Why The Media Needs To Carry Out A Risk Assessment!

It never ceases to amaze me in these crazy times how people, some supposedly well educated and intelligent, continue to spread and encourage false statements regarding Health & Safety.  These people, mainly from the media who probably have no qualifications in Health & Safety matters but hold degrees in sensationalism rather that journalism appear to be quite happy to earn a living by spreading fear and frustration among businesses and the general public alike.  In my opinion these people are more of a danger than the risks they talk about!  So I recommend that they reassess (if in deed they have ever carried one out in the first place) their code of practice and start reporting the facts about Health & Safety matters.

The Health & Safety Executive seems to be spending more of its valuable time having to respond and correct these myths and falsehoods instead of doing the work it is designated to do – help to protect peoples health by simple, practicable and sensible means.  Here are a couple of recent statements they have been forced to issue ..

HSE Responds to Portsmouth News letters page – “Left in utter despair by school activity day” 29 July 2010

Dear Sir,

Re: J Hawkins Letter: “Left in utter despair by school activity day” – 28 July 2010

I am saddened to read J Hawkins’ letter of 28th July, claiming schools can no longer have a sack race at their sports days, or children throw overarm, because of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

HSE does not ban sack races, or any competition in school. We support and encourage children to get involved in outdoor physical activity, as it is good for their health and development.

We focus on health and safety and the practical steps that protect people from real risks.  We do not want to stop members of the public from living and enjoying their everyday lives. I can assure your readers that all children can happily go about competing in school sports events, just like in the old days, and if they are told otherwise they should challenge it.

Yours faithfully,

Heather Bryant – HSE Regional Director for HSE South East

and ….

HSE responds to “Fish Out the Plastic Bags” reader’s letter (Express and Echo) – 29 July 2010

Dear Editor,

Re: “Fish Out the Plastic Bags” (letter by Alan Jones), Express and Echo 28 June 2010

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would like to point out that we do not get involved in decision making on how local authorities or volunteers go about their business on a daily basis or hinder them from carrying out their duties.

We would not in any way want to stop “someone with waders…” from clearing the rubbish bags in the River Exe flood relief channel or “getting in a little boat…to paddle up and down and get it looking ship shape…” HSE promotes a commonsense approach to risk so simple measures to avoid injuries are taken.

Yours faithfully,

Terry Rose – Regional Director, South West Health and Safety Executive

My pledge to the media is that I won’t write any more disparaging blog posts about you if you stop misrepresenting Health & Safety issues and spreading rumours that are stopping people from enjoying their lives.