SENSIBLE risks are to be the focus of a new health and safety initiative in South Lakeland.

Peter Ridgway, chief executive of South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), has signed up to the Health and Safety Exective's (HSE) Sensible Risk Campaign at a meeting of local authority bosses in Penrith.

The campaign aims to combat the myths that are currently undermining health and safety legislation and promote a sensible approach to monitoring risks.

Mr Ridgway said: "Over time, the stories of health and safety gone made has undermined the good work we and other councils do to protect vulnerable members of society.

"We are proud to sign up to protecting our workers and community through sensible health and safety policies and commit to focusing on saving lives, not bureaucratic back covering."

His comments were echoed by David Ashton, HSE North West regional director.

"We've all heard the stories about health and safety banning hanging baskets or charity plastic duck races," he said.

"That is not what we are about - it is not what HSE wants, not what SLDC wants, and not what the law requires.

"We both want to focus our attention on practical steps that protect people from real risks that can lead to injury and death, not stop people from living their lives."