Health & Safety's Rabbit Hole

[commonpeople1]

I walk through Victoria Park every day. On my way home today, I got the shock of my life: a large white stripe had been painted by the border of the pond, from one edge to the other. And the following words were painted in large font by it, every 20 feet or so: Caution Water

I'm very glad Tower Hamlets Council decide to alert me of this otherwise it was very likely I'd walk straight into the pond.

In the coming weeks, I expect the following to appear:

Near trees - Caution Branches and Leaves Above
On the paths - Caution Fast Cyclists Runners Baby Carriers Dogs Drunks Litter
By the benches - Caution Don't Stand on Bench When Wet and also Caution Back May Hurt if Slept On
Hanging off the necks of all geese - Caution May Stare at You in Threatening Manner

Or the Council could just employ all the people struggling to find a job at the moment to meet people like myself as soon as we step outdoors and then follow us around issuing warnings for all aspects of life.

Comments

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

That's very cool M.! I look forward to finally meeting you after all these years. Should I look out for theatre tickets, or something like that?

[(Anonymous)]

Sure! Or something like that. I'm up for pretty much anything. Best would be Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, as I have work on Wednesday, Thursday and part of Tuesday. I was thinking of trying to get to a goth club sometime...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I'll ask around and find out what's going on then. There's always Slimelight on Saturdays though none of my friends like going there anymore (too many memories of their younger years). There are more interesting goth nights that happen in smaller clubs that might be fun attending.

[chris---scott.livejournal.com]

Yes I would imagine that if someone was so educated as to read this message then they would already grasp that ponds contain water.

This made me smile actually =)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

My thoughts exactly. Unless they wrote them for toddlers who are learning to read but still don't comprehend what "water" means.

Litigious Society meets The Morons

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

My cousin posted a photo on Facebook last week of a sign inside the lid of a washing machine in the laundry mat here in San Diego that read: "Check for children before operating."

Re: Litigious Society meets The Morons

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

microwaves: check for pets before operating.

[kevyn-kronycles.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is really pointless...of course, since I'm dating a lawyer, I guess it's to protect their arses in case anyone is dumb enough to go into the pond.

And, I have to admit, in London, those writings on the streets that tell you which way to look has saved my life on numerous occasions ;)

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

But that's different. Those look left/right dealies are important b/c it's not always immediately clear which direction streets run, unlike anywhere else I've lived, where it's pretty much impossible to have a five way intersection.

[millionreasons.livejournal.com]

Be thankful you're a man; if you were a woman, you wouldn't even be allowed into the park!

http://khalinche.livejournal.com/352627.html

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I saw that yesterday, via someone on Facebook. Unbelievable, yet not surprising.

[tonight-we-fly.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking now of painting one around my place of employment, with the slogan Caution, Work.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

If you have a spare minute, drop by my office afterwards.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

God, I hate H&S. So as not to appear lunatic obviously useful on-the-job H&S is necessary but England has gone bonkers with its overuse of regulations relating to it.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Hello you! I hope you made a safe journey home. xo

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

I did, it was fine if long (9 hours?) and my mom and I are sewing now.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

And how's Dolly? ;-)

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Dollly's poorly. She had random, severe diarrhea and lost 1/2 of her body weight. Poor thing, they don't know what happened to her. She's at Michael's house (ex-step dad) recuperating with the higher amount of attention he can give her.

Hans, on the other hand, is a sweet, blind, mangy boy that I am going to take video of and post on Youtube. You'll be the first to know when I do.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope she gets better soon!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Whoops, I said 1/2 but I meant 1/4. I hope she gets better, too!

[wink-martindale.livejournal.com]

Are wacky American-style lawsuits next?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Let's hope so, together with power suits and shoulder pads.