Health and safety 'is not a joke'
April 23, 2009
People should be sceptical about following health and safety regulations, an expert has pointed out.
Rob Strange, chief executive of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said that people often concentrate on rules which ban fun activities when thinking about health and safety.
However, he suggested that health and safety is not the real reason behind "killjoy madness" such as events banning games like conkers, but is caused by the organisers' own lack of planning or fears of being sued.
Mr Strange added: "If we continue to belittle real health and safety issues then we're in danger of neglecting serious workplace risks, failing to give them our proper concern and attention."
The expert called on businesses and their employees to stop focusing on myths which have grown up around health and safety and instead recognise its true value.
Earlier this month, research from Norwich Union Risk Services found that almost 40 per cent of UK firms are not getting the right advice on health and safety issues.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
Rob Strange, chief executive of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said that people often concentrate on rules which ban fun activities when thinking about health and safety.
However, he suggested that health and safety is not the real reason behind "killjoy madness" such as events banning games like conkers, but is caused by the organisers' own lack of planning or fears of being sued.
Mr Strange added: "If we continue to belittle real health and safety issues then we're in danger of neglecting serious workplace risks, failing to give them our proper concern and attention."
The expert called on businesses and their employees to stop focusing on myths which have grown up around health and safety and instead recognise its true value.
Earlier this month, research from Norwich Union Risk Services found that almost 40 per cent of UK firms are not getting the right advice on health and safety issues.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
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Plant fined GBP30,000 after worker loses three fingers - July 3, 2009
Safety warning to children about construction sites dangers - July 2, 2009
