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Finally, some common sense

finally, some common sense

19 October 2010

Lord Young’s review of the operation of health and safety laws and the growth of the compensation culture contains recommendations that should cause schools to breathe a sigh of relief.

Lord Young notes there has been an overzealous approach towards health and safety decreasing the number of educational opportunities for children such as participating in competitive sports and school trip. The threat of legal action should an accident happen has rippled through schools.

Lord Young’s recommendations include a single consent form covering all activities a child undertakes while at school, simplified risk assessments for the classroom, a simplified process for children going on school trips and a shift from a system of risk-assessment to risk-benefit. The changes have been endorsed by the government and many are set to be implemented in January 2011. Finally, it seems common sense is making a comeback.

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