Risk education should be child's play

摘要

IOSH has welcomed a call for a more balanced approach to play, to help children learn about risk and prepare them for life. A joint statement from the Health and Safety Executive and the Play Safety Forum (PSF) announced a new approach to help teachers and other play providers have the confidence to offer youngsters challenging activities, without fear of health and safety law and bureaucracy. In the announcement, the two organisations stated: 1. Play is important for children's well-being and development; 2. Risks shouldn't be eliminated when planning and providing play -they should be weighed up with the benefits; 3. Organisers should focus not on the paperwork but on controlling the real risks and increasing and securing the benefits; and 4. Fear of the law and legal action has been blown out of proportion -accident and mistakes will happen during play.