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gsowden  
#1 Posted : 14 August 2012 13:26:16(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
gsowden

Dear all, I have to provide a team of 35 guys safety boots every year. It is very difficult to please all, and keep everyone happy. Would I be able to give my lads an allowance each year to go and purchase their own boots and I check them for suitability, or do I have to provide them with boots. I am aware some may only go and spend a minimal amount, however I am not worried as long as they are suitable and I stop hearing consistent moaning about wef feet.
JYoung  
#2 Posted : 14 August 2012 13:41:57(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
JYoung

Companies I have worked for have tended to provide a selection of boots at a similar cost and provision of protection (steel mid sole, toe caps etc) and let the lads choose which they wanted. If providing an allowance it might be worth writing a policy for Safety Boots that states the specific requirements that they must have, that way they are less likely to buy any old set of safety boots (bit extreme perhaps but worth considering). Theoretically any PPE required should be supplied by the employer, so might be best to request some pairs to trial and let the lads decide which would be the most suitable for the work they do and then provide a selection to choose from.
Lawlee45239  
#3 Posted : 14 August 2012 13:43:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Lawlee45239

gsowden wrote:
Dear all, I have to provide a team of 35 guys safety boots every year. It is very difficult to please all, and keep everyone happy. Would I be able to give my lads an allowance each year to go and purchase their own boots and I check them for suitability, or do I have to provide them with boots. I am aware some may only go and spend a minimal amount, however I am not worried as long as they are suitable and I stop hearing consistent moaning about wef feet.
What have management said?? And have you asked the guys themselves, some as you say will just buy cheap ones, while others may actually care abou their feet and the type of footwear they wear for 8-10 odd hours a day.
teh_boy  
#4 Posted : 14 August 2012 13:48:13(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
teh_boy

gsowden wrote:
Dear all, I and I stop hearing consistent moaning about wef feet.
That will never happen :) - or am I just a cynic. There have been large lengthy debates about this before.... http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...spx?g=posts&t=100861
Safety butterfly  
#5 Posted : 14 August 2012 13:54:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Safety butterfly

MY company provide employees with a catalogue to choose from, they have an allowance of £40 anything over is payed for by the employee, this way you can monitor the suitability of the footwear.
Invictus  
#6 Posted : 14 August 2012 14:13:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Invictus

There is nothing wrong with giving an allowance. Look at the standard you want them to have and then just check as you have already suggested. The duty is not to charge section 9 and regulation 4 PPE regultions. 'shall ensure that suitable PPE is provided' doesn't say the employer has to go out and purchase it.
aland76  
#7 Posted : 14 August 2012 14:31:28(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
aland76

I had the same issues with staff purchasing boots that weren't fit for purpose when I started with this company a couple of months ago. The office staff would hand over 2-3 catalogues and just let the ops choose what they wanted. Two weeks ago I rang a well-known Safety equipment supplier regarding this issue, they sent a rep around and basically between me and him we picked around 8 pairs of suitable safety boots (the choice was based on suitability and durability rather than cost). They are now providing a discounted price structure for these boots and will produce a poster I can present to the guys when it comes to renewal time. I think this makes life easier for everyone concerned as there is choice available yet I know the operators are wearing sensible boots for the processes on site, plus they're not trawling through 40+ pages of boots to find one they like.
Debbie O'Mara  
#8 Posted : 14 August 2012 14:51:11(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Debbie O'Mara

I agree with AlanD76. PPE suppliers are happy to visit site and recommend a choice of footwear and will help you put visual stuff together. Its also very important that the PPE you decide on is based on a risk assessment of the activities they'll be carrying out and that you build in to your policy, e,ployees responsibilities to report damage oir wear and tear and identify a renewal/replacement process. If you get there buy in during the risk assessment and selection stage, they're more likely to wear them and look after them.
malcarleton  
#9 Posted : 15 August 2012 08:23:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
malcarleton

Our company has an arrangement with a local retailer of safety footwear whereby the employee picks up a form from HR which he takes to the retailer. The form instructs the retailer that the employee needs safety footwear that bears the ASTMF-2413-05 standard, once he's chosen his footwear the employee signs the form to say that the footwear is a good fit and the retailer signs it to say that it meets the required standard. The retailer copies the form and the employees brings the original signed form back to me, I check the footwear standard and stamp the form then it goes back to HR. Once a month an HR rep goes to the retailer and collects all the form copies and between HR and Finances they settle the bill. Phew... sounds complicated but actually its very staighforward. The employees are entitled to a new pair once a year or earlier if I sign a memo stating that thier footwear is unfit for purpose due to fair wear and tear.
Jeff Watt  
#10 Posted : 15 August 2012 09:23:59(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jeff Watt

@malcarleton You sound like a good influencer Mal, managing to get all those depts working together on what would seem a mundane issue to some. Well done mate. Jeff
chris42  
#11 Posted : 15 August 2012 10:04:50(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris42

Why do you feel it is necessary to replace the boots every year ?, some may last longer, some a shorter period of time. You could still provide an allowance if you wish, but on a new for old basis. You would have thought that the bulk buying power of the company would allow the men to get more for the money if purchased through the company rather than as individuals. As suggested above get a good supplier on board and have a range they can chose from.
MichaelMorrisroe  
#12 Posted : 15 August 2012 10:19:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MichaelMorrisroe

As a Business, we have supply partners in regard to PPE. With boots, we agree a number of styles, regardless of cost, to which the employees can choose. He would complete a form to which would be handed to me, and I order the boots as required. We give all our employees an allowance of £35 per annum and anything over that is, by signed agreement, deducted from their salaries. Those with size 15 feet have a higher allowance, as these boots are difficult to source at a reasonable cost. It is also helpful for those who like to dress for work in style!! You know what these young guys are like with their Timberalnds and Doc Martens.
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