The Daily Mail's Quentin Letts reached the conclusion in Panorama last night that common sense must rule when it comes to protecting people’s health and safety. We at the Health and Safety Executive applaud this sentiment.

'Health and safety' is sometimes used as an excuse to save money or justify unpopular decisions - from banning hanging baskets to Christmas lights. This is a constant frustration to HSE. As Quentin Letts discovered, many of these decisions have little to do with real health and safety regulations.

HSE's work is not about wrapping people in cotton wool, but working with employers to reduce the numbers of families devastated by their loved ones being killed or injured.