Working feet and footwear - TUC H&S guidance

[estelle]

I'm still awaiting a pair of shoes - any shoes will do at this point....

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I'm still awaiting a pair of shoes - any shoes will do at this point....

Life of Brian flashed before my eyes when I read that

[estelle]

really?

still nae shoes

[TrueBlueTerrier]

really?

still nae shoes

Have you seen it - the scene where brian takes off one shoe so his "followers" do and then argue about it being a sign and what message he is trying to convey.

Probably mostly down to my strange thought process.

[fishtank]

really?

still nae shoes

Have you seen it - the scene where brian takes off one shoe so his "followers" do and then argue about it being a sign and what message he is trying to convey.

Probably mostly down to my strange thought process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf76lynP ... r_embedded#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;!

About 3.30 in.....it is funny.

[DGP1]

really?

still nae shoes

Have you seen it - the scene where brian takes off one shoe so his "followers" do and then argue about it being a sign and what message he is trying to convey.

Probably mostly down to my strange thought process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf76lynP ... r_embedded#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;!

About 3.30 in.....it is funny.

It's not funny, he's a very naughty boy

[estelle]

been a while since I'd seen that - thanks for the laugh

but seriously, I'd settle for just one wee pair of shoes right now!

[BELIAL]

07 October 2010

LTB 867/10 -Working feet and footwear - TUC Health and Safety at work guidance

No. 867/10
Ref EX10
Date: 7 October 2010


To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues


Working feet and footwear - TUC Health and Safety at work guidance

Many workers face problems with their feet or legs because of the wrong footwear or because they are forced to stand for too long. Feet bear the brunt of the daily working life. Prolonged standing, badly fitting footwear, high heels, slippery surfaces and falling
objects are just some of the dangers to which we expose our feet in the workplace.

It is estimated that around 80 per cent of the adult population has some form of foot problem. This can vary from aches and pains, swelling and corns to fungal infections and varicose veins. While not all of these are a result of work activities, a large proportion are.

Our feet are exposed to many dangers at work and, like every other danger, the risk can be avoided or removed if employers take simple straightforward steps to protect their workers.
The biggest risk probably comes from slips and trips. This can be caused by inappropriate footwear but often the problem is not just with the footwear but the actual
surface. Employers should make sure that floors are kept clean and dry and, where that is not possible, special flooring may need to be installed.

Attached find a copy of the TUC Guide for Safety Reps "Working feet and footwear -
Health and safety at work guidance" - for your information and assistance.
This Guide covers:
· Employers’ duties
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
- The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1999.

· Choosing footwear
· Tips on getting the right fit.
· Choosing the best safety shoes and what to look for

Workers should be able to wear the footwear that is appropriate to their occupation, the task for which it is intended, working environment, and feet, i.e. a good comfortable fit. That means employers should ensure that the risk assessment they have to do by law includes risks to the feet as well as slipping risks, and if its PPE safety footwear there must be no cost to the worker.
· Standing
While inadequate footwear can cause problems for feet, so can prolonged standing. The HSE estimates that almost 200,000 people are suffering occupational lower limb disorders caused or made worse by their work. Often one of the causes is prolonged standing.
· Safety reps’ checklist
· Further information section





Yours Sincerely



Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[durban1984]

I have wide feet and they royal mail don not make wide fit shoes, i have been advised that i must wear wide fitting shoes. i have taken in doctors letters and receipt for the shoes but not been paid out... each time i buy shoes i have to take in a new doctors note in saying my feet are wide fit, this costs me £15 each time but my feet are never going change to fit into normal shoes! so why should i keep getting a drs letter and now i am told Royal Mail will not pay me for my shoes and i must wear their shoe or i am not covered if i have an accident. Surely i am not the only person with wide feet...

[stokes11eg]

I have wide feet and they royal mail don not make wide fit shoes, i have been advised that i must wear wide fitting shoes. i have taken in doctors letters and receipt for the shoes but not been paid out... each time i buy shoes i have to take in a new doctors note in saying my feet are wide fit, this costs me £15 each time but my feet are never going change to fit into normal shoes! so why should i keep getting a drs letter and now i am told Royal Mail will not pay me for my shoes and i must wear their shoe or i am not covered if i have an accident. Surely i am not the only person with wide feet...

what a ridiculous situation! check this out with head office, it may be your Manager is coming the ham. I only needed to supply one doctors letter, and although I haven't always been paid for the shoes I but, I usually have no problem.

[estelle]

would you believe me if I said I'm still waiting on shoes?

[Sippin40oz]

Been there 7 months and iam still waiting on shoes as well.

Why is it so important we wear specially tested RM shoes when everyone complains they are sh**?

[estelle]

whilst they are sh*t and need replacing every three months, if you have a slip trip or fall and aren't wearing RM issue footwear, it will more than likely be deemed your fault.

[estelle]

now, you may find this difficult to believe - but, I HAVE SHOES!!!!

I asked my boss to put in a request to replace these new ones now, that way when I need them in a few months time, they might arrive.

It actually feels like Christmas.

[Sippin40oz]

So technically for all us that havnt been issued with 'safety' shoes, Royal mail is breaking 'The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974' and 'The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1999' by sending us out without proper PPE!