Posted By TK Its obvious the real driver here is economics rather than safety concerns. The fire service is not there to save communities money. There was case about two years a go where the pilot of a RAF helicopter diverted to his mum's house to drop of her groceries. No doubt a few dafties will feel this was a worthwhile use use of resources too. Where do you stop? Taking down the bunting I think. Thomas

Posted By Paul Leadbetter In an emergency, firefighters will clearly use ladders as they are the only practicable option. We are talking here about a planned activity and firefighters are,thus, subject to the same legislation as everybody else. Paul

Posted By Robert K Lewis I also note from the R4 programme today that small business people are the experts on the WAH Regs and that these regulations also deal with the strength of lamposts and wall fixings for hanging Xmas decorations. It is good to know everybody is so up on the legislation!! I just hope there is no IOSH press release concerning bad risk assessment over this item. Bob

Posted By Ali I would like to see where exactly you read this - no doubt it was not featured in any H&S journal, but some newspaper ? If it was in an newspaper I would take the news with a pinch of salt. We have read several such previous "bans" before, which the HSE have denied. Who else is capable of "banning" equipment / processes anyway ? Ali

Posted By Merlin Ali Follow the link in the first posting of this It was identified in an article read out on national news this morning at 5 am so did search and found the news paper with this article

Posted By Paul Hi all, I am a serving Firefighter (20 Years)can't wait to tell my boss "Sorry Chief but your going to have to put all the ladders on E-bay" We can't use them anymore the're to high. Does this mean we can't dial 999 as we might get Carpel Tunnel Syndrome! Of course, then again, there's alway the manual handling lifting the reciever. Dangerous stuff this-being a Firefighter HELP!!!!!

Posted By Paul Parry Paul, you forgot to mention you'r most likely deaf due to the "two tones", and cant pump out water as someone might drown in the water. May I also suggest you put the tenders / pumps (or whatever you call) them up for sale on ebay, its far too risky to drive them at speed. Considering you can't use ladders, two tones, vehicles etc etc, I would suggest to your Boss (chief) he spends the profits on some safe comfy armchairs and have a nice cup of tea. Ops sorry, I forgot you will have to throw out the kettle as well. Its to dangerous to use (electrics and water),so make it a water (warm... cold can be dangerous)

Posted By MT Can I just ask if other managers or business owners would be happy to send their staff out during work hours, and take the responsibility for any accidents that happen, in order to put up/take down bunting or xmas decorations or anything else? I'm not saying that people don't or shouldn't, what I am saying is that many companies are not willing to do this any more and why should the fire and rescue service be any different? My father was a firefighter for 20 years and I'm sure he's lost count of the amount of strings of bunting he's put up and taken down, but I know that his ex-colleagues don't do that during their works hours or using work equipment any more. I'm just saying that before launching into the "oh we can't put fires out any more because we might drown in the water! ha ha ha" comedy routine, just think about the reasons why companies may not want their staff to do these things any more. It may be because there have been accidents, people off work, the business loses a member of staff and it costs them money. Yes, being involved in the community is great and very laudable, but not at the expense of your business, surely?