Health & Saftey: My Rant Options

[klm_city_hopper]

Health and saftey in the UK is ridiculous.I was talking to my sister today(who incidentley is leaving primary school today) and she said that they are not alowed to play tag(where you run around and the person has to catch you, when the catch you, you are ''it'' and you have to tag the other people) in school, becuase it is feared too ''dangerous''.Another thing is that my sister was not allowed outside on her LAST day of primary school because of her not wearing a sun hat.AND again when i was in my last year we were allowed to walk to the local supermarket to buy food and then go back to school and cook it, and guess what? She's not allowed to go do that now because of god damn H&S! Even though the route is through alleyways, well away drom the car that decides to swerve of the road to hit you.But when they are allowed out, they have to wear High viz jackets.I won't start on what idiots they all look.

Everything seems to be governed by people who have no sense of fun.I can understand the sun hat
dilema, becuase of sunburn and all that.But the rest?

What are your views?

[glnflwrs]

klm,
By primary I assume you mean the same as in the US. Grades 1-6, or ages 6-12.

They allow kids that age to leave the school at noon? On their own, by themselves?

Here in So Calif even the junior high and high schools are "closed campus". You can not leave the school, at all, anytime, until school is over for the day. Heck, they have eight foot chain link fences with locked gates and security officers at the gates.

We treat our students like prisoners, but it's protective custody.

No, that's too young to leave to go to market.

BUT, playing tag is OK. Who do they think they are? Leaving school is more dangerous than a good game of slap happy.

[charliepapa]

Yup. It's people like this: http://www.claimsdirect.com/ who are screwing up our world.

Let their offices fall to arsonists, and their morals rot in hell.

[virginflyer]

Yes its the *Nanny State* culture Britain is falling into because companies fear lawsuits, iam not sure if its being abused but if it is, they will tighten it up which is sad because wrapping people in cotton wool will only make them stay at home on the TV or PC and get fat and unhealthy anyway

I would rather go out and risk (not stupid risks) walking to town or cycling with as helmet on or playing tag, rather than stay at home bored, actually accidents happen in the home more than anywhere else.

Victims might say different, its all about opinions and if *its happened to you* So they may say this is a good idea, quite a contoversial topic which will generate a bit of debate, Should we wrap ourselves in cotton wool or risk the odd ordinary thing which has little chance of injury?

Play it safe but not go too mad

[klm_city_hopper]

klm,
By primary I assume you mean the same as in the US. Grades 1-6, or ages 6-12.

They allow kids that age to leave the school at noon? On their own, by themselves?

Here in So Calif even the junior high and high schools are "closed campus". You can not leave the school, at all, anytime, until school is over for the day. Heck, they have eight foot chain link fences with locked gates and security officers at the gates.

We treat our students like prisoners, but it's protective custody.

No, that's too young to leave to go to market.

BUT, playing tag is OK. Who do they think they are? Leaving school is more dangerous than a good game of slap happy.

They go with a teacher, or other school staff.

[iambenwyatt]

I agree with you KLM, I can't stand the whole health and safety gone mad thing you're talking. On the radio yesterday there was a story about how the government are thinking about limiting the amount of practise a bagpipe player can have per day as 'it could damage their hearing!' Argh!!! I can't stand it. Also, the whole politacally correctness gone mad thing that has been going on. Things like changing the word manhole cover as it's 'sexist.' Here's an example which happened to me.

Me and a few mates went to London for the day whilst the world cup was on and so we had an England flag on the car. Anyway, after driving around looking for a place to park (Not easy around London I can tell you) we were stopped by the police who asked us to remove our England flag as it could offend someone! Now is it just me that thinks that this is just a little bit ridiculous?

~Ben.

[wc12390]

Health and saftey in the UK is ridiculous.I was talking to my sister today(who incidentley is leaving primary school today) and she said that they are not alowed to play tag(where you run around and the person has to catch you, when the catch you, you are ''it'' and you have to tag the other people) in school, becuase it is feared too ''dangerous''.Another thing is that my sister was not allowed outside on her LAST day of primary school because of her not wearing a sun hat.AND again when i was in my last year we were allowed to walk to the local supermarket to buy food and then go back to school and cook it, and guess what? She's not allowed to go do that now because of god damn H&S! Even though the route is through alleyways, well away drom the car that decides to swerve of the road to hit you.But when they are allowed out, they have to wear High viz jackets.I won't start on what idiots they all look.

Everything seems to be governed by people who have no sense of fun.I can understand the sun hat
dilema, becuase of sunburn and all that.But the rest?

What are your views?

2 words... this world is becoming RIDICULOUS, Pathetic

[concorde001]

Whats happened is that we have somehow got the American compensation culture over here which basically means that you can sue anyone for pretty much anything. Until we can revert to our old fashion ways and people accept risks in life need to be taken, I imagine that life will be silly like this for a long time.

I understand that 1st aid is now under question. If you save someones life but break a bone or rib or something, then they can sue you even if you saved their life! It has happened. So less Americanisation of the UK is what we really need.

As for the flag incident, I have heard the law is being changed so incidents like that wont be able to happen. Besides, its freedom of expression, and unless the UK is a dictatorship (thinking about it with Mr Blair its no suprise) it should be allowed to happen.

[dolbinau]

The "No hat no play" rule is also over here, At least in every school I've been too.

[glnflwrs]

Have you guys ever heard George Carlin's rant about this? He starts by claiming that kids are overprotected with all the disinfectant hand soap, sanitizing air spray, bleach soaked counter wipes, etc.

Then he starts in with, "When I was a kid we got sick, our bodies fought it off, and we were stonger for it. H*ll, I used to swim in s--t. The East River is a cesspool,,,,," and on and on. Very funny.

[iambenwyatt]

Have you guys ever heard George Carlin's rant about this? He starts by claiming that kids are overprotected with all the disinfectant hand soap, sanitizing air spray, bleach soaked counter wipes, etc.

Then he starts in with, "When I was a kid we got sick, our bodies fought it off, and we were stonger for it. H*ll, I used to swim in s--t. The East River is a cesspool,,,,," and on and on. Very funny.

That it absolutely true, as a kid my parents let me play around in mud e.t.c whereas we have family friends who never let their son out of their sight and would not let him do anything which was 'dirty.' As we grew up I would always hear about how he had caught a terrible stomach bug here or diarrhea or something whereas I was never really affected.

Cheers,
Ben.

[karlhurst_380]

H&S? BS. They've basically removed the fun out of everything, they put covers over our school heaters, because "we might not know it's hot", well, we've known the risks of touching heaters since we started, so why should it be different now?. Another really stupid thing: I go on military camps with air cadets, we go on obstacle courses, you see a gaping hole in the ground right in front of you, then there's a tiny sign next to it that say's: "Caution: Risk of fall", well duh. Christ, anyone would think they get enjoyment out of being so pathetic, never caused any harm before, so why patronise us now?

[virginflyer]

Yes i agree Karl, its the same in my town, once at the carnival last year they said when playing crazy golf, kids should wear hats to prevent themselves from getting knocked out! talk about being crazy themselves

I think they gave up that idea which is good. What we need is challenges in life, if we didnt take minor risks here and there, the world would be a dull place to live in.

[rjb4000]

Here in So Calif even the junior high and high schools are "closed campus". You can not leave the school, at all, anytime, until school is over for the day.

Heh yeah my high school was a "closed campus" but no one argued the fact that the subway down the street was part of the campus..

[glnflwrs]

Now back in the old days, when I was in school in Anaheim, there were no fences, no guards, and usually no Glenn after lunch.

We didn't have closed campus in the late 60s. Ahhh, true freedom.

My wife is a H&S nut. Any little cut get HydPeroxide and a bandaid. Aches need Aspercreme. A cold or flu and she wants antibiotics which won't touch a virus.

Me, I take two aspirins everyday to help prevent Squibb from filing bankruptcy.

[Dan_Taylor]

Have you guys ever heard George Carlin's rant about this? He starts by claiming that kids are overprotected with all the disinfectant hand soap, sanitizing air spray, bleach soaked counter wipes, etc.

Then he starts in with, "When I was a kid we got sick, our bodies fought it off, and we were stonger for it. H*ll, I used to swim in s--t. The East River is a cesspool,,,,," and on and on. Very funny.

Yeah, my mom never moaned about me getting dirty. It's a way of helping the body naturally fight off and build up immunity to a tonne of bacteria. All this "being clean" has gone a bit over the top... to be honest. Let the kids get dirty.... they'll probably live longer!

Now back in the old days, when I was in school in Anaheim, there were no fences, no guards, and usually no Glenn after lunch.

We didn't have closed campus in the late 60s. Ahhh, true freedom.

My wife is a H&S nut. Any little cut get HydPeroxide and a bandaid. Aches need Aspercreme. A cold or flu and she wants antibiotics which won't touch a virus.

Me, I take two aspirins everyday to help prevent Squibb from filing bankruptcy.

Haha, Glenn.

This "closed campus" thing is kind of the same over here but only for Primary School (Years Reception, and 1-6) when you get to High School you're a big kid and you can go off site for lunch! WOAH the amazement. I still stayed in school though... even though I only live 500m from the school gates so i could've gone home.

Yep. Health and Safety regulations this, regulations that has definately removed the fun out of life. I mean come on - wearing goggles whilst playing conkers because you "might get a bit of conker in your eye"????!!!! Oh no it's the end of the world! And of course... the stupid signs they have to put up everywhere nowadays. You just feel like saying a big .... "well duh". We're truly becoming a nanny state... where everyone is scared of being sued. It was relatively OK until all these stupid "Injury Lawyers 4 U" and others came along which could get you compensation for any number of minor accidents.

Hell, take some risks in life. You might just find it that bit more fun

[karlhurst_380]

It makes me wanna jump in a pool of wet sloppy mud right in front of the H&S inspector, and say: "put that in your pipe and smoke it". LOL

[glnflwrs]

Karl,
He probably would tell you that it's OK to smoke it because the high temp in the pipe kills all the germs.

And then he'd put up a sign, "Wet sloppy mud! OK for smoking."


LOL !!

[klm_city_hopper]

As we write about H&S and claiming for unesecary things, we have adds all over this page for them!
It annoys me on these adverts where people fall over a step and the sue the council a couple of thousand pounds.

[Ben]

Some of you may have seen this animation before, but a good one none-the-less...

http://www.fat-pie.com/thechildthatsmeltfunny.htm

Maybe one day, hey?