Health and safety excuses are at a record high.

[Michael Browne]

From dangerous daffodils being banned on a village green, to pork crackling not on the menu at a restaurant because it might splash the chef – complaints from the public being fobbed off with ‘elf and safety excuses are at a record high.

 

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the HSE panel has confirmed that health and safety regulations do not ban the activity and that ‘health and safety’ is being used as a smokescreen, usually to hide poor customer service.

 

Here's some of the more stupid excuses:

 

• pork crackling not on the menu at a restaurant because it might splash the chef
  
• prams banned from a children’s centre for health and safety reasons
  
• dangerous daffodils removed from a village green
  
• custard pie fight at a local event cancelled because of health and safety
  
• chippy not allowing customers to put salt and vinegar on their fish and chips
  
• ban on playing with conkers and yoyos, using skipping ropes, and climbing trees
  
• selfie sticks banned in a nightclub
  
• sheep and cow droppings in a field stopping a scout group camping
  
• school production cancelled because lighting operator had not attended ladder training course
  
• loose flowers and pots not allowed on graves
  
• office ban on paperclips
  

 

 

The Myth Busters Challenge Panel, to date, have considered over 350 cases and their responses published on the HSE website.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/myth-busting/index.htm

[citizenB]

I couldn't find the one about the ban of paperclips.

[Conniff]

Funny then how there is no mention of men driving around a track at 200mph, surely more dangerous than conkers.

[king12345]

It's an every day battle with the elf and safety officials.

They make it up as they go!

Another one that infuriates me is the data protection craziness.

I have been denied access to my own pension records at work because of data protection.

I explained that I want access to my own records but they insist that because there's my wife name on the beneficiary form, they cannot disclose any information; but i gave them my wife's name!?!?

 

Pure madness.

Got to stop writing now for elf and safety reasons, I am only allowed a certain number of words a day

[chiefengineer]

A lot of it is most likely down to organisations (or their insurers) not wanting to have a sue-ball thrown at them if some poor chef gets burnt by the crackling, or someone looses control of their car because they were blinded by the over-yellow daffodils!!

[Ethel Street]

I have been denied access to my own pension records at work because of data protection.

I explained that I want access to my own records but they insist that because there's my wife name on the beneficiary form, they cannot disclose any information; but i gave them my wife's name!?!?

 

Surely they could simply redact the name of the beneficiary! It's not a reason to refuse access to everything....

[labrat]

disappointingly we had a health and safety meeting at work, and i was named as one of the risks

 

and i really wish that was a joke

[p3t3r]

Some weeks ago I walked into a corner shop and tumbled over a small yellow health and safety sign saying: 'Caution! Wet Floor'

[Conniff]

Some weeks ago I walked into a corner shop and tumbled over a small yellow health and safety sign saying: 'Caution! Wet Floor'

 

Was it Specsavers

[p3t3r]

lol it was a small sign, probably about 30cm height, not like the usual larger signs.

i could see the wet floor, but not the stupid sign!

[Conniff]

Very rarely will you see a cleaners sign saying 'slipper when wet' as a company lost a compensation claim using that sign. The judge said that by using those words they had admitted the floor was slippery and should have roped off the area.

[chiefengineer]

Very rarely will you see a cleaners sign saying 'slipper when wet' as a company lost a compensation claim using that sign. The judge said that by using those words they had admitted the floor was slippery and should have roped off the area.

 

Not to mention getting a sue-ball from Bon Jovi for using one of their album titles without permission!!

[Conniff]

I'd say the signs came before Bon thingy.

[stifle]

A lot of it is most likely down to organisations (or their insurers) not wanting to have a sue-ball thrown at them if some poor chef gets burnt by the crackling, or someone looses control of their car because they were blinded by the over-yellow daffodils!!

 

Then they should say it is due to high risk/insurance, not health & safety.

[Conniff]

'Exactly'.

[Old Cogger]

Hoe about the one I came across at home - we are not allowed to take a mattress up stairs for you as Health & Safety issue, I was on walking sticks after major operation, daft bastxxx I use to have to do it years ago as I was sent out if any awkward deliveries for a major company to complete Removal mens job.