Yup the CAP642 is a pretty sensible document, it talks about a risk based approach and 'so far as is reasonably practicable' etc and... it is written to cover all including international airport operations. The problem is that it is possible to become over enthusiastic about both the use of such as high vis as well as its damnation. It is easier to justify the wearing of high vis by an employee than it is of a visiting leisure pilot as a different duty is owed. Chuck in a measure of dogmatism on both sides and you have a problem and one which tends to stop people looking out for the real safety issues which have a greater chance of killing them. Of greater sadness is that the Clarkson approach to safety seems to be pervading aviation. Apparently, it says that safety impinges on our basic rights and freedoms and is in all cases excessive and bad. Little though is given to the fact that safety grew up with aviation and made it the reliable and safe form of transport it is today. It belittles the great people who lost their lives learning all the potential risks that flying presents to save each of us having to do so for themselves.
Remember it was safety and the proper understanding and prioritisation of risks that got man to the moon. It did not stop him, but on the other hand neither did lawyers or legislators. Perhaps we should look elsewhere than safety for the problem?
Safety isn't all bad....... rant done.