Legal advice: Health and safety myths debunked

The wise old saying goes 'don't believe everything you read' and this is certainly the case with much of the press coverage about health and safety.

There are many myths about what the 'elf and safety' have done to stop activities taking place and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has started a 'myth of the month' page on its website. A few such myths are:

New regulations require trapeze artists to wear hard hats​ Reported in several newspapers and absolute tosh! There are no such regulations. Trapeze artists work at height so their safety has to be considered but hard hats are not required.

Risk assessments must always be long and complex.​I would say that was certainly the impression given by some EHOs but the reality is that risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient. Paperwork doesn't actually protect anyone, but clear, concise guidance on how to work safely does. Use bullet points and keep risk assessments as short as they need to be.

The HSE bans the use of step ladders. ​Again, not true. Nor has the use of ladders been banned. We had a newspaper report that firefighters couldn't check people's smoke detectors because they weren't allowed to go up a step ladder.

The HSE advises that in order to comply with the Working at Height Regulations, employers must choose the right equipment for the job and provide employees with a safe system of work. Proper planning and ladders in good repair, used in safe conditions by competent, trained people will suffice for most jobs.

Safety mania bursts clown's bubbles. ​A clown has had to stop blowing bubbles at a children's party because it could be a safety hazard. It wasn't health and safety which prevented such an activity but the clown's insurance company, which put up his insurance premiums because it felt there was a risk that civil action claims could increase if children fell over chasing the bubbles. And, of course, they didn't want to pay out.

Health and safety shouldn't be an excuse for banning activities - it's often used as a lazy way of taking responsibility. All activities should be planned to be undertaken safely - a common sense approach to what could cause an accident, what can be done to prevent it and what steps need to be put in place to ensure everyone remains safe.

So enjoy your pub fund-raising events, summer barbecues and children's play activities - just spend a few minutes thinking through the 'What if' scenario and making sure you have reduced the risks of

foreseeable accidents and incidents.