We don't have a fancy automatic roof (although we're trying to get the funding for one), so when we want to use the telescope one of the teachers ahs to climb up an external ladder onto the roof and open the dome.
H&S decided that this was too dangerous and had a safety rail fitted.
So what's the problem? In theory, nothing. I'm all in favour of safety and would never want to see any of my colleagues get hurt if it can be prevented. The problem with this particular safety rail, however, is that no one thought to ask anyone involved in Astronomy before it was installed. We got back after the Easter break and found a rail which blocks the view through the telescope! I suppose it does fulfill its purpose - no one will fall because the observatory was rendered utterly useless.
Thankfully after a number of testy e-mails a compromise has been reached and we will be getting a much smaller rail. If only they'd just consulted us in the first place!
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