Euro Madness

iadom · 23-07-2003, 10:31

I suppose this should be in lifestyle, but it is so *****y ridiculous.

from todays Telegraph.

Trapeze artists with one of the world's most famous circuses have been told to start wearing hard hats to comply with new EU safety rules.

Jugglers, tightrope walkers and other acrobats with the Moscow State Circus, which is currently touring Britain, have also been instructed to don safety head wear because of European regulations covering workers employed at heights greater than the average stepladder.

The circus's insurers have warned the performers that they now risk losing their cover if they are injured in the course of their work without the protection of safety hats.

"It is bureaucracy gone mad, with a lot of help from the current compensation culture," said Paul Archer, general manager of the circus.

'Our insurance premiums have rocketed in recent years and our insurers are always looking at ways to limit liability. This is just another, barmy step in that process."

At a circus meeting yesterday afternoon, the performers decided that they would go ahead without the benefits of "Bob the Builder" headgear for their performances last night in Folkestone, Kent.

"We have informed the insurers that we will wear hats when erecting the circus or during rehearsals," said John Haze, a spokesman for the 86-year-old circus. "But it is ridiculous to suggest that the performers actually wear them during shows."

Goussein Khamdouleav, 48, who performs somersaults - without a safety net - as part of the highest indoor tightrope act in Europe, scoffed at the idea that a safety hat would be much use to him if he fell 45ft to the ring below.

He once fell 25ft during a performance in Rio de Janeiro, breaking both arms and three of his ribs. "A hard hat wouldn't have helped me then, and it won't help me now," he said. "Working in the circus, you get injured all the time. But you just have to get over it."

Mr Archer added: "The hats could be more of a liability than anything else. They could slip over the artists' eyes or throw the performers off balance.

"This is just another loony law from Brussels and we are the only country stupid enough to pay any attention."

The insurers, a consortium of seven companies providing cover for the circus during the remaining four months of its British tour, warned about the necessity for safety helmets in a faxed advisory notice on Monday.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said the issue of circus safety had "no set guidelines".

TigaSefi · 23-07-2003, 10:57

Seriously, just how many of the other "European" countries take notices of Brussels Sprout laws like this ? It ridiculous. I think we only take notcies cos it lines the lawyers/insurers pocket with a filthy amount of money.

**Chris** · 23-07-2003, 11:37

While the rest of Europe picks and chooses which of the loony laws they will adhere to and which they will ignore (remember the French refusal to obey Euro-instructions to lift bans on our beef) bloody-minded Brits beat themselves over the head with every daft directive to emerge from that Brussels madhouse.

I normally cherish our national sense of fair play and obeying the rules, but when it comes to Europe, we just make rods for our own backs.

Stuff the lot of them. If anyone ever doubted we're better off out of it, surely this story (and dozens more like it) is proof enough?

Jerrek · 23-07-2003, 13:17

Well, think about it this way... We have our own French to deal with... And one of them is our Prime Minister....

I just thought it was funny when Brussels decided to regulate the curvature of bananas...

Jules · 23-07-2003, 13:19

They should make a comedy show "doing it the Brussels way" Rotflmao

kronas · 23-07-2003, 14:10

typical BS from europe and blair wants us to join

Stuart W · 23-07-2003, 14:12

could someone please point out the "Pro's" of joining europe to me please??

So far, I have only seen the daftest set of laws ever writen and financial suicide.

Jerrek · 23-07-2003, 14:25

Err... You get that feeling of "unity" with the French? Like, we belong!!! Finally! We BELONG!!!!!!!!

Stephen Robb · 25-07-2003, 12:28

Quote:

Originally posted by iadom
I suppose this should be in lifestyle, but it is so *****y ridiculous.

from todays Telegraph.

Trapeze artists with one of the world's most famous circuses have been told to start wearing hard hats to comply with new EU safety rules.

Jugglers, tightrope walkers and other acrobats with the Moscow State Circus, which is currently touring Britain, have also been instructed to don safety head wear because of European regulations covering workers employed at heights greater than the average stepladder.

The circus's insurers have warned the performers that they now risk losing their cover if they are injured in the course of their work without the protection of safety hats.

"It is bureaucracy gone mad, with a lot of help from the current compensation culture," said Paul Archer, general manager of the circus.

'Our insurance premiums have rocketed in recent years and our insurers are always looking at ways to limit liability. This is just another, barmy step in that process."

At a circus meeting yesterday afternoon, the performers decided that they would go ahead without the benefits of "Bob the Builder" headgear for their performances last night in Folkestone, Kent.

"We have informed the insurers that we will wear hats when erecting the circus or during rehearsals," said John Haze, a spokesman for the 86-year-old circus. "But it is ridiculous to suggest that the performers actually wear them during shows."

Goussein Khamdouleav, 48, who performs somersaults - without a safety net - as part of the highest indoor tightrope act in Europe, scoffed at the idea that a safety hat would be much use to him if he fell 45ft to the ring below.

He once fell 25ft during a performance in Rio de Janeiro, breaking both arms and three of his ribs. "A hard hat wouldn't have helped me then, and it won't help me now," he said. "Working in the circus, you get injured all the time. But you just have to get over it."

Mr Archer added: "The hats could be more of a liability than anything else. They could slip over the artists' eyes or throw the performers off balance.

"This is just another loony law from Brussels and we are the only country stupid enough to pay any attention."

The insurers, a consortium of seven companies providing cover for the circus during the remaining four months of its British tour, warned about the necessity for safety helmets in a faxed advisory notice on Monday.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said the issue of circus safety had "no set guidelines".

Richard Littlejohn mentioned it in the Sun today, under his "You couldn't make it up!" I thought hard hats had to been worn for the benefit of someone who might drop a 12" RSJ on your head. However, does this mean that the ring master must wear a hard hat in case a trapeze artist falls on his head. I mean it wasn't mentioned, was it?

TigaSefi · 25-07-2003, 12:46

Surely the column "You Couldn't Make it up" is an oxymoron ? because you could make it up cos of some daft **** in the European Parliament.

Enterian · 25-07-2003, 12:55

Sigh!.............. You'd think the EU would have something better to do!

Stephen Robb · 25-07-2003, 12:57

Quote:

Originally posted by TigaSefi
Surely the column "You Couldn't Make it up" is an oxymoron ? because you could make it up cos of some daft **** in the European Parliament.

What on earth are you prattling on about?

TigaSefi · 25-07-2003, 12:59

Well I said that the bit of the littlejohn's column saying "you couldn't make it up" is wrong cos Euro MP's have shown that it is possible to make up idiotic laws.

Stephen Robb · 25-07-2003, 13:22

Quote:

Originally posted by TigaSefi
Well I said that the bit of the littlejohn's column saying "you couldn't make it up" is wrong cos Euro MP's have shown that it is possible to make up idiotic laws.

Right I see what you saying now. Sorry misinterpreted it! Crack on!

etccarmageddon · 25-07-2003, 15:05

Quote:

Originally posted by Stuart W
could someone please point out the "Pro's" of joining europe to me please??

So far, I have only seen the daftest set of laws ever writen and financial suicide.

a single trading area.

followed by a single currency which leads to economic convergence (interest rates, taxes, how taxes are spent decided from brussels) and ultimately forces a single government which can then decide on our laws.