I am experiencing a few problems at work. Currently the people working on the factory floor have to wear safety footwear even if the job they are doing just involves sitting behind a desk shuffling papers. The problem I have is that the Board of directors will come down on to the factory floor and bring visitors with them and none of them wear safety footwear. I have challenged this behaviour and pointed out that safety is led from the top and that MD's etc should set an example (you can imagine how this went down). Anyway I have been summoned to a meeting next week as the MD believes I am "babbling" on about nothing and believes the hazards are not the same. I would not mind as much if we had dedicated walkways but we don't as the MD wont let us mark the floor out. Any ideas how I can handle this one

Judex We already provide safety shoes for visitors however management state that the risks are not the same as it for the staff so the visitors don't have to wear them (don't know why I am there then). No activities can be stopped as the visitors want to see the process in operation. MD does not like to wear safety footwear. I have listed the reasons why I feel that visitors should wear safety shoes and he has stated on several of the reasons "you are blabbing on and I disregard that comment as I don't feel it is relevant" One of the comments was section 3 HSW act 1974 having a duty to protect others not employed by us and he simply said that does not apply. I know health and safety is hard work but really does it need to be? If HSE came on site and found something wrong then I would be to blame and he would ask why I did not know about that particular issue? Now when I challenge him about an issue I am just pushed to one side. And on top of it all I made be made redundant in a month Oh the joys

It is difficult to coment, as like all threads we have limited information, as we dont know what you do in the factory, what the factory is like, in relation to routes pedestrian/veh etc etc . the first thing I would ask is , you said all wear safety footware even paper shufflers, why? what does the risk assessment say ? complete a risk assessment for management and visitors, if there is a problem, this will identfy and then use this as argument to management. Another route could be, sell it to management that when visitors arrive on site they get a brief site induction and issued PPE before being allowed in the factory floor.. professional !! The main thing here is you are pushing for the right reasons, as you see a problem! not because some operatives on factory floor are asking why they have to wear safety footwear, and management dont To finish off Cannopener is spot on, you are there to advice management, you wont win every fight, and if you are really concerned, do it in writting/e-mail, but this is where your own skills come in, its how you do it without ruffling feathers and make a valid case to why they should wear safety footwear

If you feel there is a significant risk of injury to visitor’s feet, despite the relatively short exposure time compared to employees, why not agree a safe walking route marked on a map of the shop floor. If then visitors and management want to take someone off the safe walking route, which they will, it is under the instruction that the management person acting as tour guide takes responsibility for their visitors safety (ie nothing will drop on their feet). Get everyone to agree and this can be used to explain if the workforce complains. If the MD would allow the floor to be marked to designate non safety shoe areas then some employees may not need safety shoes and so the company could save money. Obviously a walk route to the safe area which is also exempt from safety shoes will also be required. Without knowing what exactly the hazard is, it is hard to help any further.

Hi David There has been some very good advice given here especially regarding not being able to win every fight! I do sympathise with you as I was once told by my MD that "we are predominantly a manufacturing company and such production has to take precedence over such things as health and safety" We had a very good discussion about that one. But 11 years later and the management view has changed completely, it's a long road but never loose sight of why you came into H&S, to protect your fellow employees. The advise about your risk assessments for foot wear are worth looking into as it will save the company money and show your MD that you have the a business head as well as a health and safety one. I am a General Manager of three manufacturing plants and we only have designated areas and tasks where safety footwear is worn and I can only remember one minor injury in the last 11 years, severity x risk x cost. I hope you are not made redundant as he needs you more than he know, good luck and don't loose your passion. MG

Here's an idea; you don't have to mark lines on the floor to have designated walkways. Can you just get a floor plan and shade in those areas where PPE is required. Then put the poster up. As a safeguard for yourself do you have anything in writing (e mails) between you and the MD that you can take with you should there ever be an accident?

Hi David, Hope all goes well with the job. I think your claims culture and the number of foot injuries you have had or not had is the area you should look into first. You could then do a cost analysis for and against showing the savings. Sadly many MD's think they are exempt H & S even when the evidence is there staring them in the face. They only see pounds, shillings and pence. I think someone else has already said keep it all documented and only fight the battles you know you can win. Good luck Clive

Hello David How about looking at it from this point of view; chances are you won't win this one as the MD obviously knows better, but to cover your backside as far as possible you could do a risk assessment which will identify that without walkways safety boots must be worn by all personnel, including managers, MD and visitors. Then communicate the RA to all and leave it at that, try and enforce it with the workforce as far as possible. If you are greeting or inducting the visitors you could say that safety shoes are a requirement but you personally can't enforce it but have identified the risk and that you have left it to the MD to decide on enforcement in their case. I would suggest a quiet, calm and cheerful word with the MD at your meeting and just say that you believe there is a significant risk to him and the visitors but it's his final decision whether to enforce it or not and that the consequences are as follows: If the accident is serious there's a fighting chance there won't be a prosecution. If a visitor gets hurt they may sue or claim. It does undermine the safety of the workforce making it harder to enforce. If you get hurt (MD) or a visitor I'll say I told you so but if nothing happens you're still not right but have just got away with it. You could finish by saying that you have the best interest of the company at heart but won't go head to head with him as he and the company bear the consequences. Some people never learn unless it goes wrong and I think you've got one there. Strangely enough I had similar problems as a safety manager in a construction firm, it wasn't until after a section 2 prosecution and a few biggish compensation claims that the directorship realised I wasn't blabbing. Hope you don't lose your job but good luck with the job hunt if you do.