Every single bloody time, just about to go to sleep, something must come up in absolute need of clarification... Simple sole trader insurance would be £50 I end up paying £400 odd to cover every single possible scenario. Anyone, would try to get an honest quote from fresh, for a proper insurance policy would end up having meltdown on factors as how it is. For better or worse, bravado in being negligent will end up biting on the **** eventually, so being sensible about precautions is sensible...
No they are not. In my workshop I can do whatever I like. Out of my workshop it is a different matter. In the workshop I can take every guard off, I can rebate on an open surface planer, anything. HSE view is that if you are self employed and your work doesn't put the public at risk or other workers you aren't covered by Health and Safety. Same with Fire Regs and fire escapes etc. Sole Traders can do whatever they like in private premises.
We are talking about workshops here, not out fitting. Private premise, no employees. Not covered by any regs. Not even PAT testing.
I know your neck of the woods a little. Name wasn't Wally was it? Big Rangers fan from Ayr originally? Sounds like him!
First workshop I worked at in St Albans got took over by two chaps from Hertford way. Vic and Wally. He sounded like just the kind of chap who would do that! I think they eventually closed that workshop down and re-opened in Baldock. I left after a while and went to a kitchen manufacturers between Harpenden and Luton and eventually ended up at a firm up in Leagrave.
Luton, awful, I get depressed just driving through it. I'm in St Albans for the next two days then Welwyn, Cambridge and Ware.
Its an awful place. Met a mate off a plane at the airport once. Got stuck into a few at a bar at one of the hotels there. He suggested we get a cab to the "old town" to find a traditional pub. I couldn't stop laughing for ages.
I have kept up chip. What if a visitor to his workshop was injured? ( or perhaps he doesn’t have any visitors) Heck, what if GB happened to have a serious accident, alone in his workshop ? If he did and was saved, by some miracle, I’m sure the HSE would investigate.
So? Are you meant to rigidly adhere to the exact OPs question? Conversations evolve. I said Health and Safety don't involve themselves in sole trader workshops. JJ thinks they do.