The Daily Mail continues to streak ahead in the race for the Bonkers Conker title, while The Times and Sunday Times extended their lead in the Bonzer Conker table.
This month’s Bonkers and Bonzer Conker story of the month relates to the latest episode in the tale of poor Barney Baloney. The hapless clown, having previously been banned from using his bubble machine, saw another part of his act — making balloon animals — banned by the supermarket Tesco because it feared youngsters could suffer latex allergies.
The story was widely reported, and was aired on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4. But IOSH hit back the next day, with president-elect Ray Hurst offering a defence of the profession.
He said: “I don’t know where this advice has come from. If it’s from a professional health and safety advisor, a member of our Institution, I’d be very surprised and disappointed. Some of the decisions are made by local managers, where they use health and safety as an excuse for something they don’t know about, or understand, or don’t particularly want to do.
“I think if the people who took the decision had spoken to the health and safety advisors who work for Tesco they’d have got a completely different outcome.”
If you spot any crazy, or sensible, media reports on health and safety, e-mail details to [email protected]
Bonkers Conker Table (since 1 June 2007 to 31 August 2007)
Position Title No. of Bonkers Conkers
1 Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday 8
2 Daily Telegraph 4
3 The Times/Sunday Times 4
Bonzer Conker Table (since 1 June to 31 August 2007)
Position Title No. of Bonzer Conkers
1 The Times/Sunday Times 5
2 Daily Telegraph 3
3 The Guardian/Radio 4 Today 2
