Posted By Zoe Barnett I see that the thorny issue of press items taking the mickey out of H&S has reappeared on these pages. Quite right too, we should be making a fuss about this misrepresentation! Surely it's time IOSH took a positive step to do something about this trend? After all, we're the ones whose jobs are made harder by the negative press - we all know how difficult it is to get the point across in a good climate, let alone one where H&S is being ridiculed - and IOSH is supposed to looking after our interests. Can't we have some kind of proactive press campaign to prove to the world that we're not a bunch of humourless, pedantic, killjoy, control freaks? Even a straightforward letter to the papers from IOSH (maybe even a joint approach with the BSC?)would be better than the silence with which these stories are being greeted.

Posted By Sean Fraser Zoe, Obviously I agree (since I put in the "Nanny State" article) but I suppose the danger is that by making a fuss, we might simply reinforce the negative perceptions. I wonder though if it is not the individual contributions that we all make that moulds the perceptions of our co-workers, and not the adverse publicity. After all, no-one says that H&S at work is wrong, it is the over-bureaucratic approaches and over-reactions that are being pilloried. And sometimes I think we probably do need a mirror held up to ourselves before we can appreciate the absurdity of some policies for exactly that reason. Reasonable and informed people will know that it is not the principle that is being attacked, but that it is the application that is being mocked. The best response is to review what we do for ourselves, and test the waters regarding our corporate culture and safety perceptions - if it is negative, we can deal with it directly. If it is positive, then we are doing OK and can continue to improve by building on that foundation. The public mass is seemingly on the whole ignorant and ill informed - but I have a sneaking suspicion that many are actually disgruntled with the way the media is treating them and are concerned about the manner and prevalence of mis-representation that goes on. But that, as they say, is a whole new can of worms!

Posted By Jonathan Breeze I assume this follows on from the Christmas tree thread. Can I advise caution to anyone who intends to write in. I know it sounds like I've changed my tune since last time the issue appeared on these pages, but I feel that any response, in this case, would need to be very carefully worded. I particularly like Zoe's joint approach idea. Maybe a tounge in cheek response would be best? Discuss.

Posted By John Donaldson Unfortunately it’s the bad news and supposedly humorous stories which sell papers. How many of the general public would bother to read a story about the benefits of health and safety? From the news papers perspective its not going to sell their papers for them. Take for example radioactive substances. If there is a minor problem anywhere its headline news with all the pundits telling us dangerous it is. How many times do we read about the benefits of radio therapy on the front pages? It does not sell papers!!!

Posted By Neil Pearson I'm not sure a humorous response is always best - it can look a bit forced and lame. We should be humorous where we can, but in the case of the christmas trees... Basically, people are either trying to make fun of us, or are trying to portray us as killjoys. Either way, the answer could be "How much fun actually is it for X people every year to spend Christmas with a permament back injury or partially sighted? Compared to that, we feel having to wear eye protection or take other precautions isn't such a hardship."