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vincehoward  
#1 Posted : 29 June 2025 12:40:06(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
vincehoward

I work for a company in the waste sector.

I have advised against the wearing of shorts, provided a rationale, and it is covered in site activity risk assessments.

Senior leaders, are suggesting employees who wish to wear shorts sign a form / waiver accepting liability in the event of injury that could have been prevented had they been wearing long trousers!

Views would be appreciated.

Many thanks

George_Young  
#2 Posted : 29 June 2025 13:16:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
George_Young

whilst it is not my area of expertise and I have never came across this before, In my opinion any waiver of liability would not be worth the paper it is written on as the employer can not sign/give away their responsibiliies of keeping employees safe.

This is just my opinion, so could be wrong.

thanks 1 user thanked George_Young for this useful post.
peter gotch on 29/06/2025(UTC)
Kate  
#3 Posted : 29 June 2025 16:11:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I don't think you're wrong!

peter gotch  
#4 Posted : 29 June 2025 17:58:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi Vince, basic legal principle that an employer cannot contract out of their criminal (statutory) responsibilities.

So, unless you can risk assess out of the need for clothing that covers the full length of the legs, then any "waiver" is unlikely to be worth the paper (or electronic equivalent) that it is written on!

When it comes to a civil legal claim the waiver might lead a Court to conclude that there was an elemet of contributory negligence. so a reduction on any monetary damages due after an accident, but probably not much as the prime duty of care is on the employer.

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