ACCEPTABLE RISK
We take risks in one form or another each day.
If we stay indoors, there is a risk (however small), of an earthquake demolishing the building and crush us in the process.
If we go outside, a passing bird may crap on us, or we may be hit by something else falling from the sky.
There is a risk in both, and we make a choice.
There is I believe there is acceptable risk, but has society, or those controlling authority, gone overboard. Sadly I think this is happening.
It would appear we have become a paranoid society with over regulation to the point that it is almost impossible to carry what was once normal activities.
As a child, I was allowed to move freely in the neighborhood without a hat and sunscreen (sensible people only donned these if planned long exposure to the sun). There was no fear of being abducted, molested. We were taught road safety, and the neighborhood kept a tacit watch. We were generally allowed freedom and trusted to act responsibly. If a child was hurt, adults in the area responded, often comforting the child. Today an adult would be wary of tending to a child for fear of being accused of inappropriate behavior.
Playgrounds had fun equipment such as log swings, roundabouts, chain swings, monkey- bars, see- saws, jungle gyms, slippery dips etc. All were used without supervision or padded landings. If you came a cropper and lost some bark, it was a learning experience. Children were expected to come a cropper at some point, but it was part of the development of life. An Acceptable risk.
Cracker night was eagerly looked forward to. I somehow suspect the removal of this outlet has given rise vandalism. Sure some got injured on cracker night, but again it was a learning experience and deemed by most as an acceptable risk.
Changing a light bulb in some instances has gone from a simple task of a single person climbing up a ladder and replacing the globe, to requiring scaffolding to be erected and a ‘qualified’ tradesperson or more in attendance. It is an expensive and time consuming exercise catering for the worst possible scenario. For ages people have learnt to be cautious, but accept perceived levels of risk.
Regardless of intent, there will still be idiots, but do we all have to be treated as idiots!
As an aside, an ex police officer once said that a one man patrol was almost impossible, as the weight of a bullet proof vest carried in the boot at that time was greater than that allowed to be lifted by one person under OH&S guidelines!