SafetyProCotton wool culture Archives

02 Apr

2012

Spam and blocked callers. Act now to marginalise these parasites

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Nanny State No Comments

Why should we tolerate spam from our own countryfolk? And why should we answer the phone to blocked callers? What are they hiding? I realise this is not really anything to do with safety, but now and then, it’s healthy to get off the topic. Blocked callers: I used to feel happy when my mobile phone or office phone rang. Maybe it would be …

17 Jan

2011

Car chases by the cops – are they worth it? Well, yes actually

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Nanny State No Comments

After the last deaths from car chases, the Candor Trust spokesperson Rachael Ford appeared on TVNZ News. She wanted any measures taken by the cops, in the course of protecting our property and our safety, to “fit the crime”. Her manner is arrogant and there is an offhanded contempt about her. She fills me with the dread I only reserve for …

10 Feb

2010

Acceptable risk and church committees

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Managing Risk, Nanny State No Comments

Every year, my volunteer firefighter colleagues and I take part in the local santa parade. This isn’t your big city affair, just a 20 minute cruise down our local main street. Fire engine lights and sirens, a wave to the kiddies, hand out a few sweets and go home. Everyone loves it, the guys get a bit of recognition and the kids get tooth …

26 Apr

2009

Individual responsibility for safety

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Managing Risk, Nanny State No Comments

I can’t help but think that we are well overdue for a very long awaited re-adjustment in the way we deal with individual responsibility in society. For decades we have been moving inexorably down a path, initiated by Grey People, of subjugating everything “individual” in favour of the common good, the group, the community, the disadvantaged, …

26 Apr

2009

Risk. How about a little more in our lives?

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Managing Risk, Nanny State, What's New No Comments

More in the ongoing and entertaining developments in the UK health and safety arena. There is a refreshing campaign by safety authorities, politicians and the insurance industry. They want to stop “jobsworths” who give health and safety a bad name. Bureaucrats have been hiding behind “health and safety” to avoid personal responsibility …

26 Apr

2009

Top Gear – will it survive the grey people?

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Nanny State, Road Safety No Comments

Last week, Richard Hammond, otherwise known affectionately as “Hamster” by his co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May, crashed a jet car while performing a speed run for the top rating BBC programme “Top Gear”. There was a collective sucking in of breath from the safety vultures. It seems Richard will survive. All Top Gear …

26 Apr

2009

Balanced risks in society

Simon Lawrence Blogs, Grumpy, Managing Risk, What's New No Comments

The Fire Service is in a dangerous business. They walk into places when we are running out. It’s their job. Tempting, perhaps, to assume that accepting danger is part of the deal. But the Fire Service Commission has the same safety responsibilities to their employees as any other employer. They just can’t walk away when the going gets tough. …

Tag Archives: Cotton wool culture

Spam and blocked callers. Act now to marginalise these parasites

Car chases by the cops – are they worth it? Well, yes actually

Acceptable risk and church committees

Individual responsibility for safety

Risk. How about a little more in our lives?

Top Gear – will it survive the grey people?

Balanced risks in society