The HSE has pre-empted the possibility that ‘jobsworths’ could cite health and safety as an excuse for banning community celebrations for the forthcoming marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton.In an attempt to bust the myth that health and safety gets in the way of communities holding street parties and other celebratory events to mark the wedding on 29 April, the Executive has published new information on its website that sets the record straight.It has also resurrected its Myth of the Month campaign, which hits back at some of the ridiculous decisions that are wrongly blamed on health and safety, with a tongue-in-cheek cartoon lampooning those who would stand in the way of communities celebrating together.Backing the HSE’s efforts, minister for health and safety, Chris Grayling, said: “The Royal Wedding will be a great national occasion, and I want to reassure everyone that they can have street parties with friends and family and bring out the bunting to celebrate in time-honoured British tradition.“There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to ban these celebrations on the grounds of health and safety. We are restoring common sense to our health and safety system, ensuring it is there to protect people at work, not penalise people at leisure.”HSE chair Judith Hackitt added: “The Royal Wedding will be one of the highlights of the year for many people and we want to pre-empt the ‘fun sponges’ who will try to use health and safety as an excuse to hide behind.“Volunteers should feel confident to organise celebrations, taking simple measures based on common sense without having to worry about obligations under health and safety law at all. I want to encourage people to challenge those who tell you something can’t be done for health and safety reasons – it’s too easy an excuse to trot out.”The Royal Wedding webpage can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/news/royal-wedding/index.htmHSE doesn’t want ‘fun sponges’ to ban celebrations of the Royal wedding
