To feel unsafe at work?

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

I work in a Hotel, one in a couple of acres of grounds, and drive to and from work so park in the car park. There are two car parks, one at each entrance at the Hotel, and as we have to use a specific entrance, so we park in the appropriate car park.

I returned to work two months ago after Maternity leave and shortly before I left, the outdoor lighting to the car parks stopped working. Off I went on maternity leave and, on my return, noticed it was still not working (off 9months). There was never loads of lighting in the car parks, but enough to see where you were going and the surrounding area around the car park.

The car park is bordered by woodland, and a public footpath and since I have returned to work, I feel really unsafe walking to my car at night from the Hotel (finish 11pm). I can't see the ground, for pot holes etc, I can barely see the lock in my car door to be able to put my key in, and I certainly can't see what or who is around me.

I raised the lighting issue on my return to work, and was told it would be fixed. Two months later and nothing.

Am I silly for feeling scared, or am I justified in thinking that they just don't seem to take the safety of staff and guests that seriously to let it go on this long?

The nearest car spaces are still over 100 feet from the doors, and whilst there is CCTV covering the area, it isn't going to pick anything up in such darkness.

I am feeling really cross about it all this evening. [anger]

[MinesaBottle]

That does sound frightening and now the clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in, they really should sort the lights. What do your colleagues think? Maybe you could go to management together?

[WorraLiberty]

YANBU at all, that's out of order.

[CoolaSchmoola]

YANBU - and they are failing in their duty of care to you as an employee. It's not just personal safety, it's also potentially dangerous if you cannot see.

Raise it as a Health and Safety issue, in writing. By law they cannot ignore that.

[ImperialBlether]

We're told at work that if we feel unsafe going out to the carpark, we have the right to ask security to go with us. Could you do that?

[midseasonsale]

Park in the other car park and use the other entrance. Explain that you are really happy to use the origional car park once it is lit but right now you feel unsafe. If they are unhappy with this ask them to get someone to escort you to your car at 11pm holding a torch.

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

Unfortunatley we don't have security. I could use the other entrance, however I think I would need to do the 'complain in writing' first as that entrance is a Guest Entrance and it is totally frowned upon to use it.

It should be minuted as it was brought up in the first Health and Safety meeting after I returned to work, so I will dig out the minutes and see what the action taken bit says and I think I will personally attend the next H&S meeting (even though I am not the rep for my department) to stress the importance of this.

[aldiwhore]

If it's been noted and not actioned then I think you can justify using the guest entrance, and if I were you, I would encourage every other staff member to do the same, they cannot sack all of you.

[Sirzy]

Keep pushing them to fix it.

In the mean time - carry a torch with you, will help you see and if needed can be used to hit any attacker while you run off ( not ideal I know but better than nothing)

Do others finish work at a similar time? If so try to park together/lift share and leave together.

[MrsCantSayAnything]

IS there a maintenance person? My DH is a maintenance man in a number f=of venues and he says staff often raise issues with him....and he then asks the manager about it....ask him. Or just tell him...the lack of lighting scares you and would he be able to mend it.

[PoppadomPreach]

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdf

I think your company is obliged to provide suitable lighting (see page 3)

I think your company could be sued for damages of you say fell as you were walking to your car.

That said, not sure how you can make your company fix them. Perhaps look at the health and safety government website and see if there is a helpline?

[PoppadomPreach]

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdf

[Proudnscary]

You're not being silly and I would be concerned too. Definitely talk to your company.

[alphabite]

Yanbu. This happened to me at work once. I fell down a pot hole and had my arm in a sling. I used my phone as a torch after that as they still didn't fix the light.

[nokidshere]

DH says that they have to provide lighting under their duty of care and section 2 of H&SAWA 1974 and HSWR 1992 and they are in breach of their common law duty of care. He says you should tell them that you are using the main entrance until the lighting is fixed. They cannot stop you or discipline you for doing so.

Dh is a H&S Manager. Hope this helps :)

[FeckOffCup]

Sounds scary, I would keep on at them until they do something and also get a torch so you could see the ground and probably some pepper spray too just in case.

[GoldPlatedNineDoors]

Thank you to all. I am going to write an email to our Property Dept. Manager tomorrow and cc in tge GM. I shall remind him that it was brought up in the last H&S meeting and could he advise me of when the works will be done.

I dont have any late shifts next week, so will give them time to come to me with a reply, though of course others will be in the same situation, so hopefully they will be quick off the mark.

Nokid thank your dh for giving me something to quote.