"Johann S." wrote in message
...

It is just that safety rules are starting to irritate me. At work,
safety rules are getting more and more, and freedom of choice is
getting less and less. Damn boring. Ah well. *shrug*

I wouldn't argue with the statement that sometimes institutions go to
ridiculous lengths to protect themselves from liability, and also that
sometimes people get downright silly in their efforts to "protect" others.

At the same time, one must allow the principle that people should be
accountable for their actions to extend to everyone. Including people in
supervisory or legislative positions who feel responsible for those whose
lives their actions affect.

If I make a rule that the crew repainting an exhibit hall must keep it
ventilated and wear masks when sanding, then when they violate the rule
they're accepting responsibility for violating the rule, and accepting the
potential consequences as well. If I don't make the rule, then I am. Well,
no thanks. I can't stop people from doing stupid things, but I can protect
myself from their lawyers. But I'd feel *really* bad if somebody had their
lungs damaged because I actually was negligent in providing a safe work
environment. So being "responsible for my own actions" in this case is to
make annoying rules for the workers.

RichC