Posted By Narrowboater I have several friends who are lock keepers for British Waterways. They are normally very happy to wear their life jackets, and are grateful that their employer takes health and safety seriously. However, over the past few days, and during much of June, when the temperatures have risen to the 30s, their life jackets are causing more distress and possible health issues, on, than off. I've checked the British Waterways Health and Safety Policy Statement which says that British Waterways will: "assess and manage the risks to the health and safety of our people and others that may be affected by our assets and work activities". I’ve done a little bit of research and found out that these duties are qualified in the Act by the principle of "so far as is reasonably practicable" i.e. an employer does not have to take measures to avoid or reduce the risk if they are technically impossible, or if the time, trouble or cost of the measures would be disproportionate to the risk (I gather ‘cost’ means in terms of £s, but could 'cost' also mean the cost of the employees health and general wellbeing?) I think before I hand this over to you guys (who know what the laws etc. are) , I ought to just add that it's only the lock keepers who are being made to wear the life jackets, the officials in shirts (loose cotton clothing as per the Department of Health’s recommendations for class 3 heatwave conditions), contractors working along side the locks (usually just bearing their tattoos and hard hats), and any other people in the vicinity are not required. Given their experience, the lock keepers are probably the least likely to fall in – I’ve got stats on drowning trends in inland waters and in 2003, there were 37 drownings in canals compared with 174 in rivers and streams. In my opinion, this is the sort of “health and safety gone mad” story the media get hold of and have a field day with which I guess is quite annoying from a H&S professional’s point of view.. Your thoughts, comments and feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you

Posted By Narrowboater No, I don't think so, my guess is that there is a hidden agenda, maybe something to do with insurance costs. Thanks for your advice though.

Posted By Narrowboater Merv, Thanks for your feedback, I guess that's exactly what I was expecting to hear. I suppose the issue here is finding the most suitable peice of kit for the job. I understand this is being looked into. As for taking a dip - hopefully most boaters and all lock keepers should know that ontact with stagnant water can pose health risks from waterborne diseases such as Weil's Disease (leptospirosis). Weil's Disease can be fatal if it remains un-detected. It is caused by rats' urine entering the body through cuts and grazes. It has been tempting these past few weeks but ...mmm maybe not!