Doormats are a health and safety hazard - Leicester tower block tenants told
Council officials have told tower block tenants to remove doormats from outside their homes – because they are a health and safety hazard.
People in flats on the St Peter's estate, in Leicester, said they were bemused when a city council official knocked on their doors and issued the warning.
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The official also pointed out that tenants should not leave other obstacles such as bicycles, pushchairs or mobility scooters in corridors.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service has backed the decision to issue the advice.
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However, St Peter's Neighbourhood Monitoring, a community group which uses its own cameras to film litterbugs and other forms of antisocial behaviour, has criticised the authority.
Albert Berer, a resident and a member of the group, said: "I had a knock on my door and it was an official from the council, carrying a clipboard.
"He told me I could not have a doormat outside my home because I might trip on it on my way out if there was a fire.
"I thought he was going to say then, 'it's all right, I'm only joking!', but it became clear that he was serious.
"It struck me as totally unnecessary, jobsworthiness. What can possibly be wrong with having a doormat outside your house? It is not a safety hazard.
"I think too many councils have a misguided grasp on health and safety. They are paranoid and make these decisions based on the fear of facing litigation."
He and other tenants have now taken their mats in.
But Mr Berer urged the city council to turn its attention instead to people who park illegally in the area, blocking access to the estate for the emergency services.
"That is the real fire safety issue here and that is what the council should be looking at," he said.
"If there was a fire here there is a good chance the emergency services wouldn't be able to get to us."
A city council spokeswoman said: "For the safety of all our tenants, we inspect our tower blocks once a week.
"We work closely with the fire service to make sure our buildings can be evacuated safely in the event of an emergency – and that means ensuring that communal areas are kept clear of trip hazards and combustible materials.
"Therefore, doormats should not be placed on the communal walkways outside flats.
"Our staff will also remind tenants that keeping buggies, bicycles or other items in communal areas is not allowed.
"We understand that tenants want to keep their flats clean, but we also need to keep our tenants safe.
"A doormat placed inside their front door will help keep their properties clean – and ensure that communal areas and evacuation routes are kept free from trip hazards."
Ian Lockyer, of the fire service, said: "If an area needs to be evacuated it is crucial that staircases and hallways are clear of all obstacles, including doormats.
"The city council is quite right in what it is saying. There should be nothing of a combustible nature or a trip hazard in these areas."
Comments
by anobserver
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 12:53PM
“Not sure who to address this to.Anyway that the HSE have a site for "myth busters",it must mean there are many "myths" abounding.Surely to place the onus upon a resident to object is faulty and immoral.I have not seen any of the letters posted to residents,but I feel sure they were on council headed paper and all official, in seveal languages,and not one indication of where to object to.Someone tell me I am wrong.Is it not for the council to send the same clown who posted them back with confirmation it is not a H&S issue.Then again I guess they went via a postal service,at our cost.Another waste of tax payers money.
I bet they did not have the name of the idiot who came up with this nonsence, signed off.”
by alanpartr1dge
Thursday, January 24 2013, 10:22AM
“May I point everyone's attention to:
HSE responds to Leicester Mercury article, "Doormats are a health and safety hazard"
(http://tinyurl.com/a3rx9dd)
Article:
"Doormats are a health and safety hazard - Leicester tower block tenants told" - Leicester Mercury, 21 January 2013"
Response date:
21 January 2013
Dear Editor
I read with interest the article entitled 'Doormats are a health and safety hazard' (21 January 2013) as there are no health and safety regulations prohibiting the use of doormats outside flat doors.
The council, supported by the Fire Service, have taken the view that mats should not be placed outside their flats, and have explained why (keeping fire escape routes clear of obstructions and tripping hazards), but this has nothing to do with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
If tenants have been told that it is a health and safety issue they can always challenge decisions such as these by contacting the Myth Busters Challenge Panel at http://tinyurl.com/8opyrfy
Yours faithfully,
Rosi Edwards
Regional Director
Health and Safety Executive
Midlands”
by Smoothuk1
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 2:57PM
“I'd put money on this that Health & Safety have said nothing about this issue ( like 99% of headline catching news stories ) and the council are only doing this in case they get sued which I can't see anyone taking them to court would win, the only issue I would agree with is obstacles such as bicycles, pushchairs or mobility scooters in corridors. So Mr Council Jobsworth should you really be in the job that ur employed to do or just trying to justify ur job !!!”
by Banksider33
Monday, January 21 2013, 4:44PM
“You really couldn't make this up.
What's the bigger hazard? Doormats outside council flats, or pavements covered in ice and snow which the council cant be bothered to clear?
Answers on a postcard to SPS at New Walk.....”
by anobserver
Monday, January 21 2013, 4:11PM
“Had a few hours ruminating on this nonsence.Can some jobsworth,who manages to keep a job with this council, justify the time ,effort and cost for doing this nonsence.Surely a person who would not be missed in these times of financial restraint and cut backs.Maybe a new position could be found for him/her.Maybe Winter Weather Warning Warden.Putting notes through doors saying"It is Winter.Be careful as there is snow falling.It is white and covers the pavements.You may even slip on the pavements due to absence of cleaners."
What an absolute load of tosh.
Guess who is paying for it?
Sneaky Pete can save a few quid by losing this clown,or clowns,with the knowledge nobody will notice .”
by ricardo32x
Monday, January 21 2013, 4:01PM
“Why are they called doormats if they are not supposed to be in front of the door?
What about the red carpet in front of 10 Downing St is that a health and safety issue?
I agree bikes and prams etc could be.”
by saxonrosecliff
Monday, January 21 2013, 3:12PM
“I've had a doormat outside my house for years and years and have never fallen over it and neither has anyone else, to the best of my knowledge. Anyhow if you move a doormat inside often you can't open the door over it. I think I'll stick a big notice on my gate "Warning, very dangerous doormat waiting to make you fall over".”
by maxmax16
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:47AM
“buggies,bikes,well ok but doormats. thick jobsworths.”
by anobserver
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:40AM
“The council should issue on the spot fines for anyone who has the audacity to actualy own a door mat.How dare these people be allowed to live within the City,showing such utter contempt for their property.We should all join the "Ban Door Mats" national campaign.”
by djh_lm1
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:17AM
“Fascinating, just how many years have people put doormats outside there flats? how many accidents gas there been?”