'Ridiculous' policy means paint tin gets Hove man banned from bus (From The Argus)
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'Ridiculous' policy means paint tin gets Hove man banned from bus
11:40am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Ben James
BANNED: Ken Adams
A man was banned from getting on a bus – because he was carrying a tin of paint.
Civil servant Ken Adams, 51, got his marching orders when trying to board the 5B after picking up a tin of white emulsion at Homebase in Old Shoreham Road, Hove.
He said: “I went to scan my travel card and the driver told me that I couldn’t come on. I thought he was joking but then he told me that it was company policy and made me get off.
“I’m not a hoodie with a can of spray paint. I was hardly about to get on and paint the bus.”
With no other option, Mr Adams had to walk two miles across Hove to his Adelaide Crescent home.
Following a complaint in writing, he received a refreshing email response from a sympathetic Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company worker.
The response said: “I am very sorry and you have my heartfelt apologies. They are not fun things to carry long distances and I hope you made it home safely.
“It is policy because tins of paint are usually heavy and if the bus braked suddenly then they can open quite easily and do damage to the bus. They also have a habit of popping open in direct sunlight.
“I know this is another ridiculous sign-of-the-times health and safety policy and not all our drivers adhere to this.”
Roger French, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: “It is policy that no paint is allowed on buses – however, as always the final decision is at the discretion of the driver.”
Comments(69)
NickBrt
says...
11:51am Tue 25 Sep 12
F in L
says...
12:02pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Fight_Back
says...
12:04pm Tue 25 Sep 12
the bolt
says...
12:09pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Brian Hitchen CBE
says...
12:10pm Tue 25 Sep 12
For exhibiting a total lack of common sense and understanding, he should be fired, immediately. It isn't sufficient to hide behind silly rules. The man is supposed to be able to consider the circumstances. Or look for a job in which he doesn't have direct contact with the customers.
Flippin Burghers
says...
12:18pm Tue 25 Sep 12
kopite_rob
says...
12:22pm Tue 25 Sep 12
What if the driver had braked?
What if the gentleman had dropped the tin?
Its a fair and reasonable response not to allow toxic and dangerous liquids onto public transport.
robpotter
says...
12:28pm Tue 25 Sep 12
F in L
says...
12:31pm Tue 25 Sep 12
the bolt wrote:It is therefore surprising that White Spirit and Paint Thinners are allowed. As are Cigarette Lighters and Nylon Clothing. He should have put it in a bag, this is the main reason I ALWAYS demand a carrier bag for every item. We should all do this.
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
the bolt
says...
12:32pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
12:32pm Tue 25 Sep 12
The same pages give information on how to get there using B&H buses.
So B&H City Council you need to change the website and actually state that B&H buses do not allow waste to be carried on public transport.
This is another example of why the Greens drive me bloody mad.
Two recycling centres, both close at 4pm in the week, one is only open until lunchtime on a Saturday and we have the lowest levels of recycling in the UK yet we have a Green council meddling with transport routes and gay marriage.
Useless.
Fight_Back
says...
12:38pm Tue 25 Sep 12
F in L wrote:But the Greens want to outlaw carrier bags !
the bolt wrote:It is therefore surprising that White Spirit and Paint Thinners are allowed. As are Cigarette Lighters and Nylon Clothing. He should have put it in a bag, this is the main reason I ALWAYS demand a carrier bag for every item. We should all do this.
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
Flippin Burghers
says...
12:41pm Tue 25 Sep 12
leobrighton
says...
12:49pm Tue 25 Sep 12
NickBtn
says...
1:05pm Tue 25 Sep 12
But we should use the bus rather than cars - that's why the roads are being given to buses like the recent Lewes Road decision. Let's hope that no-one wants to visit B&Q to get any paint..... Oops!
F in L
says...
1:56pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Fight_Back wrote:Like you, I will always use a car.
F in L wrote:But the Greens want to outlaw carrier bags !
the bolt wrote:It is therefore surprising that White Spirit and Paint Thinners are allowed. As are Cigarette Lighters and Nylon Clothing. He should have put it in a bag, this is the main reason I ALWAYS demand a carrier bag for every item. We should all do this.
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
rolivan
says...
2:04pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Sussex jim
says...
2:14pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Fight_Back wrote:There must be some EU rule about displaying a hazchem notice if you are carrying paint in your car
Yet another example of how there is no joined up thinking between the Greens policy to persuade everyone to use public transport and the provider of the transport. Now, if you use the bus, you need to check that the products you're buying are allowed on ! Personally I'll continue to use my car.
Andy R
says...
2:40pm Tue 25 Sep 12
paulbton
says...
2:45pm Tue 25 Sep 12
You either have rules or you don't....
BHArulz
says...
2:45pm Tue 25 Sep 12
BHArulz
says...
2:45pm Tue 25 Sep 12
paulbton
says...
2:45pm Tue 25 Sep 12
You either have rules or you don't....
jamus77
says...
2:58pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Flippin Burghers
says...
3:50pm Tue 25 Sep 12
twosugars
says...
3:59pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Crystal Ball
says...
4:11pm Tue 25 Sep 12
TalkSenseBN23
says...
4:29pm Tue 25 Sep 12
the bolt wrote:A water based emusion has no flammable content what so ever.... hardly likely to burst into flames!
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
TalkSenseBN23
says...
4:32pm Tue 25 Sep 12
twosugars wrote:Be banning babies next in case one vomits on a passneger nearby......
So what happens then if the tin leaks or the lid comes off and paint gets on peoples clothes. They would be straight on the phone to the company demanding compensation and the driver would be strung up for not following company guidelines. Rodger should not be passing the buck with "drivers discretion" but backing the driver in this particular case.
MrHove
says...
4:49pm Tue 25 Sep 12
I had a complaint with them a few months ago about a bus driver who swore at a student because he got on the bus with a £20.
I stood up for him and the bus driver told me where to go (thats me putting it nicely) Since then I have not used the Buses again, horrible drivers, dirty buses and would rather eat my money then give it to them.
Flippin Burghers
says...
5:06pm Tue 25 Sep 12
ghost bus driver
says...
5:25pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Brian Hitchen CBE wrote:No he would not be fired.
Is this Brighton and Hove Bus Company employee still driving a bus?
For exhibiting a total lack of common sense and understanding, he should be fired, immediately. It isn't sufficient to hide behind silly rules. The man is supposed to be able to consider the circumstances. Or look for a job in which he doesn't have direct contact with the customers.
ghost bus driver
says...
5:32pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Passengers' Luggage and Parcels:
"Accompanied luggage is carried free, subject to size and provided it is suitable for the accommodation available. Luggage must be placed in an appropriate safe place, and not obstruct gangways, doors or emergency exits. Highly flammable or explosive substances (including car batteries or petrol cans) must NOT be carried under any circumstances. We do not carry unaccompanied parcels in our vehicles".
Grey Owl
says...
5:44pm Tue 25 Sep 12
pekkers
says...
8:44pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Goldenwight
says...
9:09pm Tue 25 Sep 12
MrHove wrote:Rather than eat it, could you just give it to me and I'll spend it on (hot takeaway strong smelling) food instead? Obviously, I wouldn't dream of eating it or trying to carry it on a B&H bus...
Brighton and Hove buses = A joke.
I had a complaint with them a few months ago about a bus driver who swore at a student because he got on the bus with a £20.
I stood up for him and the bus driver told me where to go (thats me putting it nicely) Since then I have not used the Buses again, horrible drivers, dirty buses and would rather eat my money then give it to them.
davyboy
says...
9:16pm Tue 25 Sep 12
ghost bus driver wrote:has been like that for at least the past 13 years, when i started there. the easiest thing to do is put it in a carrier bag. then if it does spill, it is contained. these rules are made to improved the comfort of all passengers, as i'm sure you would not be impressed if your clothes got covered in paint. also, the cost of cleaning up the mess would be horrendous, which the company could pass on to the customer!
Taken from the company handbook given to all new drivers.
Passengers' Luggage and Parcels:
"Accompanied luggage is carried free, subject to size and provided it is suitable for the accommodation available. Luggage must be placed in an appropriate safe place, and not obstruct gangways, doors or emergency exits. Highly flammable or explosive substances (including car batteries or petrol cans) must NOT be carried under any circumstances. We do not carry unaccompanied parcels in our vehicles".
bluemonday
says...
9:41pm Tue 25 Sep 12
ghost bus driver
says...
11:07pm Tue 25 Sep 12
davyboy wrote:Indeed. If I had been driving it I would have probably said keep it secure. or at least asked him if it was. Paint lids these days are pretty good.
ghost bus driver wrote:has been like that for at least the past 13 years, when i started there. the easiest thing to do is put it in a carrier bag. then if it does spill, it is contained. these rules are made to improved the comfort of all passengers, as i'm sure you would not be impressed if your clothes got covered in paint. also, the cost of cleaning up the mess would be horrendous, which the company could pass on to the customer!
Taken from the company handbook given to all new drivers.
Passengers' Luggage and Parcels:
"Accompanied luggage is carried free, subject to size and provided it is suitable for the accommodation available. Luggage must be placed in an appropriate safe place, and not obstruct gangways, doors or emergency exits. Highly flammable or explosive substances (including car batteries or petrol cans) must NOT be carried under any circumstances. We do not carry unaccompanied parcels in our vehicles".
ghost bus driver
says...
11:09pm Tue 25 Sep 12
leobrighton wrote:My best one was a poker table. I just said keep a steady hold on it. No need for nastiness, just practical advice.
Thats surprising, a driver let me on with a 6ft ladder from Portslade as long as i secured it properly otherwise I would have used the train. Simply asking the guy to secure it properly would have sufficed. If they want to encourage more bus use then letting people on with unusual cargo is essential.
greeg2
says...
11:20pm Tue 25 Sep 12
the bolt wrote:Emulsion's water based,it won't catch fire.Don't believe me,try it.
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
Dr Pork
says...
6:56am Wed 26 Sep 12
pekkers wrote:I think we have a winner
Health and safety isnt something to be brushed aside, there are rules, and the driver wasnt going to gloss over them. I know it sounds like a whitewash, but without these guidelines, it'd be like walking on eggshells. I think its probably had sufficient coverage, even if its been put on a bit thick, im sure we can roll it back, as theres no point masking the facts. All too often we water down what we want to say, when really we should be making strokes for a clear finish. I think the drivers name was Matt........
D5
says...
8:03am Wed 26 Sep 12
ghost bus driver wrote:A canoe at Elm Grove. Made me laugh because he had a wetsuit on.
leobrighton wrote:My best one was a poker table. I just said keep a steady hold on it. No need for nastiness, just practical advice.
Thats surprising, a driver let me on with a 6ft ladder from Portslade as long as i secured it properly otherwise I would have used the train. Simply asking the guy to secure it properly would have sufficed. If they want to encourage more bus use then letting people on with unusual cargo is essential.
A canoe FFS !
qm
says...
9:16am Wed 26 Sep 12
kopite_rob wrote:Toxic?
Makes perfect sense to me to stop someone boarding public transport carrying a substance covered by COSHH.
What if the driver had braked?
What if the gentleman had dropped the tin?
Its a fair and reasonable response not to allow toxic and dangerous liquids onto public transport.
Dangerous?
And what is that you have covering at least some if not all the walls in your home?
Sounds very officious and jobsworth to me, rather like a certain bus driver without an ounce of common sense or initiative!
Morpheus
says...
9:29am Wed 26 Sep 12
Bendy Bus God
says...
10:40am Wed 26 Sep 12
MrHove wrote:I can't stand people like you! It winds me right up when a passenger pipes up trying give their 2 penneth worth. I would have told you where to go too. If it doesn't concern you then kindly stay out of it.
Brighton and Hove buses = A joke.
I had a complaint with them a few months ago about a bus driver who swore at a student because he got on the bus with a £20.
I stood up for him and the bus driver told me where to go (thats me putting it nicely) Since then I have not used the Buses again, horrible drivers, dirty buses and would rather eat my money then give it to them.
Regarding the actual story, I didn't even know we weren't allowed to carry paint. I would have let him on, I like a quiet life at work, clock in & clock out without incident.
Steve Heenan
says...
10:50am Wed 26 Sep 12
Oooh err
says...
10:53am Wed 26 Sep 12
Flippin Burghers
says...
11:49am Wed 26 Sep 12
sussexram40
says...
11:57am Wed 26 Sep 12
mr punch
says...
4:56pm Wed 26 Sep 12
wendy-uk
says...
5:32pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Charlie Oscar
says...
6:06pm Wed 26 Sep 12
Luckily Im a fairly sensible guy, well been done for benefit fraud, but apart from that.... :)
Standby...
Old Ladys Gin
says...
6:41am Thu 27 Sep 12
Have you seen the state/smell/toxicity of some of the punters?
For a lot of them soap is something they watch on TV and deodorant is unheard of.
neilchi
says...
9:28am Thu 27 Sep 12
Hove Actually
says...
9:41am Thu 27 Sep 12
kopite_rob wrote:KNOB it's emulsion paint and not a toxic or dangerous substance or are you really telling us Homebase sells tins of TOXIC & DANGEROUS LIQUIDS to decorate our homes with.
Makes perfect sense to me to stop someone boarding public transport carrying a substance covered by COSHH.
What if the driver had braked?
What if the gentleman had dropped the tin?
Its a fair and reasonable response not to allow toxic and dangerous liquids onto public transport.
You work in Health & Safety or the council don't you...go on admit it silly boy
Goldenwight
says...
10:16am Thu 27 Sep 12
Hove Actually wrote:I don't think the driver really has the time to check every single item coming aboard for safety and to consider whether or not it is toxic or flammable, just has to make snap decisions based on what is seen.
kopite_rob wrote:KNOB it's emulsion paint and not a toxic or dangerous substance or are you really telling us Homebase sells tins of TOXIC & DANGEROUS LIQUIDS to decorate our homes with.
Makes perfect sense to me to stop someone boarding public transport carrying a substance covered by COSHH.
What if the driver had braked?
What if the gentleman had dropped the tin?
Its a fair and reasonable response not to allow toxic and dangerous liquids onto public transport.
You work in Health & Safety or the council don't you...go on admit it silly boy
I used to work for a ferry company and we didn't allow (very sensibly) opened gas canisters onboard. Obviously we didn't go through people's bags looking for them, but if we saw them we would refuse access.
Flippin Burghers
says...
10:21am Thu 27 Sep 12
Charlie Oscar wrote:Ready...aim...fire..
I got on the bus recently with a can of fuel (in correct container) the bus driver said I havnt seen that, and let me on.
Luckily Im a fairly sensible guy, well been done for benefit fraud, but apart from that.... :)
Standby...
.
BURIRAM
says...
2:15pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Brian Hitchen CBE wrote:Paint should never be carried on public transport, the paint supplier should deliver the paint to the premises that need decorating
Is this Brighton and Hove Bus Company employee still driving a bus?
For exhibiting a total lack of common sense and understanding, he should be fired, immediately. It isn't sufficient to hide behind silly rules. The man is supposed to be able to consider the circumstances. Or look for a job in which he doesn't have direct contact with the customers.
spa301
says...
2:35pm Thu 27 Sep 12
NickBtn wrote:are you seriously comparing spilt paint with eggs and milk.....!!
So you can't carry things that might damage the bus? How far does this extend? Food shopping - that could easily spill? Wouldn't those eggs break after some sharp braking? Or leave us crying over some spilt milk... But we should use the bus rather than cars - that's why the roads are being given to buses like the recent Lewes Road decision. Let's hope that no-one wants to visit B&Q to get any paint..... Oops!
should the paint spill and hit other passengers clothes etc, whose going to get the inevitable compensation claims...........not Mr DIY but the bus company?? Whose going to be responsible for the major clear up..........once again not Mr DIY.
Buses are required to be returned to the depot if anyone's sick on the bus which compared with paint would be a doddle to deal with.
Very sensible rule in my opinion.
Flippin Burghers
says...
2:39pm Thu 27 Sep 12
spa301 wrote:Good point. Emulsion paint and eggs/milk are similar from a chemistry point of view, so comparing them is indeed serious.
NickBtn wrote:are you seriously comparing spilt paint with eggs and milk.....!!
So you can't carry things that might damage the bus? How far does this extend? Food shopping - that could easily spill? Wouldn't those eggs break after some sharp braking? Or leave us crying over some spilt milk... But we should use the bus rather than cars - that's why the roads are being given to buses like the recent Lewes Road decision. Let's hope that no-one wants to visit B&Q to get any paint..... Oops!
should the paint spill and hit other passengers clothes etc, whose going to get the inevitable compensation claims...........not Mr DIY but the bus company?? Whose going to be responsible for the major clear up..........once again not Mr DIY.
Buses are required to be returned to the depot if anyone's sick on the bus which compared with paint would be a doddle to deal with.
Very sensible rule in my opinion.
bluemonday
says...
7:56am Fri 28 Sep 12
Joshiman
says...
9:35am Fri 28 Sep 12
nt/ceramic tiles/nails/alcohol etc.... I see the future.
biker brighton
says...
10:58am Fri 28 Sep 12
Old Ladys Gin wrote:yes i have and i refuse them travel on my bus as i can refuse some one on the grounds they disrupting others . same goes for smelly food .
Paint damage the bus?
Have you seen the state/smell/toxicity of some of the punters?
For a lot of them soap is something they watch on TV and deodorant is unheard of.
Charlie Oscar
says...
10:04pm Fri 28 Sep 12
gheese77
says...
8:35am Sat 29 Sep 12
Crystal Ball wrote:That's right i noticed that i had left a tin of varnish in a cupboard for FOURTEEN YEARS without taking it out. I quickly remedied this and we had a lovely day out in ho've park last Saturday
Ahh, what a shame. I bet the tin of paint was looking forward to the bus journey but no doubt it enjoyed the stroll around Hove by way of compensation for a missed opportunity to ride the magnificent public transport in the town.
lillylou
says...
3:38pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Ashman24
says...
10:29am Tue 2 Oct 12
the bolt wrote:You Joker...I never have a problem with a bottle of Vodka on a Friday night, surely that is more flammable?
prob did him good having to walk home, paint is like petrol could catch fire in the case of an accident,should have more sense than take it on public transport,
Sweepster says...
11:49am Tue 25 Sep 12
Or Mr Adams could have put the tin in a carrier bag.