After a brush with health and safety yesterday which frankly was pathetic... it got me thinking about the overkill of it all, the wrapped in cotton wool effect.. To think what we as kids used to do, be able to do, without retrepution ect it’s like it’s a different world these days.. to me it’s more like paranoia, I guess much of it is the “ you have a claim?” Culture.. Very sad.. mind you they seem to be able to change the rules when it suits.. Take the 2012 olympics for instance... how did we ever get to host them? and how, did health and safety let these requests get through.. H&S officer.. “So, your telling me you want for people to be able to run whilst holding a large sharp pointy metal pole over their shoulder and then for them to through it towards umpires in a field holding tape measures? What with no safety boots or hard hats! “ ? And ... “ You want for us to allow for people to run down a track with a 20 foot scaffold pole over their shoulder aiming to propel theirselves over a bar that’s balancing on a tiny ledge.. How did we ever manage to hold such a dangerous event as the olympics ? I can also remember seeing Barry Sheene, smoking “ a fag” beside fuel cans in the pits! And even sitting on his bike with one.... Different days I guess but being issued a warning for having a hat on back to front ... ! ? The worlds gone nuts.. x
It's essentially about claims. Yes its officious, but in todays litigious environment it's hardly surprising. In the early 80's, when I was in demolition, we'd bring down chimneys in places where space is tight, brick by brick. I'd essentially be standing on top with a mattock going round in a spiral. No harness, nothing. I'd also be hung from a jib with burning gear cutting down steelwork. The only H&S was common sense. Always keep your feet clear. As for when I was a scaffolder, well dropping 21ft poles down to each other would see an H&S have fits. Nowadays they let idiots on site and thats why we have H&S.
Barry was probably standing next to a certain Mr Hunt, drinking something alcoholic and likely both had their arms around some friendly girls
Mr sheene, not the polish, used to have a hole drilled in the chin bar of his helmet do he could have a fag on the grid, just see that happening today. Lol
You're not thinking enough like a H&S officer, dispatched to risk assess an Olympic event. Let me help. Those long jumpers & hop, skip and jumpers must wear protective goggle in case they get sand in their eyes. Hurdles must be lowered to a safe 10" step height. Relay? Sorry, it's unsafe to reach rearwards for an object while running forwards. Participants are required to come to a full halt, face each other and pass the baton. The baton must be placed in the interlocked safety carrier in the participant's back pack. You can't run with a baton you see. Unsafe. Marathon? 2 hours without a break is unnaceptable. All participants are required to take a mandatory 15min rest break at the 1 hour point of the race. While we're on it. All running is unsafe. All running events to be banned or substituted for walking. Just look at this list of sports, a H&S officer's dream. Shooting, Archery, Equestrian, Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Fencing, Diving, Judo, Hockey, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Swimming, Trampoline, Gymnastics. And that's just the summer games. Imagine their fervour at a winter Olympics.
Ha skiing with a rifle! And you wish to jump off that ramp with no harness? Makes me admire the likes of Mr Fiennes all the more.. when asked about the loss of his frost bitten fingers he said.. “ the buggers were just getting in the dam way all the time so I went to my shed and lopped them off with a hacksaw” Awesome guy, it’s people like him that makes Britain great.. x
Thats nothing! Try single handed sailing in the southern ocean with mandatory icebergs/ gales. Pete Goss operated on his right arm, with some instruction via radio. Then rescued Raphael Dinelli who was tied to the keel of his upturned/ capsized yacht. This all happened during the Vendee Globe '96/7. Goss finished the race as the fastest Brit solo around the world in 126 days whilst nursing Dinelli back to health. Amazing
Oh yes I remember that now, brave soles especially with that southern locean. Mind you having said that I remember having a bath once where the water got so choppy that my Rosie and Jim sadly drowned after their narrow boat capsized.. I’m still devastated by that even now! Some 3 weeks later.. x
