Health and safety killjoys tell pensioner to get rid of his doormat - in case someone trips over it

Stanley Samuels was  dumbstruck when he received a letter from a  management company telling him to do away with his doormat because someone might trip over it.

Mr Samuels  said: 'They hand delivered letters to all of us, they said that if we have got a mat they will throw it away.

Stanley Samuels received written notice banning him and other residents from having a front doormat

'I thought it was ridiculous but rather than my mat being thrown away, I've brought mine inside.

'When visitors come to stay, I just want to them to be able to wipe their feet and not make my carpet dirty.'

The father-of-four continued: 'The whole world has gone mad if you think about it, all the things we used to be able to do we are not allowed to anymore.

'I've lived here for three years and no one has tripped over a mat, or broken their leg or anything.

'The law with the mats is part of health and safety rules which applies to flats like these, but it appears the law is wrong.

'How many people have fallen over their mats in a mad rush to get out'

In the 18-flat complex, which is home to residents of all ages, two signs in the doorways urge people to wipe their feet on a fixed communal mat at the entrance.

Homeowner Jonathan Barnett also received a letter from HML Hawksworth, the estate managers of his block of flats, telling him he had to get rid of the mat he has used for four years.

The 45-year-old did nothing at first because he assumed the note was an overdue April Fool's prank.

The letter said: 'Following a recent health and safety site inspection it has been bought to our attention that you have a doormat in the communal parts of the building.

'Please can you remove the doormat as this is a breach of health and safety regulations.

'Please be advised that if the doormat is not removed we will have no choice but to remove the doormat in due course.'

Mr Barnett said the demand was 'laughable' and 'health and safety gone mad.'

He criticised the firm for their stance when a neighbour of the block, in Harrow Weald, Middx., is struggling to get basic maintenance work done on her home.

He added: 'The letter is appalling. If a seven-year-old had produced that I would have been disappointed.'

A spokesman for HML Hawksworth explained that a consultant commissioned to carry out the study had specifically advised all items in the common areas of the building should be removed to reduce the risk of people tripping, especially in the event of a fire.