Will observatories open to the public now have to close?

Question

Due to heath and safety. This is the latest list to be complied with.

RISK ASSESSMENT AT THE OBSERVATORY

Entering the gate – it is possible to trip up on the step, particularly in autumn when there are wet leaves from the trees. Prevention – sweep up all wet leaves or cut down the trees

Climbing the observatory stairs – it is possible to trip or slip on wet leaves and as the health of visitors is unknown there is the possibility that someone with cardiac disease might experience a sudden myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Prevention – clear up all wet leaves and perform an echo cardiogram on all elderly visitors

Entering the observatory in the dark – It is possible to trip on the step. Prevention – fit an illuminated sign saying ‘mind the step’ or remove the step an fit a slope

In the dark, it is easy to walk into the telescope counterweight, this could cause concussion. Prevention - fit an illuminated sign saying ‘mind the counterweight’ or cover it with padding.

There is always the danger that visitors could place their hands on the dome rail and have their fingers crushed when it rotates. Prevention – fit an illuminated sign saying ‘mind the dome rail danger of digital amputation’ or prevent the dome from rotating.

Using the telescope it is possible to poke an eye out when negotiating the eyepiece in the dark. Prevention – fit an illuminated sign saying ‘ mind the eyepiece’ or prevent visitors from using the telescope.

When observing the Sun it is possible for visitors to put their head between the projection eyepiece and the projection screen. This could cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Prevention – do not allow visitors anywhere near the telescope when observing the Sun or do not ever observe the Sun.

It is possible for visitors to be struck by the telescope when slewing it in the dark. Prevention – tell all visitors to leave the building whilst slewing the telescope or do not move the telescope.

It is possible for visitors to hang themselves on the ropes used for rotating the dome and opening the shutters. Prevention – do not open the shutters or rotate the dome.

Mounting the observing steps in the dark – It is easy for visitors to slip up or fall off the observing steps in the dark. Prevention – Do not allow visitors to mount the observing steps in the dark – switch the lights on.

It is very easy for visitors to hit their head on the entrance to the annexe tunnel (I do it regularly and Patrick Moore once nearly knocked himself out on it!) Prevention – Fit an illuminated sing saying ‘mind your head’ or don’t allow visitors or Sir Patrick Moore anywhere near the annexe tunnel

Danger of electrocution. As the telescope is driven by an electric motor and as dew forms regularly at night this presents a hazard if for any reason the fuse fails. Prevention – isolate the telescope from the mains supply

When observing the moon near to full phase the image is so bright that temporary blindness can occur. Visitors could then stumble about and collide with each other or the telescope or other hard surfaces. Prevention – do not allow visitors to look at this phase of the moon with the telescope.

Visitors are sometimes so excited with their first view of the Saturnian ring system that they are in danger of hitting themselves on the telescope. Prevention – Do not allow visitors who have never seen Saturn to see Saturn.

Conclusion. The Observatory is clearly a very dangerous location for visitors particularly during hours of darkness. It is suggested that visitors are only allowed access to the Observatory during daylight hours and in view of the danger presented by Solar observation access to visitors should be restricted to cloudy days.

Answer 1

Um, where is that from?  something tells me it is not authentic.

Answer 2

Yes, some of the items listed are laughable, or are they?

I belong to a Society that opens it's observatory to the public. For several years we have conducted risk assessments on an annual basis. We have public liability indemnity as well. Our risk assessments are done not just for the public at large but also for member's benefit. There has, despite the increasingly risk adverse society we live in, been no suggestion that we should not open to the public.

It is impossible to counter every possible risk, one can only eliminate some and mitigate others. And react to those that emerge. Much of it is plain common sense and not really that difficult to maintain or uphold. I've no idea if we are bound by law to conduct risk assessments but it strikes me as prudent irrespective. I suspect that if something dreadful did happen, and it was shown that we had done nothing to review safety we could be in deep trouble.

We don't go over the top but where to draw the line with some perceived risks has me tearing my hair out. But, the point is that to have some concern for safety is all fine and well, only if you actually do something about it. While it may not be possible to foresee every possibility I think that it is better to be able to show that some effort has been made rather that doing nothing.

Overall, our approach has had no impact on public viewing access, but it has improved safety and stamped out several bad practise's. In all, I think it has been worth the effort.

Answer 3

This is fake or some on is trying to make a joke.

Answer 4

I totally believe this. My local observatory, The Custer institute on Long Island, named after Custer's niece, not the general had a very irate patron one night. He was yelling he couldn't see where he was going as if it were immoral to have a public place be dark. He was almost abusive and would not listen to explanations about why it had to be dark.

http://www.custerobservatory.org/

Another night a woman came in complaining how "insensitive" it was to have a place called "Custer" across the street from an Indian Museum. She was not Native American herself and not interested in our members reminder that "we lost that one anyway". So maybe we better think about a disclaimer sign too.

And then there's John Dobsons story about his early "Sidewalk Astronomers" days taking his big scope into the National Parks and being told repeatedly by a park official that he would have to come back during the day. The guy just couldn't "get it".

http://quanta-gaia.org/dobson/

Answer 5

Sometimes there IS sufficient argument for a cleansing of the gene pool.  

Answer 6

Sounds like a spoof to me, but some aspects of it are worryingly close to reality. An observatory near where I live has ceased holding open days as they are no longer able to obtain public liability insurance. Aren't we lucky to have all these people concerned for our safety.

Edit:

Who's giving out the thumbs down? There must be lawyers browsing this category.

Answer 7

  Thank all our attorney's and sue happy society for this kind of thing...

  Won't be long there will be no public anything..Sad but true.

Answer 8

I hope nobody from health and safety reads this, or you will be in the mire! I wonder if health and safety n**i's have ever carried out a risk assessment of their own job, i.e. treating law abiding people like imbeciles may result in injury to health and safety officers nose, thus health and safety officer should keep his useless gob firmly shut and let people get on with life!