Your taxes at work, thank Health and Safety

[Blind_Io]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Health and safety purge of the park benches that are 3 inches too low
By GLEN OWEN - More by this author » Last updated at 20:42pm on 2nd June 2007

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Park benches across the country will have to be replaced at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds - because they are too low.

Under new health and safety laws, benches must be more than 17.75in high so the elderly and disabled can get off them easily.

The new rules came to light after Bramcote Crematorium in Nottinghamshire was told by officials from the local Broxtowe council to replace 40 memorial benches costing £400 each.

An inspector found that the benches were 14.75in high - 3in lower than the "allowed minimum" height and 5in lower than the "optimum" height.

The crematorium has also been ordered to pay a further £200,000 for lighting, because, under the same legislation, the new benches must be lit at night.

Kevin Browne, the crematorium's manager, said: "The inspector went around with a tape measure measuring everything for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

"Apparently, it means that the buttocks of infirm people are below the point at which they can easily return to a standing position, and 72 per cent of our visitors are elderly.

"But we also have to pay to put the new benches on an elevated slab, clear enough space at the side to give wheelchair access and make sure all the benches across our 18-acre site are properly lit.

"This will have staggering financial implications for us - about £200,000 - and we have to carry it out within two years.

"It is very difficult to strike a balance between our responsibility to the bereaved and the other obligations placed on us."

The order has led to the benches - many of which were paid for by bereaved families in memory of their loved ones - being removed.

Jayne Allen, whose husband Phillip died suddenly five years ago aged 48, paid £400 for a bench bearing a plaque with her husband's name.

She has now been told that, because of the new regulations, the bench is being returned to her and the plaque moved to a replacement bench.

"It is all very undignified and quite insulting,' said Mrs Allen. "I also think it shows little respect for the dead. I have told them I want my plaque returned on the bench.

"There's no way I want it stuck on a new bench alongside other plaques of people I don't know.

"I was furious when I first got the letter, but when I spoke to the officers at the crematorium I realised that the problem didn't come from them - it's the Government's health and safety laws."

A spokeswoman for the Disability Rights Commission, which oversees the operation of the law, said that it was down to individual councils to interpret the legislation.

She said in the Bramcote case, the precise bench measurements had been drawn up by the borough council.

"The legislation includes a provision which says that the costs of any changes to conform with the law must be taken into account, and must be reasonable,' she added.

"No one from Broxtowe Council was available for comment.

Last month, a bench in the village of East Prawle, Devon, became the focus of health and safety concerns.

Villagers using the bench - the only place where they could get a mobile signal for more than two miles - were told their plans for a replacement stone platform had had to be abandoned.

Parish councillors had applied for permission to build a £100 concrete plinth dubbed "phonehenge" - for residents to use instead.

But the scheme stalled after they were told health and safety laws meant safety railings, wheelchair access and a light for safe night-time use would also have to be provided.

[fbc]

My mind is boggled... yet sadly not suprised.

By why the hell do the benches need to be lit at night? I mean if you can't see, let alone 'safely operate' an unlit park bench at night you probably shouldn't be out after dark, or even out on your own...

[jetsetter]

Well, not my taxes...........

[watto]

Like jetsetter said, not my taxes, so I'm going to laugh

If it was my taxes though, I'd be questioning the sanity of the people who make the OH&S rules.

[Peter3hg]

It's just a fucking disgrace. This is the kind of thing that makes our country a big joke the world over.

[tigger]

Originally Posted by watto

Like jetsetter said, not my taxes, so I'm going to laugh

That makes three of us .

Originally Posted by Peter3hg

It's just a fucking disgrace. This is the kind of thing that makes our country a big joke the world over.

I couldn't agree more. All countries have stupid legislation, but Britain seems to have a lot; and they actually enforce it.