Discussion
Here is my attempt to beat the Sean Connery joke thread in both size and longevity. I think that between the EU, local councils, the financial institutions and government this one could run and run.
Red Tape. Silly and stupid rules that stop you doing sensible things. Bureaucrats that don't think past the first obstacle or complication, or who insist on folllowing rules that have no reasoning or purpose.
Here's my first effort (well 2 in fact).
New regulations on Asbestos disposal(like the stuff you have on your barn roof or workshop walls). Previously had to be double seal bagged and placed in the bottom of very deep holes and immediately covered. Now they have to go to a handful of national sites. Result, our local lanes are full of asbestos bumped by builders who won't pay the 5 fold increase in cost. Some of it is already double bagged. Therefore the council have to pick it up, bag it and ship it. Might have been cheaper for everyone, and safer to have simply agreed to ship it free or at a reduced price?
A friend was asked to export 5000 tons of scrap steel cable. The cable had a small amount of bitumen attached (less than 1%) which the EU see as hazardous waste to be removed here in the EU before shipping to Asia for recycling. Such was the form filling and cost required that the client decided to landfill it here in the UK.
Red Tape. Silly and stupid rules that stop you doing sensible things. Bureaucrats that don't think past the first obstacle or complication, or who insist on folllowing rules that have no reasoning or purpose.
Here's my first effort (well 2 in fact).
New regulations on Asbestos disposal(like the stuff you have on your barn roof or workshop walls). Previously had to be double seal bagged and placed in the bottom of very deep holes and immediately covered. Now they have to go to a handful of national sites. Result, our local lanes are full of asbestos bumped by builders who won't pay the 5 fold increase in cost. Some of it is already double bagged. Therefore the council have to pick it up, bag it and ship it. Might have been cheaper for everyone, and safer to have simply agreed to ship it free or at a reduced price?
A friend was asked to export 5000 tons of scrap steel cable. The cable had a small amount of bitumen attached (less than 1%) which the EU see as hazardous waste to be removed here in the EU before shipping to Asia for recycling. Such was the form filling and cost required that the client decided to landfill it here in the UK.
Isn't the classic one people not being allowed to change light bulbs at work because of ninnyist regulations? The regulators would have loved the way we replaced SONs at the plant hire place I worked at... stick a pallet on the fork lift, someone stands on it then someone else hoists them 20 feet up on the forks. Especially fun if you forget to move the forks as wide apart as possible first, then put a foot outside one of them so the pallet tips...
On the boundaries of Red Tape............when I was a Parent Governor at my sons' senior school, one pupil asked me where he and his mates could go to ride their bmx bikes and skateboards without 'annoying' people. (trying to act responsibly etc.)
I raised his question at the relevent governors meeting. The responce was...along the lines of...nowhere suitable, who'd supervise them, who'd pay for it, then there's the insurance if someone gets hurt and makes a claim and so on....all general positive stuff lol.
Then someone mentioned a scheme that was running at the time where 'youngsters' were allowed/taught to ride motorbikes on the land of a well known large employer in these parts.
Mmmm.... says I, isn't that a scheme run in connection with the Police? (yes was the reply) Isn't that a scheme for young 'offenders' to keep them 'occupied' and out of trouble (yep)
So, says I, you're all telling me that law abiding, sensible young teenagers are asking for somewhere to go, and I've got to tell them we can't help them, HOWEVER, if they'd like to go and through a brick thru' someones window or nick a car or something, they get to ride a motorbike ............
I raised his question at the relevent governors meeting. The responce was...along the lines of...nowhere suitable, who'd supervise them, who'd pay for it, then there's the insurance if someone gets hurt and makes a claim and so on....all general positive stuff lol.
Then someone mentioned a scheme that was running at the time where 'youngsters' were allowed/taught to ride motorbikes on the land of a well known large employer in these parts.
Mmmm.... says I, isn't that a scheme run in connection with the Police? (yes was the reply) Isn't that a scheme for young 'offenders' to keep them 'occupied' and out of trouble (yep)
So, says I, you're all telling me that law abiding, sensible young teenagers are asking for somewhere to go, and I've got to tell them we can't help them, HOWEVER, if they'd like to go and through a brick thru' someones window or nick a car or something, they get to ride a motorbike ............
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