I guess the fire exit signs are building code requirements though and not DOC's decision. I heard some commentary about a bag of peanuts with a warning "contains peanuts". This was justified because the legal labelling requirements need to be straightforward, and adding exceptions for obvious cases like this would just weaken the legislation and allow for nasty grey areas. Same with exit signs. The standardisation of the rule is more important than a few silly, unnecessary signs.
What really annoys me are exit signs leading to doorways you can't normally use, e.g. alarmed doors in shops and supermarkets. I think this is very dangerous as we learn to ignore the exit signs. Fortunately not a problem in little huts.
exit signs are for emergency use only. you can only use all these exits in an emergency. Taking this to the next level means you should only use unmarked exits the rest of the time.
That peanut warning was actually "May contain nuts" It was on a jar of peanut butter. I would of been more confident of its meaning if it had said may not contain nuts
I know its a building requirement. thats why I said P.C. O.S.H. bullcrap.
When are weakening ourselves mentally and physically as a species. Where turning evolution on its side.
might as well stick a big sign on each hut going do not lick NZFS tangerine paint as it may be harmful to your healtj.
Haha. I bet you are the fire exit sign installer Madpom.
I can think of worse jobs to have to do
It could be interesting how this pans out. From http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/10151499/Trampers-death-prompts-rethink-on-rules :
"The Department of Conservation has asked the Southland Conservation Board to advise on a review of its operations on the southern Great Walks, in the wake of the death of a tramper on the Milford Track last month."
[--snip--]
'The digital age might be having different implications for the Great Walks, he said. "Trampers can get permits without even talking to anyone," he said.
'It appears the general [skill] level of trampers is going down. But at the same time, it appeared the expectations of the public about how they are looked after are going up.
'New Southland Conservation Board member John Twidle said there could be more focus on getting people prepared for New Zealand's wilderness areas.'
stick signs at te anau and te anau downs the bridges have been removed...
The great walks get promoted far and wide, to entice tourists. We have to expect that people that don't have the skills about river crossings, weather conditions will want to still use these places.
All weather access is arguably a minimum standard ie bridging river crossings that can be hazardous. They arnt "tramping " tracks, theyre "Great walk/Easier Tramping tracks"
"Suitable for people with limited backcountry (remote area) experience"
"..Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged.."
Elsewhere, I think DOC should resist making the basic "Tramping" track easier than the standard intended. some of these tracks are also popular Tourist routes, so preparing those users for what they will encounter, somehow. (not sure how, though)
From that article:-
"New Southland Conservation Board member John Twidle said there could be more focus on getting people prepared for New Zealand's wilderness areas."
How much more can be done??? There will always be heaps of people who will not research preparedness, assuming they know it all. Same as there will always be some who cross a flooded stream when they shouldn't.
the board has been stacked with some members of the local business community, Mr Twidle works for Meridian at Manapouri... so what is his experience with tramping??
why is someone from a company involved in heavy industry commenting on tamping tracks? who's advice is he taking and what is their experience with tramping?
Meridian have a very robust view on health and safety. If that is followed by its managers etc and followed through onto doc walks you would be seeing a push towards covering all and every conceivable risk in all places. Start expecting a half day induction for Milford and another compulsory one for routburn if doing it next. Expect park management to inspect packs before starting and maybe a random check or two half way. That is how Meridian runs its business to achieve a goal of no incidents ever and as a target in the Doc space it would be nice but there are too many unmanageables Or are they?
Im doing some contract work for them at the moment and health and safety takes precidence over everything.
