Health & Safety: A Creator or Solution of Problems?
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According to new research figures, allergy suffers are on the increase. I've always had a nut allergy and until recently felt unique, helped in large part by my GP who said such things "are impossible".
Up to the age of ten I assumed divine punishment at work following a 'nut cracknel' theft (Catholic guilt being such as it is). Once I worked out that God had bigger things on his mind, I just steered clear of them. Sometimes it's unavoidable - on one first date I was surreptitiously fed ground peanut as a test. As she told me on the way to Casualty, "so many men have lied to me previously".
As such, the Health and Safety warnings that now appear should be of benefit to me. Unfortunately as manufacturers put them on every product from chocolate to salads, any benefit is negated. For example, Cadbury's have recalled a batch of Double Choc Bars, not because it contains nuts, but due to the absence of labelling warning that the bar is made in a factory containing nuts.
And it's not just manufacturers that are allergy paranoid. Barney Baloney, a ballon bending clown, was booked for a gig at a Tesco's only to be told when he arrived that balloons where banned as Latex could trigger an allergic reaction. Mr Baloney was no stranger to the Ballon Police, having previously been banned from twisting balloons into the shape of guns, as it might encourage violent behavior. (Remember ballon guns don't kill people, people do. Interestingly though his ballon swords where deemed ok.) Additionally, the clown couldn't get liability insurance for his bubble making machine, since bubble solution is a slip hazard.
So the question is, H&S a creator or solution of problems?
On one hand building sites are, statisically at least, safer following H&S iniatives. But are we creating a Nanny State when schools insist that children wear safety googles when playing conkers?
Looking back, could the Nanny State have created an empire and spurned intrepid explorers? Nelson's last words "Kiss me, Hardy" would have been confined to history quicker than the housemates of BB3 if the response was: "Best not, just eaten a Snickers."
However, in 1066, a quick H&S analysis prior to the Battle would have shown the danger of French archers 'having someone's eye out'. Safety googles would have been issued, and the Norman Conquest confined to, well, history.
As such, the Health and Safety warnings that now appear should be of benefit to me. Unfortunately as manufacturers put them on every product from chocolate to salads, any benefit is negated. For example, Cadbury's have recalled a batch of Double Choc Bars, not because it contains nuts, but due to the absence of labelling warning that the bar is made in a factory containing nuts.
And it's not just manufacturers that are allergy paranoid. Barney Baloney, a ballon bending clown, was booked for a gig at a Tesco's only to be told when he arrived that balloons where banned as Latex could trigger an allergic reaction. Mr Baloney was no stranger to the Ballon Police, having previously been banned from twisting balloons into the shape of guns, as it might encourage violent behavior. (Remember ballon guns don't kill people, people do. Interestingly though his ballon swords where deemed ok.) Additionally, the clown couldn't get liability insurance for his bubble making machine, since bubble solution is a slip hazard.
So the question is, H&S a creator or solution of problems?
On one hand building sites are, statisically at least, safer following H&S iniatives. But are we creating a Nanny State when schools insist that children wear safety googles when playing conkers?
Looking back, could the Nanny State have created an empire and spurned intrepid explorers? Nelson's last words "Kiss me, Hardy" would have been confined to history quicker than the housemates of BB3 if the response was: "Best not, just eaten a Snickers."
However, in 1066, a quick H&S analysis prior to the Battle would have shown the danger of French archers 'having someone's eye out'. Safety googles would have been issued, and the Norman Conquest confined to, well, history.
Here Is The Writer : Martin Gallagher
Martin Gallagher has never played for West Ham or England, nor had a number one hit single, but he has worked in the City for many years (for what that's worth). A life-long Londoner, he made the migration from east to west a few years back and is still trying to get used to the absence of fried chicken takeaways and the over abdundance of coffee shops. Martin is married, has two daughters, and is also interested in travelling, football and writing. He hopes to publish his first novel 'sometime in the future'.
view more articles by Martin Gallagher
