Is Health and Safety paramount?

**Churchill** · 30 March 2009, 12:45

Originally posted by expat View Post

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/s...re/7971246.stm

Police have been criticised by neighbours for preventing them from attempting a rescue before the Fire Brigade arrived, for their own safety. Not advising against, but preventing by force.

Do the police have any right to prevent someone trying something brave but dangerous? If so, from where comes this right?

Not seen any mention of this from your linky...

**TheBigD** · 30 March 2009, 12:46

If I was a fireman, I'd rather be entering a burning building looking for 3 people, rather than 3 people plus a couple of other's who'd entered the house on a rescue mission.

I'm not sure if I think they have a right to stop people entering the building, but I think they have a responsability to make the scene as safe as possible for the emergency services, which would mean keeping the number of people at risk to a minimum.

**expat** · 30 March 2009, 12:53

Originally posted by Churchill View Post

Not seen any mention of this from your linky...

No, that's on the discussion on Jeremy Vine.

**expat** · 30 March 2009, 12:54

Originally posted by TheBigD View Post

If I was a fireman, I'd rather be entering a burning building looking for 3 people, rather than 3 people plus a couple of other's who'd entered the house on a rescue mission.

I'm not sure if I think they have a right to stop people entering the building, but I think they have a responsability to make the scene as safe as possible for the emergency services, which would mean keeping the number of people at risk to a minimum.

I understand why they would want to do so. My question is whether they have a right to stop people.

**gingerjedi** · 30 March 2009, 12:59

There was a fireman on the radio a few weeks ago and he was emphasising the importance of having a plan should there be a fire in your home, he said it was a good idea to get the kids involved and even let them decide the best plan of action if it were appropriate as kids tend to hide in wardrobes or under beds etc if they don’t know what to do.

**TykeMerc** · 30 March 2009, 13:02

Originally posted by gingerjedi View Post

There was a fireman on the radio a few weeks ago and he was emphasising the importance of having a plan should there be a fire in your home, he said it was a good idea to get the kids involved and even let them decide the best plan of action if it were appropriate as kids tend to hide in wardrobes or under beds etc if they don’t know what to do.

I attended one of my old clientco's SHE sessions which was run by a Fireman, he discussed fire evac plans at home, it made perfect sense and I implemented his suggestions.
That's reminded me I need a new battery for my smoke alarm.

**Moscow Mule** · 30 March 2009, 13:03

Originally posted by gingerjedi View Post

There was a fireman on the radio a few weeks ago and he was emphasising the importance of having a plan should there be a fire in your home, he said it was a good idea to get the kids involved and even let them decide the best plan of action if it were appropriate as kids tend to hide in wardrobes or under beds etc if they don’t know what to do.

Everybody in my family knew how to get down from a first floor window with as few injuries as possible. I remember being taught this from an early age.

**thelace** · 30 March 2009, 14:10

I'm sure that the police are tasked with saving people even if it is from themselves!

Like talking down potential suiciders, etc.

**expat** · 30 March 2009, 14:19

Originally posted by thelace View Post

I'm sure that the police are tasked with saving people even if it is from themselves!

Like talking down potential suiciders, etc.

My question remains, because nobody has attempted to answer it: do the police have a right to prevent people doing something dangerous? They may be tasked with saving people, they may have a duty to try, etc, but do they have a right to prevent people doing something they assess as dangerous by force?

TBH I am disappointed that seemingly no-one even understands the question. It is no wonder that liberty is withering in this country.

Is Health and Safety paramount?