HEALTH AND SAFETY ?

[Cornerfleg]

There is currently a very high profile study being carried out at the University of Pennsylvania ... now remember this is all pre-publishing … but after 5 years of study there appears to be an incredibly strong correlation between how many wedgies you got as a first year student at school and the chances of you becoming an EventSec at Ravenhill. Other factors influencing this dramatic career choice would be, having your diner money stolen and being forced to wear NHS specs with 200 feet of sellotape being used to mend one of the legs.

[Rooster]

Sent: 08 April 2010 20:55
To: Marketing
Subject: Children's Steps
Dear Ulster Rugby,

On Saturday 3rd April as a treat, I brought my youngest son of 6 years old along with myself and next oldest boy to Ravenhill. We came prepared (or so we thought) with a plastic step to enable the youngest to see over the barrier. We didn't get beyond the entrance gates without having the step removed from us by event security for Health and Safety reasons.

I presented my season ticket and one other season ticket and bought him a £10 ticket for the promenade. No surprise but the little fella spent the whole game trying to see over the barrier.

Whilst I think I can guess the reasons for the self built step ban, why then not provide or take some measures to allow the wee ones to see over (or through) the barrier (my son was not alone in his frustration at having to cling and clamber on the back of the barrier). We were informed that this ruling had been in place all season, even more reason to expect a solution to be in place by now? I would also say, that I don't see it mentioned directly in the laws of the ground section.......................Unfortunately not a particularly family friendly experience and one that he will not be repeating for the foreseeable (at least not until he's grown a foot or two).

Still waiting for a reply....

Question now would be , Is there anyone left in Marketing department ?

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Well, after a couple of seasons of not knowing what the stewards around the halfway line on the terrace side were going to do next, we now know exactly what to expect at most (if not all games). There is a fine young lady who is on regular duty there now who looks out for our interests with common sense and a smile on her face, and since she has been a regular fixture there, I'm not aware of ANYONE having gripes about the way things are done. She's polite, talks to you quietly if she has a request, and shares jokes with the crowd, and doesn't appear to have one ounce of self-importance. What's more, she has red hair to show support for the team (well maybe she just likes her hair that way - it certainly looks good) .......

...... stand up (and clear the yella lines) for that Ulsterwoman!!!

[KenDoddsDadsDogsDead]

Well, after a couple of seasons of not knowing what the stewards around the halfway line on the terrace side were going to do next, we now know exactly what to expect at most (if not all games). There is a fine young lady who is on regular duty there now who looks out for our interests with common sense and a smile on her face, and since she has been a regular fixture there, I'm not aware of ANYONE having gripes about the way things are done. She's polite, talks to you quietly if she has a request, and shares jokes with the crowd, and doesn't appear to have one ounce of self-importance. What's more, she has red hair to show support for the team (well maybe she just likes her hair that way - it certainly looks good) .......

...... stand up (and clear the yella lines) for that Ulsterwoman!!!

Hear Hear !!!, sometimes she will be at the pitch side while sometimes at the wall of new stand. A very pleasant young lady indeed.

[BR]

for some reason, NI does a great line in this type of snivelling jobsworth

Maybe it is linked the irony demonstrated in this thread. On the one hand we have people complaining that stewards are too fussy in obeying the letter of the law/rule/regulation and at the same time suggesting that if the steward tries to prevent you doing something that isn't specifically banned in black and white within the terms and conditions of your admittance, then you could take legal action against him/her.

[fuzzylogic]

Well said BR!

[browner]

Do you need to get in contact with Ulster Rugby?
Ulster Rugby
Ravenhill Grounds
85 Ravenhill Park
Belfast
BT6 0DG

Tel: +44 (0) 28 9049 3222
Email: marketing@ulsterrugby.com

Not much point in this then...if they can't be arsed to reply!

[Ithryn]

Yes the young lady who looks after us on the second barrier is a great steward no complaints there at all.

Cant speak about her compatriots but there are plenty of muppets.

Just talk back to them.

A while back whilst walking into the terrace with both arms full of drinks I was asked to produce my terrace ticket, which I refused as my hands were full and so couldnt hoke it out of my pocket, and his companion told me to go through. At half time I walked out again to get more beer and told the same guy I would be back through in 5 minutes, low and behold he asked for the ticket again. I had a right go at him for not doing him job and he apoligised and I walked on past.

In short stand up to the jobsworths.

[BIGBADDON]

Maybe it is time we all put our complaints to UR and copy the complaints and replys to UAFC. As the author of this thread I in no way was meaning to get at the stewards at the matches more the heirarchy who come up with the daft ideas. Today I have been contacted by 5 couples who don't now go to matches because of the petty rules. GOOD job UR keep introducing these silly ideas and we can then watch it on the BBC. REMEMBER your slogan for supporters a couple of years ago "WITHOUT YOU THERE IS NO TEAM"

[backawaygoonahead]

for some reason, NI does a great line in this type of snivelling jobsworth

Maybe it is linked the irony demonstrated in this thread. On the one hand we have people complaining that stewards are too fussy in obeying the letter of the law/rule/regulation and at the same time suggesting that if the steward tries to prevent you doing something that isn't specifically banned in black and white within the terms and conditions of your admittance, then you could take legal action against him/her.

Sorry BR but thats bollix, I said that security staff have the same rights/powers as any other member of the public in terms of "citizens arrest" should they lay hands on spectators and like all other members of the public face the same rigours of the law should their action be inappropriate. In other words, they are not policemen and they have to be as responsible for their actions as I do and any other spectator.

Whilst I am open to correction, by someone legally qualified, I believe this to be the legal situation. You appear to want the security staff to be able to act as they see fit with impunity. I'm pretty sure the majority of the posters here do not share your opinion given that only one steward - the lovely lady with the red hair has attracted favourable comment.

Given that you have gamely confessed to have "previous" as a "Fluorescent Jobsworth" your own opinion must be somewhat less than impartial.

I find it absolutely incredible that you appear to be suggesting with a straight face that it is perfectly fine "if the steward tries to prevent you doing something that isn't specifically banned in black and white within the terms and conditions of your admittance" - essentially that implies that they can do exactly what they like. Why should anyone be happy with security staff preventing actions that are not prescribed as incorrect? Thats not fuzzy logic - its 100% illogical. Even stranger, Fuzzylogic finds your comment enormously hilarious - clearly well named.

On the other hand nobody is suggesting that spectators can do what they like with impunity - simply people want to act in a reasonable, responsible manner without having to comply with nonsensical instructions.

[BR]

Sorry BR but thats bollix, I said that security staff have the same rights/powers as any other member of the public in terms of "citizens arrest" should they lay hands on spectators and like all other members of the public face the same rigours of the law should their action be inappropriate. In other words, they are not policemen and they have to be as responsible for their actions as I do and any other spectator.

As indeed do policemen...

You appear to want the security staff to be able to act as they see fit with impunity.

Well if you can find the bit where I say, or even imply that - please point it out and I will edit it for clarification.

I'm pretty sure the majority of the posters here do not share your opinion given that only one steward - the lovely lady with the red hair has attracted favourable comment.

Neither have I seen any comment that any steward has acted outside the law or their duties.

Given that you have gamely confessed to have "previous" as a "Fluorescent Jobsworth" your own opinion must be somewhat less than impartial.

never wore flourescent, it does nothing for my complexion. But why is this a 'them v us' situation.

I find it absolutely incredible that you appear to be suggesting with a straight face that it is perfectly fine "if the steward tries to prevent you doing something that isn't specifically banned in black and white within the terms and conditions of your admittance" - essentially that implies that they can do exactly what they like. Why should anyone be happy with security staff preventing actions that are not prescribed as incorrect?

Well when someone with the authority of the event organiser informs you that your actions are proscribed, then that should be good enough for most people. Far from staff being able to do exactly what they like, it seems that they are prevented form that and are instead doing exactly what they are told. Staff doing exactly what they like, would probably be happy enough to turn a blind eye to a securely held child on a safety barrier. (only then someone with an older kid would only say, "Well you're letting hm do it! Why are you stopping me?")

The question I was asking was - which came first, the 'NI jobsworth' attitude or the 'unless it says it in writing on the back of my ticket and on great big signs and I've signed a contract in the presence of my lawyer to agree to adhere to it, then I won't be stopped from doing it and if someone tries to stop me then they'd better be careful that they don't lay a finger on me or I'll have them up in court' attitude? As an organisation, if I'm up in court, guess what; I want to demonstrate that I have applied all the laws, regulations and best safety practice associated with my industry - or as you would have it, that i have provided a nanny state.

On the other hand nobody is suggesting that spectators can do what they like with impunity - simply people want to act in a reasonable, responsible manner without having to comply with nonsensical instructions.

And those instructions come from UR not the steward on the ground.

[WhiteKnightoftheWeld]

A while back whilst walking into the terrace with both arms full of drinks I was asked to produce my terrace ticket, which I refused as my hands were full and so couldnt hoke it out of my pocket, and his companion told me to go through. At half time I walked out again to get more beer and told the same guy I would be back through in 5 minutes, low and behold he asked for the ticket again. I had a right go at him for not doing him job and he apoligised and I walked on past.

I hope i never have the misfortune of bumping into you, or at least, if i do, fingers crossed ur arms are full of beer...
were u gonna go medieval on his ass? I bet u would deliver a right crushing blow, and a critical hit to disarm even the most flourescent coated of eventsecers...

do what i do.
if you're asked to produce a ticket for the terrace when your arms are full of beer, repeat the following:

"my hands are full, it's in my front pocket if you want to check it?"

then say:

"u know that these are the cheapest tickets anyway, if i was trying to sneak in anywhere it wouldnt be here?"

you'll be told to go on ahead. no agro. no flak. chillax ithryn, too much world of warcraft seems to have turned you into an overly aggressive beast, intent on seeking confrontation and causing conflict. Live Life, don't cause Strife!

[Cornerfleg]

Cracking forward job planning there Whiteknight ... must try that in future, either that or go up to the guys arms full of beer and in a very scared voice say there's a punter in the grounds ... Ithryn I think they call him ... bit of a modern day Don Quixote who tilts his Murphys at the dark satanic Eventsecs ... let me past fer god sake ... I beg you ...

[darkside lightside]

for some reason, NI does a great line in this type of snivelling jobsworth

Maybe it is linked the irony demonstrated in this thread. On the one hand we have people complaining that stewards are too fussy in obeying the letter of the law/rule/regulation and at the same time suggesting that if the steward tries to prevent you doing something that isn't specifically banned in black and white within the terms and conditions of your admittance, then you could take legal action against him/her.

I think there's a link maybe - we are also blessed with a disproportionate human rights/equality quangocracy, helping to engender a tremendous sense of entitlement, with early recourse to litigation a legitimate response - a comical recent example being yer man from the BBC sports trying to sue them for sectarian discrimination or whatever it was, on the flimsiest grounds ever

[HwoodMike2umate]

10/10 to the wee red haired one near 2BC.
She can look after my health & safety any day.