HSE campaigns with council for sensible risk management

A local authority is to work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to promote a series of ten principles it claims are central to sensible risk management.

Harrogate borough council will work with the watchdog to try and dispel a number of the myths surrounding health and safety.

The partnership was launched at a new, £60,000 park in the town.

David Snowball, the Yorkshire and north-east regional director for the HSE, states the media often portrays the organisation as absurd.

Using the example of children being made to wear protective goggles to play conkers, he says this is not something the HSE or the law has required.

"We want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death," he claims.

Among the principles the partnership will be promoting are self-responsibility, reduction of commonly-occurring risks and ensuring people are properly protected.

The HSE has listed a number of other popular but incorrect health and safety myths including the claim they insisted on the replacement of all park benches under a certain height and required Punch and Judy shows to make risk assessments.