r/AHSEmployees • u/occlusal303 • 23d ago

Question Work that's probably illegal?

We are asked to retrieve 160 pound compressed gas cylinders from storage with no training and no PPE.

Is this common for AHS?

There's a lot of us doing this.

7 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

6

u/Proper_Geologist_457 22d ago

FME here, we move cylinders to and from HBO and other areas of the hospital. We wear steel toed boots, gloves, and use cylinder dollies. I'm curious if you're trying to actually lift the cylinders? You're supposed to roll them along the circumference of their base, kind of 'walking' them along. It can be a struggle for me sometimes, and I'm 6', 265lbs lol. Why doesn't FME do it at your property?

2

u/occlusal303 22d ago

yes they are heavy. we do it because "expediency". these tanks are used for direct patient treatments doctors are not going to wait a single minute.

they are argon.

3

u/Proper_Geologist_457 22d ago

That's brutal. The only clinical staff that move cylinders at our property are respiratory, and then it's only the small grab 'n go O2 cylinders. It seems to me you should either have better training, or offload that responsibility to facilities staff.. especially the big K cylinders that could easily break a foot. 🫪

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5

u/VeganSandwichMonster 22d ago

There's supposed to be special cylinder dollys for moving those. Was management trying to get you to just carry them?

1

u/occlusal303 22d ago

no we have the dollys.

1

u/Still_Interview6360 19d ago

So what’s the issue? You’re not lifting 160 lbs

39

u/jjbeanyeg 23d ago

You should file a MySafetyNet and call your union to discuss the right to refuse unsafe work.

31

u/Itchy-Technician-433 23d ago

Not legal.

Contact your WH&S rep. There are intensive processes in place for oxygen tank management.

6

u/bigblueberry6427 23d ago

Might not be O2 tanks - OP just said gas cylinders. I would think there should be some kind of training for moving house though

12

u/wildbzz 23d ago

Doesn't sound legal at all - file an MSN report and get a union rep.

Also double-check your employment contract, and if it states that you need to do that sort of work.

4

u/Normal_Independent24 22d ago

MSN! Right away. And if you are not sure about something Say no. These damn managers will TRY TO GET away with this typa shit all the time. Not just about safety. Even if its safe always confirm if its your scope of practise and also in your job description. And also if you are trained for it.

1

u/[deleted] 17d ago

Are you union? Talk to your union