Workplace Health & Safety have gone mad in Australia.
This poem is based on a true story where a manager of a government
facility decided to replace a blown security light light-bulb himself, until
he realized that a height restriction of 2.5 meters for ladders would put him in breach
of safety regulations should he proceed.
Put my safety vest on first; now reflective pants.
Rehydrate (that’s quench my thirst); up my ladder slants.
Hang on – looks a bit too high; measure it with tape.
Two point six towards the sky; was a narrow scrape.
Can’t climb up the ladder or – I’d be sacked real swift.
It’s two point six from the floor, need a scissor lift.
Hard hat on and steel capped boots; safety glasses on.
Must conform with all statutes, or I’ll soon be gone.
Scissor lift, the hire mob bring; need a bloke who can,
operate the bloody thing; need a change of plan.
Get someone who’s qualified – on the scissor lift.
Had ten applicants applied; through their papers sift.
Two weeks later hired a man; now to get to work.
Up the scissor lift it goes; vertigo I fight.
In my hand a light bulb held; at a dizzy height,
All of two point six meters – I screwed in the light.
dnobrienpoetry 
Looks like government rule and regulation stupidity isn’t confined to the U.S.
Good poem.
Yes, regulation is out of control across the western world and is costing – big time. Our new Federal government is about to repeal around 10,000 pieces of regulatory legislation in one day of Parliament sitting. They will have 2 sitting days each year just to do that and it is a massive task thanks to previous governments, a long way to go but at least it’s a start.