Hanging baskets face health and safety ban

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/lo ... ty_ban.php

A TENANT faces a ban on putting up hanging baskets outside her flat - because of "health and safety" fears.

Housing chiefs told stunned Sharon Kerrigan the six baskets on her ground-floor flat posed a "potential risk" to safety.

And the 43-year-old could also be told to move plant pots from the communal area at Fredericks Court, King's Road, Beaconsfield.


Asthma sufferer Sharon told the Bucks Free Press the move was "over the top" - and said it left her in tears as her plants were her "little enjoyment".

She said: "I think it's stupid. They're not a risk - they have been there since I moved in 2000.

"The hooks were there when I moved in so there has not been a problem till now. It is totally over the top."

Mrs Kerrigan said she had been told by Paradigm Housing that residents could trip over the pots and tubs in the communal area, for example during a fire evacuation.

This was "nonsense" she said - and "anyone with any common sense" would not get hurt.

"In the eight years I have been here no-one has hurt themselves on one of my baskets" she said.

A tearful Mrs Kerrigan said: "I have chronic asthma so I can't work so it is my little enjoyment.

"Now that has been taken away from me."

Geoff Gigg, Paradigm regional manager for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, said: "Following a recent site inspection it was felt that Mrs Kerrigan was using the communal areas in a way that could present Paradigm Housing Group with a number of health and safety issues.

"We have advised her that a further inspection will be carried out shortly with our health and safety manager and if it is felt that there is a potential risk she may well be asked to remove some of her personal items."

This included hanging baskets, he said.

Councillor Geoff Grover, one of two members for West Beaconsfield on South Bucks Council, said: "I wouldn't have thought it presented too much of a safety risk."

Yet the retired process development chemist said he had carried out risk assessments - and knew how this was a pressing issues for organisations.

He said: "If a postman hit a hanging basket and fell over and hit his head and had a brain haemorrhage and died then Paradigm would be responsible.

"You can understand them then saying we knew about this lady's baskets but turned a blind eye'.

[andy2007]

Just another lot of Jobsworths, spoiling things for people. I am very keen on Health and Safety. In fact, I've been accused of being obsessive about it in the past. But this is just stupid.

If some of the pots on the floor are obstructing an escape route, then they need to be moved. Otherwise, give her a break!

[Thorby Bislam]

I've banged my head on low-hanging baskets before but I wouldn't call for them to be taken down. Just re-positioned. I guess Paradigm housing are more concerned with being sued than they are with a postie's welfare.

[BELIAL]

I got clouted by a two foot cast iron dolphin door knocker that appeared overnight,I think they did it on porpoise

[solcat]

I've nutted a few of these in my time, but after a couple of times you remember where they are

[rhino49]

Given some of the above experiences - there might be a good case for wearing cycle helmets whilst off the bike rather than on it. Some winters ago I was on a walk I was not familiar with and turned from the door straight into a hanging basket that had been saturated and then frozen solid - now that DID hurt.

[POSTMAN]

Hanging baskets are ok,you can bloody see them!!!!
It's the sticking out brackets with nothing on that get me every time!!

[rhino49]

Hanging baskets are ok,you can bloody see them!!!!
It's the sticking out brackets with nothing on that get me every time!!

I had a woman like that answer the door to me once - nearly dropped the p739 sheet

[BELIAL]

Hanging baskets are ok,you can bloody see them!!!!
It's the sticking out brackets with nothing on that get me every time!!

I had a woman like that answer the door to me once - nearly dropped the p739 sheet

In your dreams

[baldrick]

And mine !

[BELIAL]

And mine !