AS a health and safety professional, it really made my blood boil reading in the Gazette & Herald about some jobsworth in Wiltshire Council putting really stupid, yes, stupid, provisions in place so that the Lions were unable to hold their May Fair in the Market Place which, incidentally, they have held for the last 20 years with no major incidents.
Asking them to make provisions for a terrorist attack is really a step too far. The question is, has Wiltshire Council got an emergency plan in place for a terrorist attack? If they have, then all the Lions need do is dial 999 and the council’s ‘Emergency Plan’ should, if they have one, swing into action.
The Lions fair has always had a first aid tent, but asking them all to be first aid trained is utter nonsense. As for asking them to supply suntan lotion – well, what nonsense.
Attendees are not ‘at work’ so the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act do not apply (as it may with builders, groundsmen etc), and therefore the Lions do not have to make these provisions.
It would be interesting to ascertain if the council provides sun hats and sun cream to the many hundreds of their employees who work outdoors? Is there a terrorist attack plan in place for, say, the council offices, the Armistice Day parade, the many fairs and circuses that take place on The Green, schools, the International Street Fair? I think I have made my point.
Voluntary and community events are an important aspect of everyday life that help encourage people to play a more active part in society and it is infuriating if some petty official stops such activity with this rubbish.
LES WELLING
BSc (Hons) Occupational Safety, Health and the Environment (OSHE)
Sarum Drive
Devizes