‘Conkers bonkers’ is a euphemism that in recent years has entered the language to demonstrate a common and cynical view that health and safety management is generally disproportionate to the risk factors that are presented by a given set of circumstances. At the same time, the Health and Safety Executive have moved to quash such [...] Read more »
Health and Safety in the News
You’ll all have heard yesterday about the high-profile health and safety cases that hit the news, bumper cars that are not allowed to bump, Henman Hill closed due to rain (seriously when does it not rain during Wimbledon!) and other such ridicule such as children not allowed to fly kites or take part in sack races. [...] Read more »
The Myth. Ladders and stepladders are banned
The Reality: Neither ladders nor stepladders are banned. For straightforward short duration work they can be a good option, but you wouldn’t want to be wobbling about on them doing complex tasks for long periods. A large number of workers are seriously injured or killed using ladders and stepladders each year. So: Yes – the [...] Read more »
The Myth. If a pupil is hurt, the teacher is likely to be sued.
The Reality: The main legal duties lie with the employer not the teacher, or even the Head Teacher, unless they own the school and employ the staff. No teacher has been personally sued in the past 5 years for compensation. Over the years a handful of teachers have been prosecuted following very serious incidents, but [...] Read more »
The Myth. Kids must wear goggles to play conkers
The Reality: This is one of the oldest chestnuts around! A well meaning head teacher decided children should wear safety goggles to play conkers. Subsequently some schools appear to have banned conkers on “health and safety” grounds or made children wear goggles, or even padded gloves! Realistically the risk from playing conkers is incredibly low [...] Read more »
The Myth. All office equipment should be tested by a qualified electrician every year
The Reality: No. The law requires employers to assess risk and take appropriate action. HSEs advice is that, for most office equipment, visual checks for obvious signs of damage or simple tests by a competent member of staff are sufficient. Read more »
The Myth. Safety advisers New Year resolution is to make the life of business people miserable
The Reality: Not according to businesses. Over 90% of employers and chief executives / senior directors have rated advisers as helpful. And 90% of CEOs and senior directors consider that health and safety requirements benefit their company as a whole. Read more »
The Myth. Risk Assessment must always be long and complex
The Reality: On its own, paperwork never saved anyone . It is a means to an end, not an end in itself – action is what protects people. So risk assessments should be fit for purpose and acted upon.Some high risk businesses require a fair amount of paperwork but for most people bullet points work [...] Read more »
The Myth. Hanging baskets were banned
The Reality: Hanging baskets were briefly banned in a town over fears that they would make some old lamp posts unstable. This was an overly cautious reaction to a low risk. However, as soon as the lamp posts had been checked, the hanging baskets were quickly replaced and have been on lamp posts throughout the [...] Read more »
The Myth. Egg boxes are banned in craft lessons as they might cause salmonella
The Reality: The story started after a school briefly banned children from using cardboard egg boxes to make things. They were concerned that children might catch salmonella. Within a few years the school realised there was guidance from the county council and an organisation for teachers called CLEAPPS, making clear that as long as egg [...] Read more »
