Following on from our story last month on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign "sign up to sensible risks", which aims to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining important health and safety legislation, we at CEDREC have selected some of the more "interesting" stories from the past month. Are they "health and safety gone mad", or the tabloid press giving column inches to those using health and safety as an excuse to justify unpopular decisions? You decide!
Fifteen workers at Sellafield nuclear power station were sent home for not being clean-shaven. The contractors, who were working on an asbestos removal project at Calder Hill, began work at 7am in full protective gear including mouth masks. But later, two managers from Hertel Services who employ the men, told those who were not clean-shaven to go home because their stubble was causing a breach in health and safety regulations. Hertel Services say that a satisfactory respiratory seal cannot be achieved unless the worker is clean-shaven.
Patients in Frenchay Hospital in Bristol have allegedly been forbidden from putting cards or flowers by their bedside in order to keep the area free of clutter for the cleaners. Hospital bosses said it was possible for senior nurses to ask for cards to be moved if they were taking up too much space, and that flowers were discouraged because they could clutter lockers and hamper cleaners. Richard Cottle of North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said "We don't prevent patients displaying get well cards on the wards. However, maintaining a clean environment and reducing infection is the number one priority. Responsibility for cleanliness lies with the sister in charge on the ward, and if they feel the cards are getting in the way of domestic staff, they will ask them to be taken down."
Finally, a Kent pensioner was refused entry on a bus because the driver considered the sealed five-litre pot of paint she was carrying a health and safety risk. Transport for London confirmed that passengers can be refused entry under the Public Service Vehicle Regulations if anything they are carrying can be judged to be a safety hazard or could damage the vehicle or other passengers' property. A spokesperson commented, "As paint is flammable and can cause considerable damage if spilled, we would ask that anyone carrying it on our services minimise the risk of spillage by placing paint cans inside another bag or container so that the bus driver is confident there is not a risk to the vehicle or other passengers."
