Posted By Chris G I came across what at first view is a jobsworth risk adversion situation situation, but the more I think about it the futher into grey areas I shift. This is a genuine incident on Saturday morning. Weston Supermare have a security gaurd stationed at the enterance to the pier, in part to deny enterance to anyone not wearing suitable shoes. The reason - risk of splinters. Chris, I wasn't allowed on the pier, G

Posted By Tabs I don't think so ... most places have a dress code and part of the reason for dress code is protection. If I saw someone walking around the workplace in stocking feet I would ask them to put shoes on. A wooden pier of a 100-or-so years is bound to have an on-going programme of maintenance, but it is not infallible. One could reasonably assume a risk assessment to mention splinters - and they may have had some recent occurrences of injury. It doesn't replace their duty to keep the splinter hazards low as reasonably practicable - but it does provide an easy extra control.

Posted By Raymond Rapp Perhaps the answer might be to provide an assortment of flip flops...or would that also require training!

Posted By Andy Petrie Most piers in the uk have structural defects and also have huge potential for fires due to the old dry wood used, I would have thought that there would have been other risk reduction measures that would have taken a priority over splinters! Saying that I'd like to see the first compensation case with the ambulance chasing lawyers trying to sue for a splinter off wooden decking.