Seasonal health and safety myths
Earlier this year LookOut call News exploded some recent Health & Safety ‘myths’, the sort of crazy rules and regulations that nanny organisations introduce which seem to make no sense at all in relation to normal day to day workplace activities. Examples of these include items such as ‘firemen’s poles considered to be too dangerous’ and the not to be forgotten ‘children must wear goggles to play conkers’! This item proved so popular with readers that we now present a seasonal look at these myths just to see how much truth lies in some of these stories.
Case 1 - HSE outlaws snowball fights at schools! Although the HSE itself has never officilly banned snowball fights itself, it seems some schools actually have. In 2008 a row broke out at Bretton Woods Community School in Peterborough when several children were suspended for breaking a school ban outlawing snowball throwing. Head teacher and killjoy John Gribble defended the action saying the teenagers had broken his ban on snowball fights which he introduced for ‘health and safety reasons’ and this was "rank disobedience". Don’t suppose he features on many of his pupil’s Christmas card lists thesedays!
Case 2 – Workers banned from putting up Christmas decorations in offices! Each year the HSE hears of companies banning their workers from putting up Christmas decorations in their offices for ‘health and safety’ reasons, or requiring the work to be done by a ‘qualified’ person. However most organisations including the HSE themselves manage to put up their decorations, celebrating the spirit of Christmas without a fuss. They just sensibly provide their staff with suitable step ladders to put up decorations rather than expecting staff to balance on chairs. So that’s what we need to buy the HSE this year, some nice new ladders !
Case 3 – All Christmas trees must be CE marked ! Although not strictly correct, there is an element of truth in this in that most organisations require all electrical items allowed or brought into the workplace to carry the appropriate CE mark for electrical safety and that it is carefully inspected for any damage. So at this time of year this would unfortunately include Christmas tree lights for instance. HSE recommends that bulbs and fairy lights should be kept well away from any combustible materials and everything should be switched off when the last person leaves … Does that include the light at the end of the tunnel LookOut call wonders?
Case 4 – Mobile Phones to be banned at Office Christmas Parties! Many firms this year have had to cancel their traditional Christmas parties, not for health and safety reasons, but due to the effects of the credit crunch. However one office killjoy recently has urged businesses that are still holding office parties to ban mobile phones on the grounds that if things should get out of hand, images of the event could quickly appear on the internet. Employment lawyer Jonathan Whittaker is advising bosses this year therefore to tell his partygoers that snapping away with a digital camera is fine, but not to take revealing pictures with mobile phones or it could result “in miscreants getting both sacked and sued” …. Not sure what type of parties he goes to but only Father Christmas gets the sack at the LookOut call office party!
Case 5 - You Can’t Throw Sweets at Pantos !
Health and safety killjoys were again blamed recently when a Christmas panto cast stopped throwing out sweets to the audience on the grounds that the organisers were worried about the cost of compensation if anyone got hurt. According to the HSE however, if anyone is unsure about an event they are organising, then they should always check with their insurer that they have the right cover and also managed any risks effectively. Realistically, if a panto throws out sweets the chances of someone being seriously hurt is incredibly low. And so the verdict from the HSE in this case is 'Oh yes you can!'
Case 6 – Lone Worker complains of being spotted using the toilet ! Now we know that some lone worker GPS satellite tracking systems these days are very sophisticated but LookOut call says this is just ridiculous !
