I disagree. Where's the accident history?

I think another kiljoy ruling that gives h&s a bad name. Glow sticks have been used in clubs for years without incidents calling for them to be banned.

I've even seen one clubber break one open put the stuff all over his teeth then dance with his gob open. Now thats daft but down to him but not necessary a call for them to be banned. They do have some use as to help people see where their going or their mates are when the lights are low.

If they are worried someone might slip on a wet floor then perhaps they should think about drinking and sweaty bodies but if you ban these then what's left.

To me this is a minor hazard and sometimes people should be allowed to conduct their own life allowing them to choose if they want, people are really starting to get fed up with the 'what if' brigade

Chris - surley you're not advocating 'absolute safety'? Although I aren't an expert on this kind of event safety, I have used them myself and been to plenty of events where glow sticks are used and I am finding it difficult to accept that they present a signifcant risk, or such a risk that necessitates them being 'banned'.

If you read the link there is a reference to something that happened to Morrisey at the same venue, he was hit with a "Plastic" glass of beer, and then went off stage never to return. Now that's what I call health and safety spoiling fun because if they had got it right then Morrisey would have continued his act to the end.

OK you all get on with what you do and when there is an accident involving these things I'll get on here and say "I told you so".

Quote - OK you all get on with what you do and when there is an accident involving these things I'll get on here and say "I told you so".

Come on Chris - fair play - the original post was regarding glow sticks and the general comments were about the level of risk. Do the glow sticks present a significant risk? I very much doubt it. Life in general and working life, HASAWA, nor the courts expect or require zero risk or zero accidents. Lets try and keep things in proportion.

I'm definitely not Morrissey but if I was Arena Management I would take the same view, as far as I am concerned this is the right decision.

It's not just health and safety at stake it's also the reputation of the Arena. They want the big stars to come to Liverpool and need to protect their image.

Nil accidents/incidents is not only good for the image but good for the paying public.

glow sticks can break but normally will take force to break them. The probability of a glow stick breaking is therefore minimal. (yes you can cut them but I would be more worried about sharp implements in a venue). I have used glow sticks in a work & also leisure environment & have found them quite safe. The only ones I know of being opened have all been done deliberately. Banning them is not, to me, a real safety issue. I would be more worried about spilt alcoholic drinks making the floor slippy but then again the venue makes money on alcohol sales. Also as alcohol is considered a depressant, should it be consumed when listening to Morrissey?

Hahaha

I cannot believe that any person believes that a competent safety professional has undertaken this assessment of risk regarding this situation.
As professionals we are not risk adverse as some others have quite rightly highlighted. We should deal with risks in a pragmatic and structured manner that analyses the actual risks.
In this case this clearly has not been done.

I’d feel very ashamed if any professional safety practitioner had signed up to this nonsense! This does nothing for the reputation of real professionals.

Chris, considering not one person has supported your stance on the matter, are you now prepared to reconsider your stance? Not easy to do but perhaps the right thing to do in the circumstances.

Health and safety professionals are able to think beyond the usual one dimensional thinking, they have too!
This is why you have been fortunate to have the same response from everyone.

Chris, if you really believe your own comments regarding zero risk then coins must be banned. Everyone with coins should be barred from the arena (to stop them from being thrown!). Make sure this arena stops selling all the sundries relating to containers; which they make a small fortune on. This will prevent slipping on the waste and any other potential projectiles - I don’t believe for a second that they will - and why should they?

Chris, it’s a silly argument to assess risk from one action and relate it to another i.e. plastic beer container and glow sticks. It’s also worth noting that I nor anyone else has made a personal comment relating to you directly. I did state that the person who made this decision should be ashamed - you merely agree with that decision, don’t play the martyr.

Think of all the real high risk activities at a stage event like this. I was out at the MEN arena last week to watch people climbing wire ladders 40+ feet in the air - and guess what not clipped onto anything until they got to the top landing area?

You cannot wrap people in cotton wool and use the guise of health and safety. This sort of action stereotypes our profession which is then hyped-up by the media.

Many of the comments you have been fortunate to receive have come from experts in the field. I hope you reconsider your thoughts, even if you don’t wish to share those comments on this or any other forum.

Chris

Not wanting to continue the argument but if you have posted your personal opinion then I am sure you would not want everyone to be denied this right to comment on your personal opinion.

But with regards to the Glow Sticks, I have them in my emergency response pack, to help in the event of an emergency during darkness, should these be banned for H&S reasons.

Chris, I can only speak for myself in the thanks you give for others contribution however, I do struggle to see where you are now coming from regarding you last post?

Yes, every person is entitled to their opinion (it‘s called democracy), this includes you.
However, you have now decided that YOU believe that this post has run its course and therefore should be locked?
What was you real point in coming on an open public forum? Would you still want it locked if everyone agreed with you?

Not one singular person holds with your opinion and from this your now stating that the IOSH Moderators MUST lock this topic?

Chris, constructive criticism is one of the foundations for learning. By you’re dismissive nature to the valid comments made for your initial post you are allowing a sense of ego or feelings to stand in the way of objectively considering the comments.

Chris, it is important to recognise that the people offering the constructive criticism are doing so in an effort to help, not hurt. When you can accept constructive criticism as a tool for improvement offered by a friendly source, you go a long way toward achieving personal growth.

What's this all about, it appears that yours is the only opinion to count, you made a posting and when very few if any agreed you want the posting closed. Is this because you realised how silly the posting or content was?

Both sides of the argument have been expressed. Everyone must now make up their own mind on this topic.

It is appropriate to stop this topic now, as we need to respect the right of others to take a different view from our own.

Jane