When does construction ‘banter’ go too far? (CM 06/01)
Banter has always been part of people’s social development. It’s never harmed anyone. There is a major difference between banter and bullying/harassment.
Joe Bloggs
There are a large number of arrogant, self-centred people in the world who feel more important by running down those in their social or work environment. I guess the likes of Mr Bloggs! Perhaps he has never had to talk someone back from the brink because the banter has robbed their self-esteem.
Spiky
‘The future will be here before you know it’ (CM 29/10/21)
Having been a CDM professional since 1995, I would like to offer some observations arising from the article in the November/December edition [profile of Peter Baker, chief inspector of buildings, p8-9] and in particular Gateway 3 of the building safety gateway regime.
In my experience, only on very rare occasions has the production of completed project health and safety files been available at practical completion for the client, as has been required by all three versions of the CDM regulations. Late provision of ‘as built’ drawings by designers and specialist contractors is the primary cause, followed by delayed ‘O and M’ record documentation.
Firstly, whereas practical completion certificates note that health and safety file documentation has or has not been provided, there seems to be a lack of appropriate wording/clauses within contract documentation whereby retention monies can be withheld until the file is made available to the client.
Secondly, clients have been known to take occupation of their new premises ahead of practical completion. It is to the principal contractor’s advantage to be accommodating.
For the above reasons, it is my view that Gateway 3 is an unachievable strategy.
Bryan Hammond
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There is a fine line nowadays on what is intended as banter and what can be misinterpreted as other. Sadly we live in a world where we need to stop and think “ CAN WHAT I SAY OR DO BE MISINTERPRETED BY OTHERS AND CAUSE OFFENCE “ yes this is the world of egg shells we find ourselves in . Building sites were never a place of P’s & Q’s there has always been the MALE Bravado culture yes this has been diluted and brought into the 21st century but to completely lose the construction site and try to sterilise the CI can’t always be a good thing . The CI has high levels of mental health & health issues let’s try encourage people to be able to have a laugh and not laugh at people as that person who is laughed at could well end up a statistic . We never know what state of mind others are in so take the time to say HI HOW U FEELING TODAY ( it only takes a min and it might just help encourage a greater CI environment for all)
Banter in the workplace does have its usefulness in creating close comradeship in social gatherings, informal meetings, military units and during wartime close bonding activities. In the UK we have 40 regional accents with some copied by others and the butt of someone’s joke. So you can be called a useless git in at least forty different accents. How you react to workplace banter often determines your acceptability to the group. I look upon banter as your mettle testing and a subtle personality test. If you complain you fail the test. Nicknames are another form of banter, HM the King George V1 called his eldest daughter Lillibet, so nicknames and the banter accompanying them can be a form of endearment, love and respect which includes them in the group, whilst total silence suggests the opposite.
How has the industry indeed the world survived for the last few years regarding banter. Banter is what it is a joking kind of thing. No malicious intent just jokes.
As for mental health well its been invented with a lot of detriment. We all have problems but we can deal with them ourselves which has been done for umpteen years.
Try running your own business, get awarded a job and then think what have I left out.
At that point you find something and s**t how am I going to get over this. Then you might get somebody go bust on you.
That’s what I call mental stress not somebody who has fallen out with his wife and fed up