The Law, Work and Safety Shoes,... where do I stand?

RickDawson

patman99 wrote: »

As you appear to have tried a larger pair as the correct size were too small, maybe the solution is the larger pair with insoles.

the larger size was not even wearable, but with insoles raised my foot to where it is slightly wider, and thus just got my feet in. and they are too long, as I can put my fingers between my ankle and the back of the shoes.

dickydonkin

jc808 wrote: »

Sorry, could you give us a bit more information?

Very unhelpful - just like some of the other posts on this thread.:wall:

OP - I get the impression that you believe that legislation relating to the provision of PPE (personal protective equipment) is a recent introduction.

The reality is that the provision of PPE is incorporated into the Health & Safety at Work act 1974 (HASWA) with specific legislation introduced in 1992 under EU directives as part of the 'six pack' bundle of new laws.

In respect of your own situation, section 9 of the HASWA stipulates that nobody should have to pay for PPE or indeed any other aspect of Health & Safety - such as safety training for example.

There is a grey area in respect of agency workers, however I get the impression that you are employed directly.

PPE is a last resort of hazard control so it seems that there must be some residual risk that has been assessed and deemed that safety footwear is required.

The footwear should be appropriate for the risk(s) that may be encountered during the course of your work and in an ideal world, you should have been given a choice of style of footwear (offering the same protection) due to the fact that the user would be more likely to wear them.

Certainly at one of my former employers, I provided a choice and I found that younger workers went for a trainer type of shoe.

In respect of your question regarding the law, if your organisation has deemed that safety footwear is required, then they MUST provide them. Your obligation under the legislation is that you MUST wear them. A duty of care works both ways.

Although it is impossible to assess what you actually require without assessing your workplace, I would imagine that the main risk within a supermarket bakery environment would be slips due to contaminated flooring.

Are steel toecaps really necessary? Could 'sensible footwear' with slip resistant soles be appropriate for the risk(s)?

"Government Law" does not dictate what type of footwear is required - your company need to assess the appropriate type after considering other controls.

Do not dismiss your occy health department - they are a really useful resource. Talk again to your employer in respect of financing appropriate footwear - they are legally bound to do this and I hope you get this sorted.

An unhappy worker is not a productive one!

RickDawson

these shoes I wear now (with steel toecaps) are what the majority used to get, before they went and sorted the ones that give me problems.

personnel manager knows thw whole situation (she has taken notes) and today I filled in a questionnaire for the reasons.

I reckon that I will just continue using the toecap shoes. and next time I need new, then it will be sorted as to what happens (if i pay extra or what.)

I will have a doctors note / letter (waiting for it to be done) and this will be put in my file.

and I don't think i'll have to do anything else on the matter, unless they want to investigate further or try other shoes.