Outdoor pursuits including climbing, mountain walking and kayaking have been plagued by fears about liability for event organisers in the last few years, as compensation-culture creates a different kind of mountain for activity leaders to climb.
But it looks like events might be starting to turn in the right direction. There have been a few court cases recently where the court has ruled that adults who choose to take part in adventurous activities can’t sue supervisors like climbing wall staff if they end up injured.
And now, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has joined the debate by publishing a web page advising us not to ‘wrap children in cotton wool’.
Adventurous activities for children
Children’s health and safety has always been behind the worst litigation fears hanging over organisers of outdoor activities. For some reason, it seems to have become increasingly unacceptable for children to risk injury by going walking or climbing, but entirely acceptable for them to risk obesity-related diseases later in life by spending their time in the ‘safe’ environment in front of a TV set. Ask the powers that be how that one works.
But in one of a series of articles designed to do away with health and safety myths, the HSE writes:
”Health and safety law is often used as an excuse to stop children taking part in exciting activities, but well-managed risk is good for them. It engages their imagination, helps them learn and even teaches them to manage risks for themselves in the future. They won’t understand about risk if they’re wrapped in cotton wool. Risk itself won’t damage children, but ill-managed and overprotective actions could!"
And there’s even a lovely poster of children bouncing around on cotton wool, to help drive home the point:-)
More information
The HSE asks you to help pass on the message by forwarding their web page to a friend, which you can do here.
And here's an article from the BMC about outdoor pursuits, litigation, and why risk can be good for you.
Now then, time to find a beginner’s climbing course for the nephews … !
