Don’t always blame ‘Health & Safety’

I would like to reassure your readers the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) played no part in the decision to cancel the Padiham FC football match against Burscough on Saturday, January 18th (cancelled without need, Burnley Express, January 28th).

Health and safety legislation exists to protect people from real risks at, or connected with, work but can sometimes wrongly be used as an excuse for not doing something or banning something.

One person lost their life and more than 500 suffered a major injury while at work in Lancashire last year. We spend our time helping to improve workplace safety to prevent needless deaths – not banning football matches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I would encourage your readers to challenge bizarre decisions made in the name of health and safety or to contact our Myth Busters Challenge Panel by visiting our website – www.hse.gov.uk/myth.

John McGrellis

HSE Principal Inspector, Lancashire