Vandals Versus the Council (CoSHH Gone Mad)

Published Date: 26th February 2009

Vandals in Scotland sparked outrage when they sprayed thinners that had been left lying around by council workers over local residents cars. Under the CoSHH regulations there is a case for negligence, who do you think should pay for the damage, the council or the vandals?

Here's what a few people thought...

Erm, sorry have I missed something? Was it the council who sprayed the paint thinner all over the cars?
- Citizen V

No – but it was because of the council, or rather their workers, who were negligent in leaving the substance where it could be taken, therefore they are guilty of negligence. Did they have a COSHH risk assessment because if they didn't then the substance would never have been left lying around in the first place.
- Linmal

I take it then that if some little blighter uses a brick to smash a windscreen the car's owner will try to seek compensation from the brick's manufacturer or the builder of the wall whence the brick was taken? I'm with Citizen V on this one. Try suing the parents of the little thugs or the thugs themselves.
- Sister Morag

There is a difference in that bricks are not subject to the COSHH regulations. But I agree that dealing effectively with the brats and their feckless parents is certainly required.
- fresian