Posted By Merv Newman I would allow (nay, encourage) employees to wear their safety shoes out of work. The fact that he gave some lout a better kicking because he had them on sounds quite positive to me. (you did say HE was assaulted and therefore defending himself, didn't you ?) And I cannot see you having any liability as employer. I've always worn mine when going home. (coincidence : just come back from doing a bit of shopping, wearing safety shoes. They are SO comfortable) I know quite a few companies who think nothing of their employees doing the same. Sometimes employees asked if they could borrow gloves, hard hats or goggles as they had something to do at home for which decent PPE would be useful. I always agreed and was pleased that they were thinking of safety during the planning stage. Merv

Posted By Catman I agree with Merv, particularly as this attitude shows that you are genuinely interested in the safety of your employees as opposed to just protecting the company interest. Cheers

Posted By Merv Newman Good point from descarte. But the question was on warehouse and engineering workshops so chemicals may not be a significant issue. Most company cars have a jack and some kind of spanner for removing wheel nuts. If a company rep used on of those in a fit of road rage, where would be the company liability for having "provided a weapon" ? Nah Merv

Posted By Gary IMD(UK) Another gem from Merv! Shopping again Merv? I understand a reputable high street supermarket is currently offering a 'Buy one, get one free' on some select red wines! Mind you, don't be using the bottle as an offensive weapon on the trudge back to the car park! Take care... It's nearly Friday!

Posted By Roy Scott2 i heard of a safety consultant who had to go barefoot through airport because they were not allowed wear safety boots passed security point. the shoes had to go into baggage, how mad is that!

Posted By Peter Longworth "The fact that he gave some lout a better kicking because he had them on sounds quite positive to me." On what basis are you calling the person that was assaulted a lout. Sounds more like a victim to me.

Posted By Peter Longworth Duly checked, it reads "The question was raised following a report of an incident whereby an individual walking home had assaulted someone while still wearing his safety shoes and inflicted serious damage to his victim as a result." It says to me that the employee was the lout who used his safety footwear to improve the effectiveness of the kicking. I think I'd be pretty miffed to be branded a lout just for being on the receiving end of a safety shoe enhanced kicking.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter Janette My steel toe capped motorcycle boots saved my toes when I had a front wheel puncture at 70 mph. Paul

Posted By Helen Horton Hi - a bit off the track but having to walk barefoot through airports isn't restricted just to having arrived there in safety boots. I had to carry my shoes through Brussels airport in a security sealed plastic bag as there was a metal pin and plate in the heel of the shoe that set off the detector. Joking apart I don't drive in my safety shoes as I find them too bulky (earlier post refers) and also in the case of my boots with the steel midsole I can't feel the car through the soles. Like one of the others who have responded I also never discouraged people from using work PPE to do their DIY in as it gave me a bit more confidence that they would actually be in work the following day (or week if it was at the weekend) and wouldn't have ended up in the local A&E.

Posted By Merv Newman Just because it's Friday, I've had a count-up on how many pairs of safety shoes/boots we have in the house. 6 The black ones I wear with my grey suit (management meetings)(and to go shopping), the brown ones I wear with my tweed jacket (employee training), the boots I now use for gardening (had to buy them from DIY shop when I realised half-way to client that I had forgotten black pair) and the larger sized boots with the left one cut open at the back to accomodate the plaster I had to wear at the time of a customer visit) plus the shoes and boots belonging to my son. It seems that I only have two pairs (black, brown) of "civilian" shoes. (black for rock 'an roll dancing (you are all invited to "La Belle Epoque", Saturday, 8pm) (Can't remember the last time I wore the brown) so the odds are that I'll be wearing me safety boots in real life Am I waffling again ? Apologies to those who took offence at my previous response on this thread. You are right. I am a lout. Is that better or worse than being a lerte ? Lamb steaks with zest of lemon, crushed new potatoes, cherry tomatoes and wilted spinach. Beaujolais as it's a nice day. Right. Back to the manual handling risk assessment training package. Merv