This in from Andrew Turner’s office, in their own words. Ed
‘Health & Safety’ is often used as a convenient excuse to prevent what are essentially sensible activities going ahead.
The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, is encouraging Islanders to challenge advice given or decisions made, in the name of ‘Health & Safety’ if it appears wrong or disproportionate.
Myth Busters Challenge Panel
The Health and Safety Executive has set up an independent panel – the Myth Busters Challenge Panel.
This is a pool of independent people who represent a wide range of interests, including small businesses and other organisations where common sense decisions are made on how to deal with risk.
The Panel will consider complaints against Health and Safety decisions and advice to see if it is sensible and proportionate. It aims to respond to complainants within 48 hours.
Encouraging Islanders to challenge advice
Mr Turner commented, “This is a very good move. If Islanders are given what they feel to be incorrect or disproportionate advice in the name of ‘Health & Safety’, they can now challenge it through the Myth Busters Challenge Panel.
“Health & Safety should be about managing real risks properly in order to reduce work related accidents and foreseeable dangers, not preventing people from going about their daily lives. For instance a Scottish Primary School were told they couldn’t use Blu Tack to display childrens’ artwork due to Health and Safety concerns.
“The Myth Busters Panel decided that was rubbish and recommended the artwork was prominently displayed for everybody to enjoy!”
35 cases considered
Cases considered will be published on the HSE’s website, together with the Panel’s opinion, building a portfolio of real-life examples of incorrect or disproportionate advice given, or decisions taken in the name of ‘Health & Safety’.
Since the Panel was launched in April 2012, 35 cases have already been considered.
Details can be found at : www.hse.gov.uk/contact/myth-busting.htm
Image: alexliivet under CC BY 2.0
