Council combats health and safety myths

3:37pm Friday 16th May 2008

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Craven District Council says it will sign up to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are threatening to undermine important legislation.

Council representatives will join David Snowball, regional director for the Health and Safety Exec-utive, at the Sunhill Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Rylstone, on Friday May 23.

And as instructors from the centre demonstrate their skills on the aerial rope slide, the council will be signing up to the "ten principles of sensible risk management" - practical advice on what risk management should and should not be.

Mr Snowball said: "We've all heard the stories about health and safety' banning hanging baskets or making children wear goggles to play conkers.

"This is not what we are about. It is not what the HSE wants, not what Craven District Council wants and not what the law requires. We want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death; we do not want to stop people from living their lives.

"Nobody wants to stop people having fun but we can teach them how to approach the activities safely with supervision from trained staff and by issuing the right protective gear."

Council chief executive Gill Dixon said: "Protecting the health and safety of our workers and the community we represent has always been a crucial issue for us.

"Over time, the stories of health and safety' seem to have got out of all proportion and have undermined the good work we and other councils do to ensure that risks are managed appropriately.

"We are proud to be one of the first local authorities in our region to sign up to protecting our workers and community through sensible health and safety policies."