UK H&S rules and school visits

[Genghis the Engineer]

For the purposes of the thread, I'm running a biggish research aeroplane in a mixed civil hangar "somewhere in England".

We've been approached by a local school (under 11s I think, but not quite sure) who'd love to know what we do. Great, glad to free somebody up for a few hours to do a bit of local PR, and maybe persuade a few kids to think about aviation careers.

However, they also asked about a hangar visit. At this suggestion, it would be fair to say that our H&S adviser had kittens. He has a fair point, lots of fragile shiny stuff, lots of small hands unlikely to stay in pockets, legal liability issues on air-stairs, you name it, there's probably a health and safety or legal implication.

But, I'd still love to be able to do it if we can - schoolchildren should be able to go and see something as exciting as a big aeroplane doing "real stuff" and see people at work.

Has anybody based in the UK (on the grounds that the laws are the same) been up against this and either been forced to say no, or found a sensible workaround?

G

[WOTME?]

You've defeated your own aim by including UK,Health & Safety & sensible in the same post.

[Rigga]

Ghengis,

You don't say what ages you are trying to entertain?

Don't know if it'd work - but you could try getting area's "Roped Off" to try and contain the little dears to safe areas and/or Fire Lanes/walkways.

Might seem a little crazy but it might work? all areas may have to be cleaned. You will need a suitable amount of 'escorts'.

Inside the aircraft, the floors would have to be at least "secure" and taped - if not fully fitted. (I did that in Germany once for a college/uni visit!)

????

Rigga

[NutLoose]

BMI at East Midlands have often had classes round and they get shown round jets in their Maintenance base, not seen any this year but they used to visit by the coachload.

I was also at Cosford Museum about a month ago and there were 3 or 4 coachloads doing the tour then, most of the Aircraft there are simply fenced off as such by a 2 or 3 inch high fence type thing, they were well controlled and seemed to be enjoying themselves, if a little noisey :) they must of been in the 7 or 8 year old range and even waited whilst I took photos of the Aircraft off their own backs without being told by teachers, as I did for them when they were doing the same..

One thing you will need to check is your insurance..... and make sure you are covered.

[jxk]

What kind of World do we live in when we can't even show a few kids around an aircraft because we fear prosecution. You 'll probably need a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check as well!

[Bus429]

Shame you even have to ask the question - a sign of the times. Panorama on BBC 1 last night covered the issue of H & S. Too few HSE inspectors to visit building sites more than once every ten years (average) but HSE - or consultant - unrealistic enough to insist on a hand rail around two small steps in a 15th century church (in which there was no record in living memory of anyone having been injured using them).
Don't get me wrong, like most of us in aviation, our work hinges on safety and its application and I'm all for it. I just think that some aspects of risk assessment, HAZID etc must be more realistic. To be fair, however, empirical data suggesting no previous occurrence does not imply there will never be an incident (see church above).
I've shown my sons' friends around a hangar - albeit 10 years ago - in close cooperation with the hangar manager, on a weekend and after our own risk assessment.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Yes, I know, I know - we should just be able to apply common sense. However, we can't, the world just doesn't let us any more.

Nutloose - Cosford is obviously a museum so geared up for this sort of thing, but your BMI lead sounds promising, can you steer me at anybody involved in planning that?

G

[NutLoose]

Will try to nip over tomorrow and get you a contact name to call. There are several I can think of offhand but I will want their permission first before letting you know.