Rank: Forum user 
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Dear all
(taking into account the excellent summer we are having)
our operatives have requested baseball caps when working in the summer
when attaching the waste collection bin to the bin lift operatives must stay within a 2 mtr exclusion zone once connected to the mechanism
my concern is due to the peak of the cap it may obscure the vision as to the location of the bin lift
what do you do? provide reduced peak caps? or caps with the flap on the back
thanks
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I'm guessing the idea of the baseball cap is to shade the eyes from the sun ? which was the original request, now you say about not seeing the mechanism in use when wearing these caps ?
I think if you kept your head looking forward and tried to look up without tilting your head back then the peak of the cap will limit your view but normally when we look up we tilt our head back, hat and all and this will allow you to see, i don't think there will be any issues with operatives saying that didn't see something because of the peak of their caps
This would be an idea way to protect workers from the glare of the sun, So don't work too much about not being able to see, If you need to look up then tilt your head, like we all do.
Any protection against working in direct sunlight would be welcomed by staff especially with the risk of Skin cancer.
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Provide small peak bucket hats (cricketers) hats instead of baseball caps, problem solved
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Why not get yourself a baseball cap and go out with a team and see what it is like, then write your policy or risk assessment from that and buy the appropriate kit.
You can ask them about any other issues they have whilst you do this.
You will get a more information than you will get here, plus you will be well respected by the people doing the job for valuing them and their opinions.
Ian
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Professional baseball players, some pro tennis players all wear baseball caps and it doesnt restrict their vision....
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Rank: Super forum user
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IanDakin gives an excellent response at #5.
OS&H professionals who are able from time to time to accompany or 'shadow' people doing various types of work tend to find it a very effective way of finding out about the hazards and issues faced by such people along with the effectiveness or otherwise of related control measures and existing precautions. Also, people who actually do tasks on a regular basis tend to think of ways in which they could be made easier, quicker, more productive and safer. Unfortunately, in my experience, too few supervisors and other line managers tend not to heed constructive suggestions made by employees who they regard as underlings. Therefore, as IanDakin suggests, anyone who discusses (i.e. listening and talking) with people the work they do is likely to be respected by them. This can apply to others as well as OS&H professionals - those who saw the "Back to the Floor" documentaries some years ago on BBC TV may recall examples of senior bosses improving their standing by working alongside employees and learning about what they do and the challenges they face.
Graham B
p.s. The employees featured in the "Back to the Floor" programmes always knew the status of who was working alongside them. By contrast, the senior bosses featured in "Undercover Boss" programmes (Channel 4) always disguised their identity and purpose before working alongside employees in their organisations. Part of the fun in watching "Undercover Boss" was to see how many employees became suspicious of or even challenged the usually middle-aged newcomers unexpectedly assigned to work with them. Even if the "trying out a new career/type of work" explanation given for the appearance of a newcomer seemed plausible, the fact that they were accompanied by someone filming them "for a documentary" was surely a big giveaway!!! :-)
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Rank: Forum user
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where would this end up?
If they want such an item should they just obtain their own as its not PPE and therefore not a legal requirement to provide it, just like corporate clothing. Next it would be sunglasses, flask, etc.
Having said, I see some highway operative using hi-vis caps, is this an option??
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Rank: Super forum user 
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RP wrote:where would this end up?
If they want such an item should they just obtain their own as its not PPE and therefore not a legal requirement to provide it, just like corporate clothing. Next it would be sunglasses, flask, etc.
Having said, I see some highway operative using hi-vis caps, is this an option?? No they would have a cap with a bottle each side for rehydration, I agree with you it is not PPE therefore they can supply thier own. Just tell them the type they can have if they want to wear one, otherwise you wiill end up in an arguement with the workers who don't want to wear them.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If I was still working and somebody told me that collection crews had requested to be provided with baseball caps, I think my response would be that the nature of the work is such that there is no good reason for such caps to be provided. As for the advisability of crew members providing and wearing their own caps, my answer would be fine provided that whatever caps the crew members choose to wear do not impair their field of vision and their capacity to work safely. By contrast I would advise against crew members wearing hoods at work because their hearing as well as peripheral vision could be impaired.
Though I probably wouldn't go and 'shadow' a collection crew simply to assess baseball caps I still stand by my earlier comments about the overall benefits of OSH professionals accompanying and talking with people doing their work.
Also, it would be interesting to see how those requesting the provision of baseball caps would react if they were told that such caps would be in corporate colours and emblazoned with a company/organisation badge or motif!!! :-)
Graham B
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