Posted By Steve Sedgwick Ian check out the HSE guidance on this. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg174.pdf Remember, uniforms may not be PPE regards Steve

Posted By Jason Gould I don't know the specifics on this as in my experiance you find that some employers may make you wait for 3 months before issuing PPE, others will charge you if you leave the company within a period of time after being issued and finaly some employers are very good when ppe is addressed as an issue. Perhaps someone who knows the "in and outs" could explain why they get away with this and what the benefits and implications are apart from fact employee could say smash his toes in on second day. Some companies may offer the bare necessety boot etc and employees will pay extra for more comfort & style etc. I think they are allowed to do that as long as the bare boot is suitable for the environment i.e. anti static etc. People who face the sharp end of the stick are temporay workers.

Posted By Clive Lowery Ian, had an interesting conversation the other day in a Safety Equipment Providers Premises when enquiring about the cost of Satey Boots he stated "As part of a Government incentive, if I were to purchase the boots privately they are exempt VAT whereas if an employer was purchasing, they would be VAT rated" not heard of that before but no doubt it could influence some employers to try and get employees to purchase their own boots! Irrespective it doesn't get round Section 9 of HASAWA. PS I didn't buy the boots as the colour didn't suit.