Studies reveals most absurd health and safety rules

Social media followers were recently asked for their examples of the most ludicrous and unfair health and safety rules they have been subject to.

Dickies Workwear found about 61% of respondents to its request said that banning shorts even on very hot summer days was an unfair rule they had been forced to obey.

31% of respondents said that they had been banned from wearing short sleeved shirts. A lot of companies have a long sleeve safety policy for all workers but workers are mystified on how this protects their safety.

Washing hands after using the toilet is a sensible hygiene measure, but some workers say that they have been threatened by removal from the workplace if they failed to wash their hands. It is not clear how this can be monitored unless CCTV cameras are watching the toilets.

Most health and safety procedures protect workers health and safety and are essential for a safe working environment, especially in warehouses where there are many accident risks. There are sensible rules about manual handling, how to safely lift goods, how to minimise risks when pushing or pulling storage trolleys.

Sometimes health and safety rules become over strict, serve no apparent use and are seen as absurd or unfair by many workers, so explanations can help compliance . Many organisations that run warehouses introduce new safety procedures but do explain how and why these rules will protect workers. If workers know the reason for safety procedures, they are more likely to comply with them.

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