Hi, can anyone recommend a good UK supplier of safety footwear, suitable for persons with diabetes or other conditions which affect their feet?

Have an employee with diabetes who takes a stock item from a large national supplier of safety equipment - based on their condition it is a reasonable adjustment to allow them to choose something not on the "in house list" as it is £** above the price ceiling.

A personal friend with the condition also chooses the same footwear but his employer has no pricing restrictions.

Both enjoy a German doctor's design made in Britain

It's really good to see such responsible employers ensuring that the "reasonable adjustment" concept is so well incorporated in the way of working - and I'm definitely not being sarcastic!

I do worry about the comment made by roundtuit re the cost; and also Larryl - and I really hope that I've misunderstood what was being said.

The requirements of HSWA Sect 9 to not levy any charge on an employee for "things" done in the pursuit of H&S would appear to be comprehensively breached here. It is simply unlawful to impose any maximum amount that could either force an employee to accept inferior [in this case] PPE; or that may cause them to have to pay any difference for the essential minimum standard that works for them.

Please tell me I've misunderstood.

Frank Hallett

My whole family suffer diabetes and none wear "special" footwear.

Every person should look after their own feet with good hygiene standards, washing, drying, etc. etc.

OK safety footwear has to be issued and it has to be right for the individual but is anyone suggesting here that some safety shoes are not made for people to wear SAFELY?

If an employee was to bring in a note from their GP or Diabetic Nurse then special consideration should be given but otherwise normal footwear should be OK.

Unless as Frank suggests there are restrictions on the cost.

Employees with diabetes and other foot concerns have experienced problems with obtaining comfortable standard footwear. I just wondered if anyone had used a brand or style that proved suitable?

No, cost is not an issue.

Okey Dokey then roundtuit & LarryL - that's answered that question.

Therefore no problem in that area of compliance.

Frank Hallett

Paul,

both my friend and my colleague prefer the Dr Martens Chelsea style safety boot due to its lighter weight, cushion sole etc.. most suppliers are happy to bring around a range of sample footwear to fit a given choice criteria.

In respect of my comment regarding the additional £** H&S will always be a cost to any business and expenditure needs justification as we do not live in a utopian "money no object world". Similar cost discussions have appeared on this forum regarding other H&S / PPE commonly safety spectacles and DSE glasses.

We have a budget derived price point in the suppliers median of up to £60 per pair per employee per issue which provides a wide range of style choices for general protective footwear - the DM's are above this price point but as Frank surmised for a single employee this additional spend is a reasonable adjustment.

I have diabetes and wear the standard off the shelf safety shoes. When I was first diagnosed they told me to wear shoes that had plenty of room for my toes, so the shoe would not rub. Steel toe caps always have lots of room, so personally never had a problem.

It is good that these things are considered though.

Chris