Unnecessary Health & Safety Rules?

Question

I am writing a speech about unnecessary health and safety rules and regulations and I have got onto the subject of product warnings for example "Caution: may be hot" on a hot drink etc. Is this a legal requirement for companies to do this?

If you have heard of any other silly health and safety rules could you include them too?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Stacey

stating the obvious to those of us with a brain between the ears sounds so stupid.

but some people look for things to make them richer. so if the cup was not labelled and they picked it up and dropped it as a result they would sue someone or other.

so the health and safety should be called the common sense regulations.

Answer 2

If you're writing a speech about health & safety rules, it's probably wise to distinguish between what the HSE (and the law) requires and the power crazy employees in companies who are put in charge of health & safety at work and are too stupid to allow common sense to prevail.



The contributor who blamed the good ol' US of A for 'may be hot' on hot drinks is quite right; there's no law which states that you have to have this but in America, the culture for suing at the drop of a hat makes manufacturers and retailers extremely risk averse. The product warnings are pretty much all safeguards against 'duty of care' civil claims and you might want to read about a case called Donoghue v Stevenson to give you an idea of how it all started.



The difference between the UK and the USA is that, if you pursue a claim against someone for damages in the UK, that's generally what you'll get. In the USA, the claim will also incorporate what's known as punitive damages which are much higher than the actual damage caused and are intended to 'punish' the defendant for their negligence. Aggravated or exemplary damages can be awarded in UK courts but they are the exception rather than the rule.

Answer 3

Rules for having a street party for the royal wedding issued by H M G

1. Ensure you have permission to close the Road

2. Street Parties may only be held on minor Roads and cannot be held on Main roads or Bus routes

3. You Must inform your Neighbours of your intention to hold a Street party and make note of any objections

4.You Must inform your Local Authority Fire Service and Neighbourhood Policing Team

5.Although when closing a Road for a Street Party the risks are perceived to be low providing certain guidelines are followed organisers must obtain Public Liability Insurance for this type of event

6. Organisers must submit an application and a plan of the Street/Road that you propose to use showing where the Roads Closed and Diversion Signs will be places

7. The Organiser Must make someone responsible for collecting returning and putting out the Roads Closed signs diversion signs an barriers Remember only to remove the signs only once you have removed any obstructions from the Road

8. Always ensure there is clear access for the Emergency Services Police Fire and Ambulance place tables and chairs in such away to keep access clear do not block any fire hydrants these are painted yellow

9. Try to use Paper Plates Plastic Glasses, Bottles and cans to prevent Breakages Cuts and Washing up

10. Make sure any Electrical Equipment is connected to an RCD or circuit breaker to prevent any electrical Accidents

11. Make sure any temporary Structures such as a Canopy Gazebo is fastened down properly

12. Ensure you have basic First Aid Kit Materials Available to deal with any minor cuts and grazes

13. Keep Children away from any barbecue and hot cooking equipment put an Adult in charge of the Barbecue

14.Remember the Neighbours if the music is getting to loud turn it down

15. Remember to clear the Street of any Rubbish agree how to do this before your party Don't forget to recycle what you can

16. Think about what you are going to do if the weather is bad

17. Definition of Small Event i.e (Street Party)

The event is not publicised to the general Public and therefore will not draw people in from the wider area

The Event applies to Residents of one or Two Streets and not to a larger area therefore attendance is anticipated to less than 150 People. There is no amplified entertainment which may cause nuisance to the wider area . There is no Alcohol or food being sold

The Organisers Must obtain Public Liability Insurance

Answer 4

It is called unnecessary roughness, and it is ruining the game for the defensive players. The game might turn into two hand touch if the trend continues. You used to be able to close line someone, a RB ran into the wrong sideline and a lineman lite him up. Now a days if your helmet touches another helmet then it is a penalty. They are also treating the Qbs like babies. Why dont you just put skirts on them? The don't let the defensive lineman do anything to the quarterback. As for Stingley, it was really his fault. If you watch the play Stingley had his head down preparing for contact, the biggest mistake that you can make in football, one that often leads to paralysis, and even death. Jack Tatums hit was perfectly legal, and those are the kind of hits that football is loved for.

Answer 5

Yes - there is a case in the news of a young woman who died from a heart condition because the ambulance crew were told not to go in to where she lived because there had been an incident there several years previously. It took the police escort 100 minutes to arrive, during which time the young woman died of massive heart problems, which would easily have been prevented had the paramedics been able to just go into where she lived and give her the aid she needed.



We saw the same thing down the London Tube on 7/7 - firemen just standing on the platforms doing nothing while people including the wounded struggling to survive on their own with only the help of London Underground Staff who were overwhelmed but did their duty as best they could.



Health and Safety rules have gone too far.



In the London Blitz there were no health and safety rules and we just got on with it. People gave their best in a situation far worse than anything we have to day.



What happened to us? We are a natural warrior and heroic people. Get rid of these silly schoolgirl rules and allow the people to be what they are. It's pathetic, not just worrying. Because the future for our nation looks very sad.



When I was a child this is how we behaved in London

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLgfSDtHFt8



My drinking pal, Matthew Bryan, the senior steam fitter at Bankside Power Station - now Tate Modern, worked as an ARP Warden on the roof of St. Paul's Cathedral during the London Blitz. He and his team shoved fire bombs off the roof with brooms while all around them the bombs raged down. Had there been Health and Safety, I doubt we would have a St. Paul's Cathedral now.



Matty as we knew him, is no longer with us, but he's up there laughing at how foolish we have become.



Saint Paul's Cathedral City of London - Sir Christopher Wren's magnificent masterpiece. Saved from Nazi destruction by Londoners for all the world to enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YstlGy1Ld0



Now we look like a disorganised rabble, full of stupid fear.



I'm a Londoner, proud of our city.



BRING IT ON

Answer 6

It may be unwise to describe health and safety rules as 'unnecessary'. Health and safety legislation has saved literally hundreds of thousands of lives over the last 60 years... but there certainly have been some silly examples.



My favourite two are these...



On a packet of Tesco peanuts... "may contain nuts"



On a child's pushchair... "remove child before folding".

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Blame the trial lawyers. They have pushed American companies into these ridiculous warnings and have driven the cost of all products and ihsurance up and up.



I think your paper should focus on why we need serious tort reforms.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

HEAD FEAR



Graduating students at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge were told not to pose for pictures throwing their hats in the air in case someone was injured by the falling headgear.



The justification was that someone had been hurt by a falling hat a few years previously.



Students said university bosses might as well ban the whole ceremony in case someone crashed their car on the way there.



BANNER BANNED



Local politicians have always been fans of the trappings of public office, so the Maidstone mayor was furious when the flag bearing the town crest was removed from her limo.



Denise Joy was told by council officials that the flag breached rules as it could be a hazard to drivers and pedestrians if it fell off. They later claimed it would reduce the value of the car. But Councillor Brian Mortimer said: "The Queen has a flag and an emblem on her official car. If it's good enough for the Queen, it should be good enough for us."



HEIGHT OF NONSENSE



When 98-year-old Florrie Tranter was given the all-clear to leave hospital after suffering breathing problems, the West Midlands pensioner was keen to go home.



But she was kept in hospital while transport bosses deliberated over whether it was safe to do so because of a four-inch step at her front door.



Two safety assessments were carried out and she was only given the go-ahead to be taken home when her son-in-law contacted newspapers about the situation.



PEDAL POWER MAD



Being a police officer is a dangerous job. From violent offenders to highspeed pursuits, we all know the risks.



But you wouldn't think cycling would be one of them. But Cheshire Police had other ideas, and last year forced all officers to pass a cycling proficiency test before they could go on patrol on bikes.



Tory MP Philip Davies described the rule as ridiculous.



BLOOMING DAFT



For years, Wiltshire pensioner June Turnbell had done her bit for her local village by tending a councilowned flower bed.



The 79-year-old spent hundreds of pounds of her own money on plants and garden tools, but it still wasn't enough for council officials.



They decided that her efforts breached safety rules because of a bend in the road beside the plot.



If she was to continue, she would have to erect "Men at work" signs, wear a fluorescent jacket and even employ a look-out.



The defiant pensioner said: "This is health and safety gone mad. They can send me to jail if they like."



PANTS TO THAT



Tom Jones impersonator Simon Abbotts is used to having pairs of knickers chucked at him. When you're copying the legendary Welsh crooner, it's an occupational hazard.



But when Abbotts got his big break earlier this year on BBC1 show The One And Only, studio bosses warned him he could trip and fall on the underwear as he strutted across the stage.



An army of the 42-year-old's family and friends had arrived with their own supply of knickers to throw at Simon, but had to be content with waving them around after being ordered not to launch them by BBC killjoys.



BURNING ISSUE



Firefighters have always risked their lives running into burning buildings and climbing high ladders, but they risked being grounded thanks to the Fire Brigades Union last year.



Union officials in Humberside said that using stepladders to fit smoke alarms broke the rules over working at heights.



While some firefighters said the move was unnecessary, brigade chiefs agreed to carry out a review.



PUFF MADDY



A swimming pool is one place where strict safety rules are needed, but even there it seems possible to get your priorities wrong.



Pools in Bournemouth were told to stop lending inflatables to families who hadn't brought their own as they couldn't guarantee they'd be free of bacteria.



Parents slammed the move, which was designed to stop them contracting bugs from blowing up rubber rings and water wings.



One father said: "This is the nanny state gone mad. They would rather have children drown than have them catch someone's cold."



CHAIR-BRAINED



The offices of the Health and Safety Executive should be the ideal place to stay out of danger.



But even there, bosses have taken some puzzling precautions, including banning staff from moving chairs around in case they hurt themselves.



Anyone wanting to move furniture was told to book a porter to do it, and give them 48 hours' notice.



Labour peer Lord Berkeley raised the matter in the House of Lords after seeing notices explaining the rule during a visit to an HSE office.



He said: "It's ridiculous to mollycoddle people like that."



RADIO GA GA



YOU' D imagine Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles would be immune from silly health and safety rules, but the BBC had other ideas. When the breakfast show presenter arrived in the studio with a birthday cake for sidekick Dave Vitty, he was told candles were banned due to fire risk, and he'd have to cut the cake with a plastic knife so he didn't hurt himself.