Same old stuff, confusion between Criminal and Civil law................but a modicum of truth in there as well.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12229394

Firstly the atricle is as much about the difficulty in assessing the fieldwork as opposed to set questions in exams so why the H&S headline? easy target again!

I am sure there are exceptions but of the three 'traditional' sciences Chemistry, Physics and Biology, I'd think only the latter lends itself to field trips (using the term literaly 'in the field') I'd think chemistry by its nature is largely confined to lab work (again under threat from too much risk assessment!). Then there the 'earth sciences' Geology, Geography etc.

In the related link to the BBC the examples used are Biology and Geology with the video showing children pond dipping, clearly an activity with significant but easily controlled risks. How many schools would so no -it's too dangerous? I really can't see where the burden is. In general these events have been run for years so the donkey work should have already been done, surely theres only a need to review and adapt for any unusal circumstances on the day. I remember geography filed trips in the Yorkshire Dales out walking looking at the geology etc, In my view, perfectly safe as long as the teacher was 'competent' today I expect it would be classed as adventure training and require a 'mountain leader' or equivalent.

I suspect the reduction is as much down the 'fear' if something goes wrong and even the costs involved in organising (even taking into account parental subsidies) than it is about too much paperwork.

Thundercliffe has agood point too. If H&S (and H&S Law) was part of the National curriculum maybe more people would know the difference. It no good telling the kids ' we can't do this because of H&S' as it gives them the wrong mindset for later life. Surley it's far better to engage them in the assessment process much like worker involvement. They'd get more from it and it could even rub off on the employers of the future. Crikey I think i am an idealist!!

I am sorry but this is just a load of ‘Elf and Safety’ hogwash. My wife is a science teacher who has organised field trips to the dales etc. The main issue she comes across is getting enough staff to supervise the kids whilst they are out of school. Headteachers are loath to provide cover for those staff who are out of school, especially hiring supply teachers as this costs money. In the past field trips used to include family members who could help out but now they all need Criminal Records Checks etc. It easier to blame H&S and not do the trip.
There is an annoying tendency to describe any form of regulation or compliance as Health and Safety, including food safety, criminal record checks, disability discrimination and even data protection as Health and Safety, which muddies the waters no end.
Rant over