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Health and Safety Myths Exposed
24 October 2006
The media are full of stories about health and safety gone mad. But now the TUC has published a report correcting these false and exaggerated myths and explaining how they undermine the important role health and safety regulation plays in protecting people's health and well-being.
We have all read the stories about school kids being banned from playing conkers or the banning of St George's flags on 'health and safety' grounds. 'Health and safety' is often the reason given when the nanny state wants to spoil your fun. Well, this report from the TUC debunks those myths. The report looks at fourteen of the 'health and safety' myths that have appeared in the press in recent years. It reveals the half-truths that lie behind some and the outright untruth that lies behind others. Myths including local authorities banning hanging baskets, removal of fire-fighters poles at fire stations and churches facing crippling costs for replacing light bulbs are all demolished.
According to Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, the reality is far more serious. 'Myths about 'killer conkers' and banning ladders undermine the whole concept of health and safety in the public's eyes. Some employers, and others, are using health and safety as an excuse for making stupid decisions, but health and safety regulation in the UK is not out of control. The UK today has sensible and practical health and safety laws and we have half as many as we did 35 years ago. But because too many employers are ignoring them and not taking proper care of their staff, two million people in the UK are suffering from ill-health as a result of their work.'
The report can be found at the TUC website and a quiz based on the report at the Worksmart website.
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