Posted By AndyF During a visit to a hospital today, I was asked to stand on a set of scales to be weighed. When I asked the nurse if I needed to remove my shoes, her reply was that I had to keep my shoes on due to health and safety. During a discussion about this she asked why the HSE made such a rule. I explained that it wasn't the HSE but the hospital's own H&S dept that had made the rules. If the nurse had said that the hospital was worried about someone slipping off the scales (50mm high)and therefore possible litigation, I may have understood, but to use, yet again, the health and safety label as a reason for everything seems to me to be an excuse for not thinking about a problem just banning it. Is this what our profession has become, an excuse for everything? Wouldn't it have been easier to put an anti-slip material on the scales or is that too easy?

Posted By Bob Youel As usual its probably rubbish; as a manager somewhere is not willing to take responsibility so they make a rule and blame H&S - unfortunately not all H&S people are willing to stand up to managers so they role over Technicially all areas are H&S areas Additionally is there a real problem in keeping one's shoes etc on? Noting that for years the same people who now say 'keep on' said take off!

Posted By Lilian McCartney Hi Folks, Since developing a muscle condition two years ago I have to regulalrly attend hospital for tests etc. As on steriods they check my weight. It's used as a general indication of how I'm doing and level of meds to get. It doesn't have to be particualrly accurate, therefore keeping shoes on isn't a problem. Another reason for keeping shoes on is whats invovled taking them off and putting them on again. Not so easy when your hand function is limited and you have difficulty bending. I guess there might be a time issue also involved but I think for infection and mobility its good to keep your shoes on. I know not all people have the mobility problems but all to be treated the same and not have to explain that bending over is really difficult keeps me with some self respect. After all that, it can be classed as H&S reasons then. Merry Christmas to all Lilian

Posted By Martin Forbes There is many potential reasons for this: a) As they are above floor level, working at heights legislation can sadly come into place. b) Hygeine and bacterial reasons. c) Potential to slip across floor when in socks, and potential for spread of fungal infection if barefoot. d) possibility ot standing on sharp objects or other items on the floor that could cause injury. Sadly there is a lot of justification they can use for actions like this. Martin

Posted By anon1234 I think some of the other responses have pointed to the fact that it may be a legitimate health and safety reason (in my opinion probably 'Health'). The real issue for me with people citing health and safety as the reason for something is that they generally have not been told or understood what the health and safety issue is and thus come across as using H&S as an excuse.

Posted By Jean Hi AndyF I used to work in Outpatients Departments. Removing and replacing shoes can be a very time consuming process. Many outpatients can be on a par with a chicken factory. The less physical contact you have with anything that someone else may have touched the safer it is for you. Bearing in mind that many people who visit outpatients may have their immune system compromised. The slightest dirt/infection entering a diabetic foot, could have serious consequences. I am sure your little tootsies smell beautiful, but believe me when I say that some tootsies once escaped from their socks, could smell out an entire outpatient room and then some. There is always the possibility of slipping, firm shoes help prevent this activity taking place. People are generally more stable with their footwear on. Unfortunately nerves come into it, and persons tend to try and hurry for the nurse. Clients may ask the nurse to assist, and she/he might have to bend down....now that raises a lot of issues for her/him If the weight doesn't have to be particularly accurate, then simply wear the same footwear each time you go. What annoys me about the term health and safety being blamed for everything. Is when you ask for an explanation and the person who quotes it, doesn't have a clue how it applies in a particular case.

Posted By ITK A relative of mine works at a small local airport, they had some children visit and one of the tasks was to make paper aeroplanes but they all had to wear goggles when they flew them...another bonkers conkers...

Posted By Frank Newman My local doctor and the hospital allow me to keep my shoes on when being weighed. No mention of H&S, they just make an adjustment. I have just compared the weights of my "city" shoes and my safety shoes (kitchen scales) My city shoes weigh 800 gms, safety shoes weigh 1200 gms. (at 454 gms to the pound you can make your own conversion) Out of the house I most often wear my safety shos. They are so warm and comfortable ! My doctor says that he docks 1 kg for the shoes and 1 kg for clothes. (1kg = 2,24 lbs) Personally I am quite happy with this approach. It stops me from falling over while unlacing/re-lacing and protects me from bugs left by previous weighees. And does it really make a significant difference ? "A poile" (look it up) I weigh 67 kg. (only measured in the privacy of one's own bathroom and while the wife is not looking) Before or after a decent lunch ? Keep yer boots on mate. It's safer and healthier. Merv