A collection of photographs of safety signs around the UK has been taken and compiled in a book called "Attention please" by The Manifesto Club, a London-based libertarian campaign group. The signs highlight a plethora of 'hazards' such as uneven beach surfaces, the potential of cemetery memorials to harm and the need to use escalators safely. A double-decker bus, it is claimed, displays 24 separate cautions. According to The Telegraph, the convenor of the Manifesto Club Josie Appleton said: "This collection of cones, safety tape and caution notices, which hang like Christmas decorations off the urban architecture, provides no useful information about hazards. Instead they are only an excuse to regulate public behaviour." Rather than effectively highlighting hazards, the safety signs are "swamping public space" and "ugly, patronising and bossy", says Appleton. Source: Telegraph, 2 July 2009. tinyurl.com/luo4he
Showing posts with label law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label law. Show all posts
10 July 2009
Public safety signs "ugly, patronising and bossy"
A collection of photographs of safety signs around the UK has been taken and compiled in a book called "Attention please" by The Manifesto Club, a London-based libertarian campaign group. The signs highlight a plethora of 'hazards' such as uneven beach surfaces, the potential of cemetery memorials to harm and the need to use escalators safely. A double-decker bus, it is claimed, displays 24 separate cautions. According to The Telegraph, the convenor of the Manifesto Club Josie Appleton said: "This collection of cones, safety tape and caution notices, which hang like Christmas decorations off the urban architecture, provides no useful information about hazards. Instead they are only an excuse to regulate public behaviour." Rather than effectively highlighting hazards, the safety signs are "swamping public space" and "ugly, patronising and bossy", says Appleton. Source: Telegraph, 2 July 2009. tinyurl.com/luo4he
08 July 2009
Science writer Dr Simon Singh appeals against chiropractic libel judgement
The Guardian reports on a legal case with significant implications for science journalism and claims made by healthcare practitioners. Dr Simon Singh, a leading science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), is taking his case to the Court of Appeal after a preliminary judgement went against him. In the original Guardian article, Singh criticised the BCA for claiming that its members could use spinal manipulation to treat children with colic, ear infections, asthma, sleeping and feeding conditions, and prolonged crying. Singh described the treatments as "bogus" and based on insufficient evidence, and criticised the BCA for "happily promoting" them. According to The Guardian, the BCA denied these criticisms and maintained that the efficacy of chiropractic treatments is well documented. At a preliminary hearing in May to decide the meaning of the article, Mr Justice Eady ruled that Singh's wording implied that the BCA was being consciously dishonest, an interpretation denied by Singh. Singh is appealing the ruling, and will take the case to the European courts if the appeal fails. The case has led to a campaign to raise awareness of English libel laws, which critics claim can stifle legitimate and open debate about scientific and health issues. A summary of articles on the issue is contained on Singh's Sense about Science website. Source: Guardian, 4 June 2009. tinyurl.com/op6och
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