Posted By Raymond Rapp Harry The obvious answer is to purchase one safety shoe at size 7.5 and other at 8! However, judging from your other points it seems there is an underlying issue with this particular employee. Perhaps a frank discussion to get at the root of the problem is in order. Regards Ray

Posted By Andrew Day Hi harry i take it you have gone down the route of risk assessment and found it necessary to implement a footwear policy. First try and be subtle by placing pictures of deformed toes in his/her area of work and hope they can take the message that it is for their safety. Based on the grounds of the Health and safety at work act section 7 that it is their duty as employees to take reasonable care for themselves and to co-operate with the employer and to comply with the act, if this does not work... a disiplinary action should be made. In the first instance it worked for me.. I would like to hear other views on this matter Hope this helps A

Posted By Matt Bown Hi Since July 05? Assuming all efforts were made on the lead up to this date to roll out a new policy then i feel that 6 months is a reasonable time. Is it that the employee has genuine issues with footwear compatability? Is there a secondary/underlying issue or are they being obstructive? Have you tried paying for an paediatrist appointment to get a professional assessment ? This would support a case either way. If you have occ health input this may help with undertsnading underlying issues maybe? Can the employee be relocated to another task/area if its an incomatability/medical issue? Will speaking to shopfloor colleagues assist the process? Has anyone taken an open and honest conversation with them about the need and their obligations? IE line manager or HR or are they avoiding this? IF after all reasonable attempts have been taken, you may be left with a disciplinay process to achieve compliance. Good luck, Regards, matt

Posted By The toecap Sack them for getting on your nerves

Posted By Richard Altoft Move them away from the hazard, fit the job to the person by making it only as risky as his footwear will stand so either remove the hazards or protect against them in some otherway or if the hazard remains and PPE is the only possible (AFARP) response to the need to control a risk then replace the person. Legal precedents exist, you cannot by law allow a person to be injured just because you and the footwear industry cannot (AFARP) protect them. Hard but that is the position R

Posted By fudge when it comes to safety footwera i think its important because if something heavy falls on your foot then ur gonna break your foot but if you wear the safety footwera then you won't

Posted By Chris Matthews I had a similar problem with the size issue some months ago, this was overcome through bringing in our suppliers reps to talk over requirements, try various types (different makes are cut to different sizes even though the labels all show the same size!), we found a pair that done the job. Give your rep/supplier a call (they want your business). Sounds as though your real issue is deeper than ill fitting footwear though, and you need to overcome the attitude/behaviour of the employee. Good luck Chris

Posted By Dave Wilson One of the first pieces of case law on Contributory negligence was an issue just like this, the employer was found liable for the incident but the injured person was held 99% liable for his own injury. I get the feeling that this person is 'avin a laff!' give him / her suitable footwear and if not worn go down the discipline route, harsh but his TU would not back him in a claim if he refused to wear! The TU have been fighting for cdecades for worker protection, get his TU Rep to ave a word!