Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Crim
This was a headline in yesterday's Daily Mail, page 63, about a punch and judy show that has a balding health and safety inspector as a villan, he even wears a yellow flourescent jacket, and who gets "whacks from Punch with his famous slap-stick".
This because the puppeteer is fed up with health and safety requests for risk assessments on his tented stage. The inspector appears when a crocodile and sausages appear on stage and he asks if Punch has made the appropriate risk assessments?
Has this now gone too far as we in the profession are now really the but of all the jokes, or can we still see the funny side?
Does anyone think that if this sort of thing continues health and safety will be a business to get out of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Liesel
Hmmm, there does seem to be an increasing tendency to blame "elf n safety" for so much- often when insurance companies and civil liablities are what is at the root.
Yet the public's over-reaction to risk must also be a driver- I mean, who can forget the campaign in the wake of the Upton Nervet rail accident calling for seatbelts on trains- totally disproportionate yet for a while had headlines supported by the very same papers that condemn the "wicked H&S inspector." However, in relation to the same incident I also suspect that the very same papers would condemn more vigorous enforcement of the Road Traffic Act at level crossings- they are usually very hostile to the traffic police in spite of the annual road death toll.
We must also remember that it is the tendency of the "chattering classes" to protest at every little thing that impacts their convenience, whether it be H&S or anything else. Yet that very ability to concentrate on the little things is in itself a victory- now that death is not so often an occupational hazard we forget the value of what made that, and keeps that, so.
So I think we still have to see the funny side, mainly because provided we remain proportionate and balanced we will eventually win some understanding and acceptance of what we do at least in our own small patches. Plus, every now and then, you see/experience an incident where thanks to something you did/put in place someone is walking around alive who would otherwise not be. Reward enough to stay in the business, I'd say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Jibes at stereotypes of professionals are a form of Trivial Pursuits especially in low-brow media which make easy money out of it.
After all, it's not too challenging to stereotype h/s professionals rather than doctors, when the scientific lore of medics is difficult to lampoon accurately, whereas the scientific knowledge of h/s professionals is regrettably less evident.
Maybe there's a fair bit further to slide before joining the 'sad' stereotypes of 'boring' accountants?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Pete48
Crim , I think that is the funniest bit of slapstick I have heard about for a while.
If you think about the history of Punch and Judy then we should be flattered to be so important that we are now included in the finest traditions of lampooning in this country.
And remember
"There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true." W.Churchill
Give up and get out, no way!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Emma Forbes
Ach, let the children play I say. I've had my fair share of folk asking me where my leather patched tweed jacket and clipboard are on a night out when being chatted up (errrrm, it has happened once this year) - which, incidentally is a great way to get rid of any lecherous men when I tell them what I do for a living.
I love my job and I'm proud to say I'm a safety practitioner and I take the jibes and bad press with a unhealthy pinch of salt. I know I'm in my job for the right reasons and health and safety is changing every day. I see it being more dynamic, manageable and accessible than what it ever has been and I feel privileged to be part of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By John Murgatroyd
Bearing in mind the current gov theme of deregulation for everything (except taxes) I am extremely suspicious of big business getting involved in anything tending to satirise, or despise, Health and Safety. Newspapers are big business.
There are now small business organisations telling the HSE that they would like to be informed about exactly when they are coming (to get the paperwork right). I was having a chat with an inspector a month ago....the comment was made (in response to a comment about small biz) "that'll be the day, most of our problems come from small companies"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By GT
Crim,
Hooray!!!!!!!
Recognition......in the spot light ....... on the stage. Yes!
Not the first or last time we will be beaten up.
Emma, not sure if you are complaining about the lack of approaches by admirers or the fact you only frequent places where lewd males approach you. Don't go there.
regards...I jest...........merry xmas to all
GT
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Andrew Cartridge
"That's the way to do it"
Andy
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By GeoffB4
Quote: After all, it's not too challenging to stereotype h/s professionals rather than doctors, when the scientific lore of medics is difficult to lampoon accurately, whereas the scientific knowledge of h/s professionals is regrettably less evident.
I think that says is all really. ---puts hands in air and runs away screaming---
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Derek Carpenter
The image of any profession is important and there is no doubt Health and Safety is viewed as interfering. rather than protective these days.
Health and Safety is the product of our lives being ruled by regulation and some view it on a par with Traffic Wardens!A power trip.
Clipboard and pencil is the stereotype and a lack of desire to have any humour.
Even the Head Teacher who banned parents making cakes for the school fete because of potential nut allergies and Ecoli was placed in the Health and Safety madness bracket.
Who is to blame for the speed of diminished respect?
It cant just be the press on their own.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By steve e ashton
Didn't P&J used to lampoon the policeman?
Makes me proud to think my profession is now so well known that P&J should believe we are as recognisable to one and all as the polis...
Used to be said that there's no such thing as bad publicity... so just grin and bear it!
If I saw the show I think I would be laughing as much (if not more!) as the kids.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.