HSE unveils ridiculous safety myths such as pub refusal to serve glasses with handles
An expert panel set by the HSE to expose health and safety myths has reported that a range of retailers have used the myths to cover up bad service or to avoid being sued.
In February 2013 one individual reported to the HSE that in various pubs/hotels they were refused a pint glass with a handle, and told they are now illegal, due to health and safety. Subsequently, the individual was served with them in other pubs and bars.
The panel said: “There is no occupational health and safety law preventing the use of glasses with handles. Health and safety should not be used an excuse to justify decisions made for other reasons and the pub in question should be challenged to explain the real reason for no longer offering glasses with handles.”
In the same month a press story reported that a nightclub, frequented by Prince Harry, had to undertake £1200 worth of repairs to the outside area following a health and safety officer’s visit.
The panel called this story a “real myth” as the local authority confirmed that they last visited this nightclub in 2011.
In October 2012 a bar refused to let a customer carry a tray of drinks because they had not been ‘health and safety trained’. The panel said the suggestion that special training is needed for a customer to use a tray to carry drinks/food is “patently ridiculous”.
While in another case in November 2013 a nightclub refused to hand out screw caps with bottled water purchased from bar stating health and safety as the reason.
The panel reported that there was no health and safety legislation preventing capped bottles of water being sold to customers in bars. It said: “The nightclub has advised that they developed this “house policy” in response to previous incidents involving capped bottles being thrown and trodden on.”
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