TBF to the college, they have provided two main cycle racks at the front of the college, and there are plenty of metal railings around the site which I could use (closer to my building which is at the back of the campus).
As long as I am able to use the lockers in the Sports hall, then I am happy. I also have the choice of the changing rooms at the Sports Hall or the disabled toilet in my building (will go with the toilet me thinks).

Will the toilet wan to go with you though?

 

[mr_cellophane]

Hang it in his office. All that damp/sweaty kit will soon get him to change his mind.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I wonder if

What source of ignition is in close proximity to the gear?

What about all the highly flammable paper and plastics in the offices?

possible ignition is the problem? Could it be that loose items on top of lockers might, if dislodged in the chaos of a fire, present an obstacle to people trying to get out or even cause fir doors not to close? If so it could be used as more ammunition for his attempts to get better facilities.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Ha! They did exactly the same thing at our station once - though it was our bags in general they moaned about as a health and safety hazard and fire risk rather than cycle clothing specifically. They sent out about three warnings for everyone to move stuff, then one day moved it all into a side room. Everything then got moved back. Big joke really.

 

[Drago]

They did it to us as well a while ago - no bags on top of the lockers, as they could fall and hurt someone. Nasty stuff.

Until one crusty old boy presented an FOI request to the local H&S asking how many dangerous incidents involving lockers had been reported in our region. The answer was 'none' since records began in the mid 70's. When the H&S lady was presented with this information she blustered a bit but nothing changed.

It's H&S bull, perpetuated by busybodies with nothing better to do. There has to be an identifiable mechanism by which they may ignite or fall off. Just saying they "might" doesn't cut it. No more likely to fall off or catch fire than the contents of my desk.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Cycle revolution guys. Push for better commuting facilities.. Your stories of trying to get improvements welcome below

I evolved a cunning plan, but quite specific to my circumstances....

Be bloody good at job. Absorb facilities in remit. Subsume premises managers roll into mine. Draw up and own the organisational environmental policy (which, naturally, explicitly promotes cycling to work). Do what I like within reason cycling facility wise

If you can't do that....

when someone invokes the great gods Health and Safety ask to see the risk assessment. It either won't exist or will be a pile of cr@p. Soon they stop their invocations.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

It's all H+S but they still let them drive cars.

 

[defy-one]

Ha! They did exactly the same thing at our station once - though it was our bags in general they moaned about as a health and safety hazard and fire risk rather than cycle clothing specifically. They sent out about three warnings for everyone to move stuff, then one day moved it all into a side room. Everything then got moved back. Big joke really.

I have been to a few police stations to look at networks for the "chris helpdesk", there is personal items everywhere! Proper blocking of exits lo

 

[Hawk]

Our senior instructor at a sailing school put up a sign informing us that we had to keep our kit on/under a particular table in the upstairs room, it further read that "any non-compliance will result in defenestration of you kit"... we did have a few cases of wetshoes and jackets flying out the window while we watched helplessly from on the water

 

[Red Light]

when someone invokes the great gods Health and Safety ask to see the risk assessment. It either won't exist or will be a pile of cr@p. Soon they stop their invocations.

+1