BobSmytherman 18 AlanWalker Letters


19 20


AlanWalker A plea for a more level-headed approach to health & safety AbriefglAncethroughthe


newspapers, a quick search online or achatwithfriends is almost certain to turn up tales of woe - and probably exasperatedwonderment -about health andsafety. Indeed, 2.2 million results in 0.19 seconds by Googling ‘healthand safety gone mad’ suggests that the problemis widespread and inescapable. But let’s look more closely.


The story about schools banning pupils fromplayingconkers unless wearing protective goggles goes back almost adecade andisatthe top of theHSE’s ‘Top 10Worst Health &SafetyMyths’ (www.hse.gov.uk/ myth)where it is described as ‘one of the oldest chestnuts around’. It makesagood storyonwhich to base a thunderous editorial about theillsofmodernlife-but thereis no genuinehealthand safety policy behind it.


The story about doormats (see Flat Living issue 14)ishot news in LeedsthisSummer-and has also run in Leicester, Knutsford, Oxford, Stoke, Gos


n in Leicest , Knutsford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Stoke, Gosport and and Bristoll ((among other places) as early as 2006.Articlesfrom sevenyears ago talk of the policy having been in place ‘for at least 20 years’ even then. Butwhatpolicy?Whydoesthe story keep coming back and run across thecountry?Itisextraordinarythat thesamehealthand safety-based demand –thatdoormatsberemoved or they will be confiscated –and thesameratherweary ‘herethey go again’responsefrom flatowners should be repeated so widely, and so often.


among other places) as early More than anything, the problem In reality there is a serious point


behind inspectionsofcommunal hallways, and orders to keep such areasfreefrom of clutter–whether doormats andpicturesorhanging baskets and bicycles. It is a fire safety andevacuationpoint,and a serious one – but cloaking it undergood oldhealthand safety means that the serious point is lost in the familiar, ‘he said, she said’squabblingofdefianttenants andobdurateofficialdom,fuelled by reporters happy to give an old favourite another run out for the entertainment of their readers.


Flat Living Issue 15


Amoreopen andhonest approachcan leavespace foracommon sense application of health andsafety guidance


is one of understanding. Rules and regulations comeinmany different forms, fromdifferent bodies and sometimes with overlapping or conflictinginstructionssothe temptation to writethemall off as ‘Elf n Safety’ is great. So getting through to the core remit – managing real risksinasensible and proportionate way – is a big task. Since2007the Health andSafety


Executive has been working to address this problemof perception. They rana‘Myth of theMonth’ feature from2007 to 2010 – and sinceApril 2012 theirMythBuster Challenge Panel has examined over 180cases referred to themby often incredulousmembers of the public. Andit’snot justaUKproblem.The


EUagency forHealthand Safety at Work (EU-OSHA)intends to launch aPan European communication campaign in 2014 aboutworkplace safety.Idon’t knowwhat theGerman of Spanishequivalentof‘goggles for conkers’ is,but clearlythe cloakof Health and Safety is spread very wide.


Howtofixthe situation?Two


requests: nTo the Health and Safety


authorities–pleasecommunicate better.Clear detail onwhat is needed, andwhy,willeventuallyrinse away oldstories andoutdatedand incorrect


perceptions. nAndtoanyonehidingpoor customer service, inadequate provision of staff or sheer laziness behind the all-too-convenient excuse of Health&Safety – please stop. Amore open and honest


approach canleave space fora common sense application of health and safety guidance, and a more respected implementation of the legislation. As forthe church clockstanding


silent – the inspector’s suggestion to repair or replacethe ‘decadesold’ joineryand stepladderwhich the73 year oldvolunteermustclimbeach daytowindthe clock,maynot be such a bad one after all.●


AlanWalker is anRMCdirector


19 Aplea foramore level-headedapproachtohealth&safety


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