Back in September I wrote about the health and safety culture that is creeping into Scouting (well all aspects of everyday life really) and how it is being taken to the extremes. The main problem being the ‘where there’s blame there’s a claim’ type culture.
After watching the film of the Chief Scout’s visit to Kibblestone in 1963, I did have a little go at the campsite for removing some of the ‘dangerous’ activities on the site (rope swings and the swimming pool). I’d then sent an email to a couple of people in the District to let them know about this interesting film and I did have a little moan about the fact the campsite is getting too safety conscious for its own good and somewhat boring. In fact, I can’t remember when our Scouts last camped there – and this is ‘our’ site!
One of the people I emailed, replied to me –
I know – but whereas in the past had there been an accident on a rope swing, I suspect nobody would say anything, now somebody would say “But your Health and Safety check reported it as a potential hazard and you did nothing, therefore all insurance is invalid and Kibblestone will face financial ruin and be closed down”. A very sad statement about the World we live in but they had to react to that one and not some ideal!!
I was there when the discussion took place – heard all the arguments but in the end the rope swings had to go!!
Thanks no win no fee lawyers.
The other thing that came to my attention was the case of a man who sued the Scout Association as he sustained an injury to his shoulder in 2001 while playing a game in the dark. To be fair the report says that –
An MRI scan in 2007 disclosed a “permanent impaction injury”, which meant he would always suffer pain when the shoulder was under stress.
However, he can still happily play rugby!
It wasn’t a particularly dangerous game or badly run as the Scout Association didn’t leave the Group in question to fend for themselves!
So thanks again no win no fee lawyers.
As I said before, I am very much in favour of being safe, but not to the point that there is no adventure. It’s right to be safe and prepared, but in the end, it’s gone too far.
Claim culture is is widespread in Northern Ireland where I live and has been for years. Legislation prevents “no win, no fee” lawyers from operating here yet the claim culture has grown with the sense of entitlement.
Most claim cases are not heard before a jury here and the claims precedents have been set by judges who travel to and from court in armoured police cars, insulated from the real world.
Lawyers only breed where they are allowed to!
To be honest I find the health and safety issue in scouting has gone way over board. I used to run a pack near by my parents when I still lived with them and there was the district campsite right next to our scout hut, so we often used the field and facilities. Last year I went back after about 6 years, to find the assault course gone, reason given for it going was that the risk of injury was deemed it might be too risky. Not one person agreed with this, apart from the one county bod who wanted it taken apart. Not once in the 10+ years had there been an injury recorded on the course, but the other thing was I remember as a group we help raise funds for the course to be built. This was an activity the YP’s really wanted and loved.
I could mention a few more things that are just riduculous. But what I have found is that ‘Health and Safety’ is actually driving leaders out of scouting because of overly sensitive or over zealous enforcement of H&S. Two friends who were long standing leaders gave up because it became too much hassle, with tons of experience and qualitifications in a number of adventure activities. Being told they can no longer do safe activities that have gone on for years, unless needless extra equipment, extra forms and training was done. At a awful lot of expense. And yet their qualifications from the outside organisations made them far more qualified than needed to run scouting events.