Posted By Stuart McPhaden
I usually say something along the lines of - sense is not common to all.

Posted By The toecap
I say that Mark Twain wrote that 'common sense isn't that common'. On the driving issue i state that we all know that not drinking and driving is common sense, but people still do it.

Posted By D Whitelegg
Thought this might be of intereste to you.

David

Obituary


The sad passing of common sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable sessions as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early birds gets the worm, life isn't always fair and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to ADMINISTER Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student – but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the ten commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.



Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame and I Am A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

If you still remember him pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing.

Posted By ChrisB
Mark,

Simply correct them and point out that the majority of health and safety practice is just GOOD sense.

Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH
espescially when yoo cand spill

Posted By Kevin Mclaughlan
No ammount of common sense can tell you if an electrical cable has a hidden fault or if ceiling tiles contain asbestos.

Posted By John Allen
It’s disappointing to see the “Stella myth” recycled yet again in D Whitelegg’s posting. It makes you wonder how many of the other parts of it are true.

John and Kevin’s postings say it all. I would think that about 90% of human progress has depended on “common sense” being turned on its head. Safety practitioners should always be ready to challenge it.

Posted By Jane Blunt
A related thought

A control measure that would have prevented a mishap is often glaringly obvious after the event. In other words, hindsight tends to be a wonderful thing. We have a tendency to call this common sense.

Jane

Posted By Lilian McCartney
Hi Mark,

When I'm asked this I say that unfortunately not everybody applies it.
Depending on who is saying and tone of saying 'it's only common sense' I try to give an every day example like crossing the road. It's 'common sense' to look for traffic, therefore why do some people forget and get hit by a car?
That usually gives them something to think about for a while

Lilian

Posted By FJ
How about "its 90% acquired common sense"?

Posted By Brett Day
John Allen I second your comments and would also throw the school first aid items into the fray, My sister is allergic to penicillin, the school had been notified, but despite this they put a plaster on that had a penicillin based coating. One very badly ulcerated leg later, fortunately now as an adult the scars have faded.

Likewise the Panadol/Paracetamol/aspirin comment during my time in the RAF search and rescue (we also did air ambulance duties) I attended several overdoses from first aiders adminstering medications (most were asprin based) and either forgeting the dosage, another first aider takes over and re-administers, or for a very spectacular and painful death adminstering to a casualty with severe ulcers (they have a nasty habit of bleeding out).