Posted By Stephen Mitchell See also http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8107858.stm Steve

Posted By Stephen Mitchell Apologies for posting the same link as Paul; it should have been http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8108558.stm Steve

Posted By steven n There was a teacher on Sky news this morning commenting on this story, I didn't catch the guys name. He claimed to be a health and safety expert for the N.U.T, he put across the point held by most of us that these 'rules' are put in place by over zealous heads and governors because of the fear of being sued and are not down to some nanny state law that bans fun. If anyone else seen this and knows his name, please post it as he done a great job in stating our case.

Posted By Andrew W I heard this reported on local radio this morning and was absolutely astounded. As stated above I immediately thought that this would be nothing to do with H&S and more to do with perceived liability issues by Governors, heads and school staff. Whilst on the subject my 8yo daughters school trip has been cancelled today due to 'elf n safety'. My other half who is also educated in the correct application of H&S and who is also a school governor questioned the decision. The response was "its been raining most of the week and a child could slip down" Correct me if I'm wrong but don't children slip down all the time. I know my daughter does, as did I. Its part of growing up (liability again but as with all unpopular decisions blame H&S) Lawks a mercy where are we going with this perceived liability mentality. I just wish people would be honest and say "we aren't going to let your children do that because we are frightened to death that if something goes wrong we'll get sued to pieces instead of hiding behind H&S all the time. Infuriated Andy W

Posted By Stefan Daunt A representative from the HSE was being interviewed by the BBC this morning in the studio. She did a really good job of fighting the sensible risk management corner. The 2 interviewers where put into place by her when they suggested that it was the HSE who had placed the ludicrous rules and regulations, myth or otherwise into our Schools that we know of so well, application of plasters, blue tack, running etc. When asked what type of health and safety rules should be in place for children, she simply replied, just the rough stuff,like proper fights. Probably much like when we where at School.

Posted By Andrew W Sally My heart goes out to you. Trying to explain and implement sensible risk management is hard enough to over zealous main contractors. But to try and do it in an education/LA environment!! I wouldn't have your job for a very large gold pig. Andy W

Posted By Andrew W Well that seems an excellently large population on which to base such a huge media campaign. As stated many times before on this site 'never let the truth get in the way of a good headline'!!

Posted By Sally It's certainly an interesting job but I thoroughly enjoy it. At the moment it's particulary interesting reading the contrast between this 'too much h&s for children' and some of the press reactions to the unfortuate death of a Beaver Scout. Unless we do wrap our children in cotton wool we have to accept as a society that some children will get hurt and some will get killed.

Posted By martinw Of course not all accidents are preventable. That is why they are accidents, even if there is some foreseeability. How can you stop a random accident in a large number of children in a playground? Cover them and the ground in bubble wrap? What do we do next, cut down every tree in the countryside and flatten every flight of stairs? Dangerous nonsense indeed.

Posted By Andy Petrie Accidents will happen and people will get hurt and occasionally killed - fact. To think all accidents are preventable is misguided, we can work to implement reasonably practicable measures to reduce accident likelihood and severity but we can't prevent them all.