Posted By AHS
Apparently about one child is killed a year by falling gravestones. Therefore is this acceptable as I understand acceptable risk is sometimes measured by probability involving fatalities in Road Traffic Accidents.

Posted By Raymond Rapp
About 2,500 people a year die in RTAs, it not acceptable but some might call it tolerable. We are prepared it seems to tolerate such deaths with very few interventions to reduce the level of deaths on our roads.

Posted By John J
As part of the Lancashire Occupational Health and Safety Group, yesterday, one of the members gave a short explanation of the practicalities of the testing and reason for it.

He said the test involved pushing the gravestone with minimal force to see if it would topple. Wobbling was not an issue and stones would not be laid down because of this.

The stones most likely to fail appear to be ones placed in the last 50 years as stone masons of dubious character did not use non-ferrous ties within the stones and these have now corroded.
He also reported that copper pipe and araldite had been used to cut corners and save money.

When considering the risk of it toppling he suggested we may wish to consider those who may be older who woild use the stone as support after tending the grave and getting up.

My Mother in Law takes my two year old with her when tending her mothers grave and he is staying over. He wouldnt 'swing on the stone' but could be injured if it was used as a support and fell.

It was a very thought provoking interlude to a great discussion on sensible risk management as presented by the HSE.

John