The Health and Safety Executive

[byronkincaid]

If Police and Fire Fighters are apparently now not allowed to rescue people who are drowning, how long will it be before they are not allowed to pull you out of a fire or stop someone mugging you in case they get hurt and the HSE decide to prosecute again.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/camilla_cavendish/article2540003.ece

[The_nun]

I totally understand what you are saying here, but this is the way that we are trained in jobs. Priority states that you are number one and under no circumstances should one place ones one life in danger whilst at work. I would jump in and help anyone in danger, that is my nature, but unfortunately whilst working do some see themselves in a different light?. If these people were not working and just out for a stroll would they have helped? I think they would, just like it is easy to speak up for others in situations where you would find it difficult to speak up for yourself. Are we governed by rules now, like some peeps are trained at work to administer first aid, but then in another breath are told do not apply it as the patient can sue if it goes tits up. Very strange world we are living in.

[Acidmouse]

So they are basically covering their own back so workers who get injured in the line of duty cannot sue them.

If say the community officers had jumped in and rescued the kid from the lake but hurt their back doing so, he could claim for damages, but not now if they outline never to try save someone in certain situations.