HEALTH and safety jobsworths banned carers from helping a wheelchair-bound OAP after one got bitten by a FLEA.

Jean Jordan, 78, was abandoned after Essex County Council officials made the bizarre ruling.

Authorities made the move after one carer complained they were bitten by the mite at Jean’s house.

It means the pensioner, who dislocated her shoulder two years ago, has been without care for five days.

She needs helpers to assist with washing and dressing her.

Jean’s son Nigel blasted the council for refusing to do more.

He said: “It’s disgusting the way they have treated my mother.

“How can they say it was a flea bite from this house? I’ve tidied all the rooms and sprayed flea killer but I don’t think there have been any here.

“It could have been a fly or a mosquito bite from anywhere, especially in this weather.”

The move comes amid a flurry of red tape madness uncovered by The Sun in our “Non-Sense” campaign.

Jean’s husband of 50 years, Frank Jordan, 89, pleaded with the council to reverse their decision and allow carers back.

He said: “I would like the carers to come back as they do such a wonderful job.

“I don’t know what we are going to do if they don’t.” Alan Longman, from care provider Mears Group, confirmed the company had stopped twice-daily visits to the couple’s house last Sunday on the council’s advice.

He continued: “We are committed to providing continuity of care but we also have a duty of care to our employees.

“We are keen to resume care as soon as possible.” Essex Council Council said a full risk assessment had to be completed before carers could be allowed back to the house in Ramsey.

A spokesperson said an environmental health team would have to check out the house before care services could resume.

They told The Sun: “We are aware of the concerns raised by care staff and are working closely with Tendring District Council and all the relevant parties to urgently find a way forward.

“We want to identify how we can jointly deal with this problem to ensure the appropriate care is provided.”

It’s yet another example of the barmy behaviour The Sun is seeking to stamp out.

We recently launched our Non-Sense campaign where we seek to shame those behind ludicrous ‘elf and safety rulings.