'No insurance' - so street cleaner Craig cannot clear Heltson's icy pavements
A street cleaner has been banned from clearing pavements of treacherous ice – for health and safety reasons.
Craig Bowcutt, 42, uses a shovel and brush to make slippery pavements safer for pedestrians in his home town of Helston.
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Local Town Council worker Craig Bowcutt from Helston
This year he asked Cornwall Council, the highways authority, for a bag of grit and some proper equipment after watching an elderly woman slip and break her collarbone on an icy pavement.
But he was stunned when his request was turned down and the council banned him from carrying out the work because he is not insured.
Officials fear the authority could be sued if somebody slips and injures themselves on a pavement which had been "cleared" by Craig.
The father-of-one said: "Some areas of the town have got really bad and I would love to clear the pavements to make them safe.
''The snow has caused all sorts of problems and I have seen some injuries first- hand.
''I have tried doing it with just a shovel, but it obviously isn't very effective. We should be doing something about it."
Helston town councillor Keith Reynolds said: ''It is bonkers. It is health and safety gone mad but we have been advised this is the legal situation."
Craig has been employed by Helston Town Council as a street warden for four years.
His normal duties are litter picking and weeding, but during the winter he clears pavements and roads of ice and snow using just a shovel and brush.
He has continued in his efforts to clear pavements of potentially dangerous ice after watching a series of elderly shoppers struggle.
Mayor John Boase said the advice from Cornwall Council meant that if someone fell on untreated pavement it would be considered an unfortunate accident.
But if someone fell where a council employee had undertaken some work, the council could be liable.
A Cornwall Council spokesman said: ''In order to be covered by highways department insurance they would have had to carry out a full training programme and be fully equipped.
''We don't do precautionary salting on residential roads, pavements and footways as a matter of course. It would be impossible for the council workforce to clear all of these routes across Cornwall."
6 Comments
by gobsmaked, cornwall
Sunday, December 12 2010, 11:20AM
“David
I have read the report, which is yet another fine example of our media distorting the truth so they can get a good story
Difficult though it may be to understand, Im actually quite close to this situation and can clearly state that this NOT "elf and safety" but managers ignorance, inexperience and incompetence. How close are you? your front room maybe?
As for no qualifications you may wish to visit the IOSH website which quite clearly sets out standards for those involved in "elf and safety" or take a look at the HSE's recruitement page which again sets out rigourous standards.
You may also wish to read Lord Youngs report which quite clearly says that the reason why "Elf & Safety is in its current position is becouse of
A) Mis-representation by the media
B) Poor Managers making daft decisions
C) Insurance companies pushing silly claims
Perhaps if you got off your bottom and looked further than some local gossip column you may be able to make better informed comments, which by the is what I did.
Stories like this, if true, do deserve some ridicule but its best to make sure of your facts before commenting.I for one am fed up off ill informed tosh such as yours gracing these pages”
by David, St Austell
Saturday, December 11 2010, 5:12PM
“"A street cleaner has been banned from clearing pavements of treacherous ice ¿ for health and safety reasons"
Read the report gobsmacked and I stand by my statement as I know of Health and Safety officers with no qualifications whatsoever. It is people like these who make up their own rules to justify their position and make the whole concept of Health and Safety a laughing stock.”
by gobsmacked, cornwall
Saturday, December 11 2010, 10:39AM
“just to correct you all here
This case IS about insurance not elf and safety......and contrary what David thinks, if you did a bit of research you would see that H&S Officers DO need qualifications, they also have an ongoing CPD programme to maintain their knowledge, skills and experience.
You would also know, from a bit of research, that its untrained and inexperienced MANAGERS that make these decisions...not Elf & Safety Officers which, by the way, was identified in the report carried out by the government”
by Tim, Callington
Saturday, December 11 2010, 9:32AM
“We have at least two sets of bonkers legislation which I believe the government has vowed to repeal: Health & Safety and Human Rights. Get on with it Prime Minister!”
by TimV, Pz
Friday, December 10 2010, 3:18PM
“I agree David. And if insurance is the problem (which I very much doubt) get him insured.”
by David, St Austell
Friday, December 10 2010, 10:38AM
“Another classic of someone in the council trying to justify his/her job. There is nothing in the Health and Safety legislation stopping Craig from doing his job.
Just thought I'd mention that to be a Health and Safety officer requires no qualifications whatever. That is patently clear by some of the ludicrous decisions they come up with.”