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After much discussion and bribery with beer, the Editor has agreed to let me right a column. The name comes from a compulsory Health and Safety (Gnome Welfare) requisite used in my day-job. A ‘tool box’ talk is the frank discussion with the work force prior to a new contract taking place, in which all matters concerning the new site are discussed. That is what I want to make this column, a frank discussion about the hobby we all love.

Difflock.com has a new-look Forum page which allows you, the reader, to talk to each other and to talk to us at the e-magazine.

In this column I won’t be pulling any punches, I will discuss things as I see them and as such I warn you now, my opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor it is, therefore up to you to let me know if you agree or disagree. Via the Forum the entire readership will be able to read your thoughts….

Have your say!

The first ‘Epistle according to Lovejoy’ concerns winches. I don’t like winches, in fact they scare me. During my working life I have seen two people killed by winches and about ten more seriously injured…and they were using winches within there design parameter and most had specialist training! What frightens me the most is that the majority of winch manufacturers have simply jumped on an international bandwagon – to make a fast buck. Handling a winch under load is like juggling a hand grenade with a loosened pin! Without adequate training this becomes a hand grenade without a pin and covered in grease!

What makes it worse is the ‘Challenge’ scenario. I liken it to the aftermath of a motorbike race. After the event, as the car park is emptying, it’s carnage, with the majority of sensible riders removing their brains and trying to emulate the top professional riders. Trust me I know, I’ve done it! It’s the same with winching. The likes of Bryn Hemmings or Pete Codd practice for hundreds of hours, they now their kit and its tolerances and they are usually very well insured.

In every day off-roading the winch is a ‘last chance tool’ – used for when you have no choice. And best left alone, apart from routine maintenance. A ‘Challenge’ is set out deliberately to allow the competitor the ‘short cut’ of a winch.

Would you sell a loaded firearm to someone with no knowledge of the use or safety precautions of such a thing? Selling a winch to a novice is the same. I think it should be made compulsory to have some form of nationally accredited training certificate prior to use of a winch.

Here’s a thought – just how many of you with winches are insured and I mean properly insured against injury to even a third party whilst winching?

Have your say!

My second ‘Epistle’ for this issue concerns marshalling. As I write this there has just been a very nasty accident on the Network Q rally involving Carlos Sainz and about fifteen spectators. Despite my instant concerns to those involved and there families, my second thought was "Oh God here we go again". You see, despite the developments in this years rally to control spectators, one of the most professionally run and safety aware rallies in the World Rally Championship have had a cock up.

When you compare the organisation of the average off-road event marshal with the calibre of WRC people there is quite some difference. Yet there is still the same chance, if not more, for injury or, God forbid a fatality.

Whilst up at the recent Trentham Gardens 4x4 Show I was appalled at the standard of the Trials and Comp’ Safari marshalling. The potential for a disaster was incredible.

For the next few weeks the papers are going to give the Network Q incident as much column space as is possible and the anti’s will use it as yet another example why any form of enjoyment should be banned. The big difference is that Bernie and his crew have got good insurance cover and good press officers. When (and not if) there is a serious accident at a comp’ safari or a trial - because to few people understand the seriousness of the situation - who is going to be there for the sport that I love so much?

Maybe it’s time we all looked towards the organisation of the Virtual Hillrally for inspiration?

Have your say in the Discussion Forum!