In recent years we’ve rightly become more and more aware of the dangers posed by even everyday objects and the serious injuries that can occur when things go wrong.
However, this can also lead to organisations using Health and Safety as an excuse to make some extremely silly rules. Here’s ten of the daftest cases considered by the Health and Safety Executive’s “Myth Buster” panel of experts in the last year.
1. Nativity Nonsense
Excuse: A primary school said parents couldn’t bring young babies to sit on their laps at a nativity play for “Health and Safety” reasons.
The panel said: It’s far more likely the school made this ruling to prevent them disturbing the performance and performers. If they were clear about the reasons for their rule, it might help them find some room at the inn for their younger visitors, too.
2. Heavyweight Howler
Excuse: A job advert stated that due to new Health and Safety rules, all bus drivers must weigh less than 18 stone.
The panel said: No health and safety legislation places weight limits on people driving buses. If such a “rule” exists it is a company policy and they should clearly explain their reasons.
3. Water Joke
Excuse: Shop staff couldn’t give a glass of water to a customer who fainted, because of “Health and Safety rules”.
The panel said: This was a bizarre and ridiculous response.
There is no such rule.
4. Party Poopers
Excuse: A pub wouldn’t allow a customer to open a champagne bottle himself “because of Health and Safety”.
The panel said: This is a corker! Health and safety at work regulations do not prevent people opening bottles of champagne. The pub chain is more likely to be concerned about the potential for spraying the decor.
5. Self And Safety
Excuse: A nightclub became the first in Britain to ban selfie sticks over Health and Safety fears after seeing a surge in people bringing them along on nights out.
The panel said: It’s entirely reasonable to ban the use of selfie sticks because of the potential to be a nuisance in crowded venues. It is unfortunate this venue felt the need to quote “Health and Safety” when there are no specific rules which apply in such a case.
6. A Load Of Balloony
Excuse: Children weren’t allowed to take home air-filled balloons after a library book event due to unspecified Health and Safety reasons. Instead they had to burst them and throw them away.
The panel said: What a lot of hot air! There are no Health and Safety regulations which stand in the way of children having fun with balloons.
7. Playground Piffle
Excuse: Primary school staff asked not to take any drinks, including cold ones, onto the playground during breaks.
The panel said: This is one of the most extreme cases the panel has dealt with. Health and Safety law doesn’t ban teachers from having a cuppa and even less a refreshing cold drink on playground duty, and to suggest it does is just preposterous. If the head wants to impose ridiculous rules on staff, he or he should not use health and safety as a convenient cover.
8. Donkey Wrong
Excuse: A newspaper reported that council bureaucrats banned donkey rides for children at a village fete because of Health and Safety concerns.
The panel said: The organisers cancelled the rides because the operator did not hold the licence required under animal welfare legislation. This was misrepresented as a Health and Safety issue in the newspaper report. HSE is keen for this and future generations to continue to enjoy the traditions of the summer fete.
9. Plastic Peril
Excuse: A high street store would provide plastic forks but not knives for customers buying take out food, “due to Health and Safety”.
Panel decision: Knives and forks carry a small risk in the same way any sharp object does. However, it’s absurd to suggest we shouldn’t use them.
10. A Cracking Excuse
Excuse: A local pub couldn’t replace fried egg with scrambled in a cooked breakfast as they can’t use a microwave due to Health and Safety.
The panel said: This is a cracking excuse! The company concerned acknowledges it doesn’t serve scrambled eggs because it has a centrally-determined menu. Instead of explaining this, “Health and Safety” has been given as the excuse, leaving the company with egg on its face.
“elf and safety” line to hide behind decisions that have really been
made for their own convenience, said Macks Solicitors director and personal injury claims specialist Anthony McCarthy.
“Using this as an excuse for all kinds of frankly silly rules and regulations trivialises genuine risks in the workplace and elsewhere.
Unfortunately, far too many people are injured because sensible precautions are not taken.”
“If you are injured in an accident, Macks Solicitors have the experience and expertise to win you the compensation you deserve.
