Welcome to this, our first Cleanzine broadcast following our Summer break. We originally planned these breaks to coincide with the annual shutdown that much of continental Europe had followed for decades, but I’m wondering whether, post-pandemic and what has become a seemingly permanent ‘work from home’ pattern for many of us, this custom still holds. So many of us might enjoy no longer having to travel into a workplace, but do any of us ever really ‘switch off’ now? 

  

I certainly don’t… Shortly after John Austen and I launched Cleanzine in 2002, we attended Interclean Amsterdam where we produced the first of our many ‘Cleanzine Daily’ broadcasts from international exhibitions. Visits to stands there prompted the first of many ‘Harry falls off a ladder’ stories, whereby John, in attempting to convey the benefits of Internet broadcasting before e-zines were really known about, would explain how unexpected occurrences could stymie business plans and prevent - Harry in this case - from attending an exhibition, a company open day or a product launch. “If Harry can’t come to you, an e-zine will take you, your company and your message to Harry,” was John’s argument. “It’s almost instant, it’s low cost if you wish to advertise and unlike a magazine doesn’t involve chopping down trees.” 

  

During our break this year I became Harry. As I was lying on the ground, unable to move, wondering whether bouncing hard onto my back as I’d just done had broken it – and while my head was still spinning since that had hit the ground hard in the second bump – I was thinking… “I’ve become complacent. I’ll have to share this with Cleanzine’s readers.” 

  

The previous week I’d been on the platform of a 10ft ladder in well-worn flip flops, outstretched arms brandishing fully-extended loppers over my neighbour’s fence, hacking through thick hazel branches. Occasionally I’d have one knee on the platform while using the other leg as a wedge to prevent me from toppling as I leant far further forward than I should have done. I’ve been doing it each year for 25 and generally feel perfectly safe. It took a 2ft stepladder and me helping remove decor at the end of a festival to be reminded about the very real dangers of complacency. 

  

According to the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health, falls from height cause an estimated 684,000 deaths annually, making them the second leading cause of injury death globally. But it’s not just those in our sector who work at height who can injure themselves by becoming complacent over everyday tasks. It’s those who bend, lift and twist, who’ve become so used to lugging that heavy machine upstairs that they no longer think about it. It’s all of us. Don’t be like Harry (or me)! Remain aware of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it at all times and stay safe.