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Bad Press again over risk from knitting needles in the NHS
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Posted By Chris Harris
So, once again the elf & safety fraternity have received bad press in the Daily Mail (Knitwits) Safety police outlaw NHS knitters over fears of accidents with needles.
I am afraid that once again we have all been tarred with the same brush following the decision by Congleton War Memorial Hospital in Cheshire that the use of knitting needles are to be restricted as they are too sharp to be used safely. (NO previous accidents, etc etc)
Condemmned by MP Phililip Davies as "completly barmy" the reported decision by the director of nursing & operations at East Cheshire NHS trust just seems to fuel the H & S sceptics not to take H & S seriously.
Plastic knives & forks for patients next?
Has this gone too far & what will IOSH do to avoid similar bad press?
Any comments?
Chris
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
No we cannot use them as they might break and create sharp fragments.
We could use washable cutlery with rounded edges and points of 25mm diameter, or equivalent, though. Might be slow work at meal times though and salmonella could develop on food while it sits for 3 hours, on the plate at the bed, waitng to be consumed!:-)
Bob
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Merv Newman
Chris,
I haven't looked at the article and, seriously, I don't want to. Having worked with the fashion industry I always recommend blunt needles. they don't cut the threads and they tend to bounce off fingers. (maintenance workers looking after tights knitting machines get free manicures)
If we are talking knitting then who is being daft ? My mum did me a 3 yard scarf without coming down with TMS. (school colours)(ricky grammer) Socks too. But I could never get the round-the-corner bit
Merv
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Posted By jayjay
Hi Guys !
As the others have mentioned it is always 'us' health & safety people that seem to get it in the neck. Obviously the person who puts the blame at our feet failed to mention the number of attacks that employees of the NHS receive every year. My partner works for the NHS and to be truthful some of the stories of attacks i hear of are shocking ! So therefore i would rather some idiot who has been out on a friday night, got tanked up and injured himself doesn't get the chance to get his hands on anything he could use as a weapon, be it knitting needles or similiar just because they won't see him first.
Regards JJ
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Merv Newman
Do we have a name ? i.e. who was the qualified safety person who calculated the MTBF of knitting needles ?
Nah. I'm off to weed the garden. Old safety boots, leather gloves, glasses are already to BS 2830 (?) Jeans and a polo. Don't reckon I need a hard hat. Carol thinks that my sombrero is "cute"
But maybe the heavy y-fronts ? (have to beware of the killer mole)
Merv
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Posted By Tarquin Farquor
As with anything in the press this needs to be more closely looked at.
To offer an alternative 'spin'.
It appears that the box of knitting needles was in a reception waiting room with access to it by anyone who entered.
It was / is feared that they would be attractive as and be used as a weapon.
The box has been moved to behind the reception desk and knitting needles wool etc is available on request.
Considering the amount and types of apaulling attacks that NHS staff are already subjected to then this course of action may actually not be too bad an idea?
Regards
TF
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Posted By John Allen
So Tarquin, are you telling us that once again the Daily Mail has got it wrong? Surely not!
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Tarquin Farquor
No, not me John you've got the wrong man.
I am but a mere mortal and would not dare to cast aspersions over the mighty press.
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Bad Press again over risk from knitting needles in the NHS
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