Even though it looks like summer is finally on its way and temperatures are starting to rise, we still have to remain safe and seen at work, but we want to be able to wear a little less. So why not combine the two and check out the latest hi-vis t-shirts we have in stock and stay a little cooler while satisfying the ever present heath and safety. However it should be pointed out that while health and safety is necessary there are times when it has appeared to get a little out of hand and here four of the latest cases that have come up before the HSE Panel, along with the decision given by the Panel. I have not made these up, they are all real cases that have been before the panel in the last three months.

1. A shopkeeper has been forced to remove signs pointing to his store by the local council due to health and safety regulations.

The Panel’s decision was that this is not a health and safety issue and is really about local planning laws and how Councils interpret their responsibilities under them. The shopkeeper appears to have been given an array of different reasons why he can’t have his signs including a suggestion that they are "dangerous". The panel is pleased to see that the Council is now making it clear that this is not a health and safety matter but better communication from the outset would also have helped.

2. The enquirer was looking for work experience for her daughter and asked at a local fabric store. She was told they could not employ work experience students "due to health and safety as there are scissors around". Their insurers will not cover them.

There is no reason at all why a young person could not take up a work experience placement in an environment simply because scissors are present. Insurers have confirmed that Employers’ liability insurance policies already cover work placements without the need for any additional cover. HSEs guidance explains how to ensure that work experience can take place and that any checks are proportionate to the environment: It is unclear whether the local fabric warehouse are misinformed or were simply using health and safety as an easy excuse for not offering a placement

3. The enquirer was having a cup of tea in a café and was told he could not have a second cup poured into the same cup - instead it would have to be supplied in a new clean one.

This is not a health and safety matter and there is no legislation which would prevent the customer being served a second cup of tea in the same mug. The café may have other reasons for its policy, but the panel applauds the person who raised this example of excessive risk aversion and his well meaning attempt to save on their washing up!

4. Enquirer attended a leisure centre with her 3 year old and 11 month old (who was sleeping in a portable car seat) to enable her 3 year old to partake in an activity session. The enquirer was stopped from bringing the 11 month old into the event for "health and safety" reasons. The leisure centre had completed a risk assessment that was only done for 1-5 year olds and therefore under 1’s could not be in that room due to them being a trip hazard. They ended up having to leave and get their money back (along with two other mums for the same reason).

Although the centre does need to consider the safety of children participating a fun event, they appear to have extended their assessment to include those who are merely watching under their parents’ supervision. If they have real concerns about the presence of a sleeping baby - either because of lack of space, or causing an obstruction - they should make this clear. It is entirely predictable that parents bringing 1-5 year olds to such an event would be likely to bring even younger siblings along so it is difficult to understand why this was not considered in advance and a means found to accommodate them. At best this is a case of poor communication, and at worst it is simply using health and safety as an excuse. The leisure centre management should have offered a better solution than this.

It just goes to show that ‘health and safety’ is often used as an excuse not to do something. People should be more honest with themselves and use a little bit of that rare commodity today, ‘common sense’.