I bought my poppy the other day. The nice lady got the poppy and the pin and put it on for me.
"I'm sorry" she said "I have to stick it on for you cos health and safety insist we do it"
"Why's that?" I asked
"In case you hurt yourself with the pin and sue me!" She replied. Eyes rolling.
So I am buying a poppy to remember all those who have gone to war and died to give me freedom and I'm not to be trusted with a pin!
3 comments:
Strangely, a poppy seller refused to pin one on my sister the other day, for precisely the same H&S reasons.
A world gone mad.
There is a good article in my trade magazine this week that says that it is not H&S law that is at fault, but perceptions of H&S law. The law, in general, says that you need to be sensible and think about risk. What it does not say is that you have to be daft and wrap everything in cotton wool. It is largely because of scaremongering in the press that some people have developed an over-cautious nature and blame everything on H&S law that doesn't actually exist.
That said, I do think H&S law could be simplified. As with many things, it has been added to and messed about with in a piecemeal way over the years when it really needs simplification and clarification into a workable whole.
Another problem is the increasingly litigious nature of our society - you've seen the ads on daytime telly ("hit your thumb with a hammer? we'll help you sue Stanley tools! and B&Q! and the nail manufacturer! and your parents! even if they're dead!!!"). Business and authorities are dead keen to avoid being sued, understandably. And have you noticed that your car insurance has shot up in price? Same cause.
Rant over.
Masher - Yes, indeed!
Graybo - Always a pleasure to have you rant over here. Yes, the compensation culture is rife.
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