NEWS & DOWNLOADS

Life With Lemons

This is an adapted story from Canada used to bring Risk Assessments to life. Feel free to use this and spread the concept of looking out for lemons.

It is a summer evening in Northern British Columbia. The water is clear and glassy as the paddle stroke hums through the water. The Douglas firs are reflected in the lake's mirror like surface. The canoe is edging toward the end of a nine-day trip and the taste of our first cold beer is on the tips of our tongues. Not far now, the cedar deck is fast approaching with the promise of hot showers and a mattress.

Our party of four sits with post trip smiles studying the cold beers in front of us while the lodge owner joins us. “You have an amazing place here, the lake is so beautiful and peacefull" Richard chirps up, looking out over the picture-book view. The weathered face turns slowly and considers, "It’s not always like this, last year two people had their lemons come up”. We make eye contact around the group, perplexed expressions from all and Richard leads on, "How do you mean their lemons came up?” She turns “Well, life’s like a one armed bandit slot machine, and if four lemons come up you are out".

Still confused we press for more. "Sorry to be slow on this but we're from the other side of the pond; could you explain about the lemons?" The lodge owner continues..."Life's about looking out for lemons. Each lemon is a hazard, which unless it gets sorted could prove a problem. If you get four of these it is not looking good. The paddlers last year had their lemons lining up. They were novices and not confident swimmers – Lemon 1; they ignored advice and were in the middle of the lake – Lemon 2; it was 4.30 in the afternoon – lemon 3; and then the wind picked up – lemon 4. Four lemons and sadly they died".

“So it is like a risk assessment - looking at hazards and what can go wrong?"

“You can call it what you like, but it's common sense. We just talk about looking out for lemons"