Rank: Forum user 
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I read these posts on a regular basis and keep seeing a recurring theme -RISK AVOIDANCE
It seems to me that a lot of people who I presume are "Safety" people because they are here; often say we shouldn't do this or that, because it is dangerous. I assume, because it is easier to stop an activity rather than go to an effort and manage safely. The principle public criticisim of our profession !
I have wondered is it a competence issue of Health and Safety Advisors, that they do not have enough experience or ability to develop practical risk management solutions.
So instead of posting useless help like: "you don't want to do that !" How about posting some useful and practical advice on RISK MANAGEMENT, after all is that not what we are meant to be doing.
Rise to the challenge and be seen to MANAGE RISK not just default to AVOID. Maybe then our pubic perception may change?
Rant over ta !
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Stick a label on it and pigeon hole it! Thought about writing for the press? There are lots of cases on this forum where people have offered practical sollutions. If everyone here were of the same opinion there would be nothing to discuss.
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Rank: Super forum user
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A good adviser needs to consider not only common sense e.g. H&Safety areas but we also have to consider the other areas at the same time that have interest e.g. lawyers, the press, insurers
If people are risk adverse, in my opinion they are not as RA as the press says that
they are, its because of the press in particular who want headlines and nothing else
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Actually the first principle of risk assessment is avoidance. That aside, we should be managing the risks we create in a proportionate manner. Risk avoidance is really a concept. In the real world you cannot completely avoid risk and I would be surprised if any h&s practitioner worth his/her salts was not aware of that. The real issue to what degree should one try and manage risk and specifically low risks. It is a problem for the industry and not one that has a simple anwser, albeit one could argue to ALARP principles, which is essentially subjective anyway.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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glencoe wrote:I read these posts on a regular basis and keep seeing a recurring theme -RISK AVOIDANCE
It seems to me that a lot of people who I presume are "Safety" people because they are here; often say we shouldn't do this or that, because it is dangerous. I assume, because it is easier to stop an activity rather than go to an effort and manage safely. The principle public criticisim of our profession !
I have wondered is it a competence issue of Health and Safety Advisors, that they do not have enough experience or ability to develop practical risk management solutions.
So instead of posting useless help like: "you don't want to do that !" How about posting some useful and practical advice on RISK MANAGEMENT, after all is that not what we are meant to be doing.
Rise to the challenge and be seen to MANAGE RISK not just default to AVOID. Maybe then our pubic perception may change?
Rant over ta !
Hi, I agree totally and have said so in a recent thread re fire. I can't remember my exact words but to the effect of instead of just criticising and suggesting not to do something why not actually help by providing some practical solutions. After all there are some very, very experienced safety professionals here who must have more than a wealth of knowledge that can be passed down to the less experienced. rant over - for now!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hey, I have to agree with Raymond on this (now that's a new one!). There is definitely a place for risk avoidance, and it is right there at the top of the 'principles of prevention', BUT I understand where Chris is coming from, some people see avoidance as the only way ahead and would rather quote some reg or whatever in order to prevent many activities that really don't need to be stopped. You don't need a safety professional for that, just someone who can read the regs! I regard my role as an 'enabling' role; that is to enable my business to function, be efficient, make a profit BUT also keep people safe and healthy by applying sensible risk management principles, which MAY mean avoid. Yes, avoid risk if that is reasonable and cost effective and is balanced against cost and the benefit of undertaking the activity.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Plus ca change!
Offering an opinion that a risk is greater than perceived by another is not risk avoidance is it? Do I really need a solution to a problem that doesn't arise because I consider it cannot/should not be done?
Like my accountant who tells me every year that I don't have the money to buy a new Jag this year. Is he being risk averse or is he just making sure I understand the risk of going ahead if I choose to do it anyway! Of course, you might argue that he should tell me that I cannot afford to buy it but if I insist then I should do it by------ But what if his opinion is that I must not do it under any circumstances?
It is also a matter of opinion as to whether a comment is helpful or not. I have posted questions in the past and found the "aagh don't do that" responses very helpful as a benchmark. Then there is the whole question of offering specific solutions to matters of which you have a very limited knowledge. "The primrose path to hell is paved with good intention" after all.
I am sure we could all do better with our responses. However I do not accept the premise that it has anything to do with competence or stereotyping of risk aversion.
Look for the pearls in the replies you receive is my suggestion. Diversity of opinion is a strength not a weakness and inclusion of all views is essential for the best solutions. My best bit of advice about improving the quality of responses; lead by actions not by demands.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It all depends on what is being asked, 'I was doing a parachute jump the other day but there was no parachute available, so I avoided it' seems reasonable to me. There was a task we were doing the other day and could not avoid doing it so we assessed it and put in control measures to help prevent injury.
Sometimes these pages do become trapped in avoidance. I have just had a log burning fire put in my house and I have been provided by the company with heat resistant gloves. It also provided me with the instructions that the fire will become hot when burning. I was unsure what they meant by this so I tested it and they were right (these blisters don't half hurt).
It's difficult at times to know what to do as when you are dealing with a claim you look at what the solicitors are asking for and realise that you have either not done enough or they require to much.
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