nigegilb, I agree that an open and honest approach is needed. Unfortunately, politics and safety are 2 areas where there are no absolutes and 'societal' influences are greatest. Your foam being a microcosm of this - it would have been 'safe' to have implemented this mod some time ago, however politics (ie ac operational in theatre) trumped this. However, societal pressure after the accident has forced a change in policy.
As they say, if you think safety is expensive, try having an accident.
sw