The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established the Myth Busters Challenge Panel 12 months ago, and one year on it has come across an array of strange decisions, all made, often inappropriately, in the name of health and safety.
In its first annual report, the Challenge Panel revealed 150 cases of businesses and public bodies using non-existent rules to stop perfectly safe activities. This includes cases where:
In the latter case, the diner reportedly told the restaurant that, as a grown-up, he was happy to risk putting a toothpick in his mouth.
Judith Hackitt, Chair of the HSE, said, "Why on earth do people think that they can get away with banning pint glasses with handles, bubbles at a birthday party, or burgers served anything other than well done, claiming they are a health and safety hazard?"
"The reality is that people hide behind health and safety when there are other reasons for what they're doing - fear of being sued perhaps, or bad customer service. It's time for them to own up to their real motives."
Ms Hackitt added, "The sad fact is that while all this nonsense is being spouted, it overshadows what health and safety is really about - ensuring people return home without injury from their day's work, every day."
