Actually this is nothing that unusual in the UK – most of the companies I have worked for have similar rules due to the increased mindset of ‘sue first, ask questions later’. This is so that, for example, if you were to get electrocuted changing a lightbulb due to not turning off the light first, then immediately turn around and sue, they don’t have to prove this was due to your negligence in not turning off the light – they just have to prove you were aware of the health and safety rules. Most companies have mandatory health and safety training, which you have to sign paperwork to confirm you’ve undergone, so this is usually pretty easy.
However, it is a bit daft in how anal the BBC are in applying these rules – many other companies turn a blind eye to breaches like this, simply due to the fact the risk is so minor, and they’re protected from getting sued in the unlikely event you do get electrocuted, or injured in some way.
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Actually this is nothing that unusual in the UK – most of the companies I have worked for have similar rules due to the increased mindset of ‘sue first, ask questions later’. This is so that, for example, if you were to get electrocuted changing a lightbulb due to not turning off the light first, then immediately turn around and sue, they don’t have to prove this was due to your negligence in not turning off the light – they just have to prove you were aware of the health and safety rules. Most companies have mandatory health and safety training, which you have to sign paperwork to confirm you’ve undergone, so this is usually pretty easy.
However, it is a bit daft in how anal the BBC are in applying these rules – many other companies turn a blind eye to breaches like this, simply due to the fact the risk is so minor, and they’re protected from getting sued in the unlikely event you do get electrocuted, or injured in some way.