Case 138 - Tissue box removed from the make-up stand in a chemist retail shop

Issue

In a Chemist retail shop, a box of tissues used for wiping off tester make-up had been removed from the make-up stand. A customer questioned this decision and was told that the tissues were a health and safety hazard because they were next to fluorescent lights.

Panel decision

Well done to the complainant for challenging this misguided decision. This seems to be a classic case of tackling the symptom not the cause and the result is withdrawal of a small but valued customer service covered up by the usual health and safety excuse. If the lights are so hot as to create a fire risk then that is the source of the problem which needs to be addressed. In any event, a small amount of common sense could be applied to offer tissues or wet wipes in a location away from/shielded from the lights.