Working feet and footwear - TUC H&S guidance

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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

[brothermagrew]

Least we forget on page 9 of the October edition of the Courier the following lines were to be found under the heading March on Safety.

In future - as footwear is now classed as compulsory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like high-vis vests and cycle helmets - failure to wear the right shoes and boots will be dealt with through the conduct code. As with all our PPE, footwear is thoroughly tested to strict safety standards.

NOTE the will be dealt with through the conduct code

[newspaper]

Least we forget on page 9 of the October edition of the Courier the following lines were to be found under the heading March on Safety.

In future - as footwear is now classed as compulsory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like high-vis vests and cycle helmets - failure to wear the right shoes and boots will be dealt with through the conduct code. As with all our PPE, footwear is thoroughly tested to strict safety standards.

NOTE the will be dealt with through the conduct code

woooo didnt notice that so does that apply to managers

[DGP1]

Least we forget on page 9 of the October edition of the Courier the following lines were to be found under the heading March on Safety.

In future - as footwear is now classed as compulsory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like high-vis vests and cycle helmets - failure to wear the right shoes and boots will be dealt with through the conduct code. As with all our PPE, footwear is thoroughly tested to strict safety standards.

NOTE the will be dealt with through the conduct code

woooo didnt notice that so does that apply to managers

Will it apply to everyone.......................you know those who if the manager suddenly stopped could only be removed by a dentist

[fishtank]

As usual with this company the conduct cart comes before the horse.
What happens if you order said Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and it takes 3 months to arrive....conduct code?
Sort yourselves out first before you start looking for ways to stick it to the troops.

[DGP1]

As usual with this company the conduct cart comes before the horse.
What happens if you order said Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and it takes 3 months to arrive....conduct code?
Sort yourselves out first before you start looking for ways to stick it to the troops.

They have a plentyful supply of magnums...........mine only took 4 weeks to come (they were wrong but they did come).

[newspaper]

why no ltb on this first and can atos over rule it or what do i do if my manager has to go out on delivery and is wearing his winklepickers

[DirtyHarry]

Conduct code, my arse.

[DGP1]

why no ltb on this first and can atos over rule it or what do i do if my manager has to go out on delivery and is wearing his winklepickers

[estelle]

I fired off an email the that Moria person and the courier letters asking how they can make it compulsary when they aren't able to supply the current demands.

Situation is I've been waiting since July on new footwear, my boss has chased this up several times.

I've had responses from both so far, so will wait and see what happens

[chelseachris]

A work mate at my office fell and broke his ankle out on his rounds when the manager was informed the first words out of his mouth were "was he wearing royal mail shoes"not how was he, tosser

[AlbertoGranado]

Least we forget on page 9 of the October edition of the Courier the following lines were to be found under the heading March on Safety.

In future - as footwear is now classed as compulsory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like high-vis vests and cycle helmets - failure to wear the right shoes and boots will be dealt with through the conduct code. As with all our PPE, footwear is thoroughly tested to strict safety standards.

NOTE the will be dealt with through the conduct code

The conduct code is the last refuge of a scoundrel, but the 1st point made by a line manager.

[Stormproof]

Can anyone give me the link to the old LTB regarding the 'slippery' Magnums. I want it to pass on to the solicitor dealing with my AOD.

[POSTMAN]

Can anyone give me the link to the old LTB regarding the 'slippery' Magnums. I want it to pass on to the solicitor dealing with my AOD.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 28&t=12130" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =28&t=9188" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 27&p=94365" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stormproof]

Thanks Postman