Daily Mail report on snow clearing in Germnay etc.

Anyone spot the mistakes in journoism?

Should you be fined if you don't clear the snow off the path outside your house? | Mail Online

I can't see it catching on over here though. 'umin rites guv, cahncil shud do it'.

Isn't it the rule here that if you clear the snow you become responsible if somebody slips and injures themself?

Originally Posted by DemsMaShoes

Isn't it the rule here that if you clear the snow you become responsible if somebody slips and injures themself?

So the journos would have us believe, but if you clear the snow with good intent, no, you can't be sued., and a quick but cursory Google reveals no examples of a successful case here in the UK against a homeowner.

Even in America, the Land of the Lawyer, it's almost impossible to sue someone if you slip on snow as it's an "open and obvious" hazard.

Originally Posted by DemsMaShoes

Isn't it the rule here that if you clear the snow you become responsible if somebody slips and injures themself?

This is from a barrister I asked about it - the story was based on the idea that you become liable for the consequences of your actions but not for your omissions. However, unless you cleared the snow in so stupid and reckless a manner that your action in clearing it created a hazard in itself (I have actually seen one mong in our road clearing his path with kettles of boiling water which then froze into black ice, he later slipped on it and cut his head open), you would not be liable.

"I live in Germany And A friend of mine lives in a Third floor flat and is a wheelchair case. He has recently been prosecuted for not clearing the snow from the road. and is being fined about 1000 Euros for this. Only problem is he is currently in hospital (He is a paralysed from the 6 vert down) undergoing treatment. And he will have to pay or go to prison. He has elected the latter..."

Read more: Should you be fined if you don't clear the snow off the path outside your house? | Mail Online

From the comments comes a strong smell of bullshit.

From page 9 of today's Torygraph...."Railway station staff have been told by their union, (RMT), not to clear snow from platforms because they have not been trained in "Handling Hazardous Materials".

Clear half the road as well???? What a load of bollocks! We are required to clear and grit the path and access to the property, to a width of 1 mtr only! The Stadt does the rest!

Originally Posted by Nutstrangler

From page 9 of today's Torygraph...."Railway station staff have been told by their union, (RMT), not to clear snow from platforms because they have not been trained in "Handling Hazardous Materials".

Well snow does contain Dihydrogen monoxide

Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also
referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium
Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl
radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell
membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic
components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous
compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol.

Nasty stuff.

In Croatia, we are expected to clear the path directly in front of the property. People in buildings arrange a roster for clearing snow. The idea that people are running to clear snow the instant it begins to fall is ridiculous. No point clearing it in a heavy fall. This is same as in Germany I believe.

The local authority supply 25 kilo bags of salt on the corner of the each street as well each building. Their is a community inspector who is actually a decent bloke keeps an eye on the elderly residents along with his other duties, he has the power to administer penalty notices if the snow is not removed says he has not done so in years as it's considered rude not to do your section.

Myself and some of the neighbours cleared the path for some of the elderly residents and a neighbour who is currently out of town.

So people should be fined for not clearing their path. Its a pity that people dont see that they have some responsibility past their own door step. As for legal action for slips and trips, well thats just typical excuse making for not wanting to break a bloody sweat.

Originally Posted by Nutstrangler

From page 9 of today's Torygraph...."Railway station staff have been told by their union, (RMT), not to clear snow from platforms because they have not been trained in "Handling Hazardous Materials".

Considering most train platforms stink of tramp piss and vomit, I'd say that was a fair one.