Hi Andy
I actually got it a little wrong. Lower
Murray have now set up an induction program for anyone wanting to enter the
plant. Only BOC members so far have undertaken the induction. It is
"on trial" as a solution, with some fear that people may not respect it and
Lower Murray Water could still end up with a nasty situation.
To all others: I really understand the
frustration at the illogicality of these moves, but it is no different from many
other areas affected by legal liability issues, e.g. obstetricians, adventure
tourism, etc. It is a symptom of our slide into "litigate and sue and
bleed them dry" mentality as a community.
It is not black and white though, as we all know of
situations where, through accident/neglect/misadventure or poor maintenance by
the authority or organisation, the result is serious accident or injury to the
individual. Then who should cover the costs for that person?
It is all very well to say, "I take total
responsibility for myself", but what if I trip over a piece of wood, negligently
left across a path in the sewerage farm, fall into the lagoon and suffer
horrible consequences? Would I be happy to say it's all my own problem and
I will pay all the costs and bear the losses? Or would I want to say that
Lower Murray Water should have kept that path safe and therefore they should
pay?
Such "grey" situations are what our dear beloved
legal profession are so happily lining their pockets over. And our dearly
beloved insurance companies are charging so much to cover.
But - what should we do??? Not a simple
question.
Bob Cook
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