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We’ve all seen an instance of health and safety gone mad. Whether it’s over-the-top safety guidance or using "health and safety" as an excuse for other concerns, sometimes it just goes too far! Health and safety rules are there to keep us safe, but sometimes people go over the top when it comes to interpreting the guidance.

In this project, Vibrant Doors researched some of the biggest health and safety myths. Using real HSE case data, the team created 8 myth-busting graphics to show off where health and safety concerns have got out of hand! In the well-meaning but comical style of vintage government advisory leaflets, the graphic illustrations bring to life the apparent concerns behind bizarre health and safety claims. From security fences around small ponds to only allowing qualified electricians to change a lightbulb, you can see the myths busted in the graphics below.

More info: vibrantdoors.co.uk | Facebook | twitter.com

#1

In A Bizarre Misinterpretation, A Housing Association Removed Fire Extinguishers, Wall Signs, And Front Door Mats From A Block Of Flats For ‘Health And Safety Reasons’

In A Bizarre Misinterpretation, A Housing Association Removed Fire Extinguishers, Wall Signs, And Front Door Mats From A Block Of Flats For ‘Health And Safety Reasons’

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nategeastman avatar
"Simo Häyhä"
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Fire extinguishers will burn your house down!" Sorry, what??!

zselyke_szekely avatar
Nomadus Aureus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is extremely unlikely, however, if there is any damage to the cylinder or the safety valves, a fire extinguisher can explode.

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emmajgarv avatar
Niffler_13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would they think the FIRE EXTINGUISHER is a safety risk???

gintarecer avatar
Gin. No tonic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are heavy and may fall. Or people could trip over them if they're placed on the floor. I mean, there's people who need safety instructions to not microwave a cat, so...

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lillianbarber avatar
Lee The Thespian
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man, if there was only SOMETHING that could put out that fire. Hmmm

kaching12 avatar
zselyke_szekely avatar
Nomadus Aureus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they aren't made of natural fibres, they are toxic. Also as they are highly flammable, you are basically putting a bunch of mini campfires in front of every door in a closed hallway.

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johnc_1 avatar
John C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhhh.. it's titled "Health and Safety Myths" and at the bottom it says "Myth Busted" - I think these posters are being grossly misinterpreted.

thatlaurafitzgerald avatar
Happiness is Hippo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Read the paragraph at the start of the article, these posters were created in response to actual cases of Health & Safety stupidity.

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#2

A Property Management Company Once Told Their Odd-Job Man He Could No Longer Change Lightbulbs As 'Health And Safety' Required This To Be Done By A Qualified Electrician

A Property Management Company Once Told Their Odd-Job Man He Could No Longer Change Lightbulbs As 'Health And Safety' Required This To Be Done By A Qualified Electrician

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the Netherlands it's officially illegal to install a wall socket when you're not a certified electrician. But you can use as much powerstrips as you want on one wall socket. You could even make a chain of 20 of these things, if you'd like.

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#3

A Housing Company Once Told Residents In A Block Of Flats That Pictures & Ornaments Weren’t Allowed Due To 'Health And Safety' As They Risked Falling And Hitting Someone

A Housing Company Once Told Residents In A Block Of Flats That Pictures & Ornaments Weren’t Allowed Due To 'Health And Safety' As They Risked Falling And Hitting Someone

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klrenk avatar
Why?
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Knick-knacks probably not. London Bridge a definite possibility.

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#4

In 2004, A Town Removed Hanging Baskets From Lamp Posts Over Safety Fears That The Old Lamp Posts Would Collapse. The Floral Baskets Have Since Been Reinstated

In 2004, A Town Removed Hanging Baskets From Lamp Posts Over Safety Fears That The Old Lamp Posts Would Collapse. The Floral Baskets Have Since Been Reinstated

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#5

A Housing Association Once Informed Tenants In A Block Of Flats They Should Seal Their Letterboxes In Case Of A Firebomb Attack, Despite No Cause To Suspect Arson

A Housing Association Once Informed Tenants In A Block Of Flats They Should Seal Their Letterboxes In Case Of A Firebomb Attack, Despite No Cause To Suspect Arson

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nategeastman avatar
"Simo Häyhä"
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ah yes, the building is on fire but if we just close the letter box we'll be fine, right, r-right?"

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#6

One Council Attempted To Ban People From Clearing Their Own Driveways From Snow And Ice, Citing It Could Be A 'Health And Safety Hazard'

One Council Attempted To Ban People From Clearing Their Own Driveways From Snow And Ice, Citing It Could Be A 'Health And Safety Hazard'

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ericahales avatar
ZooMom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, if they are willing to do it themselves before I have to go to work I may be amenable

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#7

A Satellite Dish Company Once Claimed Their Engineers Were Unable To Work After 5 Pm As It Would Be Unsafe And Could Contravene Health And Safety - There Are No Such Rules!

A Satellite Dish Company Once Claimed Their Engineers Were Unable To Work After 5 Pm As It Would Be Unsafe And Could Contravene Health And Safety - There Are No Such Rules!

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Andrew Gibb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't want to be up a ladder in the dark or be rushing to finish my 8 hour plus day. Sounds sensible to me

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#8

A Property Management Company Decided A Small Pond Now Needed A Fence Around It For ‘Health And Safety Reasons’, Despite Having Caused No Problems For 25 Years Already

A Property Management Company Decided A Small Pond Now Needed A Fence Around It For ‘Health And Safety Reasons’, Despite Having Caused No Problems For 25 Years Already

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ericahales avatar
ZooMom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one I’m on the fence with (no pun intended). I have no idea what the size of this pond is but small children or incapacitated people can drown in just inches of water. Not sure it falls under the category “it hasn’t happened yet”. People drown in unexpected places all the time. Not worth the gamble to me.

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