My eventful first week

[Monkey]

My first week in a nutshell, first few days have been great, everyone has been so welcoming and I've slotted right in, feels a bit like I've worked there for years and I'm loving it.
Last site manager was apparently very secretive and so I'm struggling finding all the things I need to get on top of.
Think he took a lot of the paperwork with him as it's nowhere in my office or the strong room.
Found the legionella stuff which he literally tested once in about 2 years of being there, done all my tests and had to condemn two sinks as the cold drinking water is coming out at 25°c since he turned off the hot taps.. god knows what he's done there, apparently he was a plumber before. So anyway I need to get someone out to look at that.
Got the --- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) --- tree up on the 1st Dec and was going to put the rest of the fairy lights up Friday evening but then the toilets flooded so got the drain guys out to find that when the toilets were fitted 18 months ago they've laid the pipes flat so they've fully crystallised inside and when they've tried to flush it out, instead of it flushing into the drain and sewer it's exploded through the last toilet so spent Friday evening mopping off the ceiling and walls
Talk about easing me in gently
So Monday we need to arrange for toilets and drains to be ripped out and fitted again plus need to get the compliance guys out over the taps running warm.
Any advice would be appreciated as I haven't got a clue regarding the legionella stuff.

[Drone]

An exciting & expensive baptism of fire

[Monkey]

An exciting & expensive baptism of fire

Yes, the head laughed when I passed on the quote for them to fix the problem..

[greenjack]

If you are expected to be undertaking the legionella testing you should have the training. It’s no big deal and the school should organise/ pay for it asap.

[EBJ]

Yep caretaking is a glamours life, wait until you have to put a black sack over your hand and arm and go down the WC pan after a blockage, bit like a vet up a cow's rear end, not even nice when you have to throw a bucket of hot water down it to try and clear it either as you really have to move fast [--- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) ---_shocked]

[Monkey]

If you are expected to be undertaking the legionella testing you should have the training. It’s no big deal and the school should organise/ pay for it asap.

I didn't realise that, I will ask the head on Monday to put me forward for it. It would make sense as I'm currently trying to learn from the folder I was left and a small file of health and safety stuff I've not even managed to look through yet.

[Monkey]

Yep caretaking is a glamours life, wait until you have to put a black sack over your hand and arm and go down the WC pan after a blockage, bit like a vet up a cow's rear end, not even nice when you have to throw a bucket of hot water down it to try and clear it either as you really have to move fast [--- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) ---_shocked]

Can't wait

[Keyolder]

Sounds like you are fitting in, well done It will be an up-hill battle at first but that is the nature of the job, once you get into a routine things will all fall into place. As mentioned above you need training for the legionella compliance testing, it can also be a bit daunting at first but once you are up to speed with it, you’ll be ok.
Good luck [--- (The seasonal word only permitted in December) ---_santaclaus]

[magpie]

Seems to me that you are handling yourself extremely well. Training is vital for Legionella and lots of other H&S stuff. If you are an LA school, call up the H&S dept and ask for a visit, they will talk you through everything, otherwise look in the guides section of this site for all the info that you will need

[trout39843]

Welcome to the site and welcome to our world.
The only other advice I can give besides the other words of wisdom is to keep records of your things.
viewtopic.php?t=39036
Also, as this is the season be careful.
viewtopic.php?t=39039
There is a load of help, advice and just plain crazyness here so again, Welcome to the best site on the info net.