FOR years, health and safety guidelines have triumphed over common sense for even the simplest of tasks.

But now – at least, for one weather-related task – it would appear the opposite is back on top.

Remember last winter’s snow chaos, and the rumours doing the rounds that you’d better not clear snow or ice from the pavement outside your home, for fear of being sued should some idiot trip over and hurt themselves?

Well worry no more as, according to the Coalition Government, you CAN safely carry on as you used to.

And you don’t even need to carry out a dynamic risk assessment, either!

Guidelines issued by the Department for Transport state: “There is no law stopping you from clearing snow and ice on the pavement outside your property, pathways to your property or public spaces.

“If an accident did happen, it’s highly unlikely that you would be sued as long as you are careful and use common sense to make sure you don’t make the pavement or pathway clearly more dangerous than before.

“People using areas affected by snow and ice also have responsibility to be careful themselves.”

Hertfordshire County Council this week welcomed the ruling.

Cllr Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We are very glad to receive this clear guidance from government as this was a major issue last winter and we had a lot of people contacting us for advice.

“This will be welcome news for any residents who, should we have another severe winter, will be free to clear the snow outside their homes, provided they do so carefully and without making the situation worse.”

* To read the Government’s advice in full, click on the link above.