Posted By Paul B Moore
A risk assessment shows it to be necessary for painters to wear protective footwear. One painter has produced a GP's letter "excusing" him from compliance on very dubious grounds. Previously he has been allowed to select his own ppe footwear without restriction to ensure comfort and fit.
It is the organisation's intention that he either complies or is reassigned a different job due to "medical" reasons (should these prove genuine).
We see no way that we (or the painter) can waive our duty of care or our liabilities for his safety. Are we being too simplistic in insisting that this is a case of doing things safely or not at all? Has anyone had a similar experience or know of a solution?
In the meantime he is being referred to an occupational physician for a second opinion.

Posted By Paul B Moore
Hi John,

At present he just wears trainers - though he won't accept the current very stylish trainer-style ppe footwear.

Posted By Paul B Moore
John,

Some of the most comfortable footwear I ever had was ppe so I don't understand this individual's problems at all (although I think there is another agenda here with regard to his employment). His GP refers to "pain and skin lacerations" but I am also concerned as to whether this letter is actually genuine - hence our intention to refer him to "the big doctor".
I agree that modern ppe shoes are the least likely to cause or exacerbate foot conditions.
I would intend to insist that he wears them, with or without a doctor's letter. If he cannot comply then we will offer him alternative employment.
Paul

Posted By James M
A risk assessment will show that all personnel have to wear safety footwear as there is a significant risk of injury to their feet. Other means of removing the risk or reducing it are not suitable therefore PPE is used as the last resort.

Therefore by allowing the person to work in this area without wearing safety footwear he is still being exsposed to the risk.

You can either remove the risk or the person. If you allow the person to work there knowing that he is exposed to this risk and he has an accident, have you acted responsibly as a health and safety professional and a supervisor or manager??

My answer would be no. If he can't or won't wear the PPE he can't work there. Simple.

Posted By rjhills
Used to have problems similar to the one you describe.
As well as risk assessment, we have ssow.
There is a copy of relevent ssow given to all wearers of PPE at induction.
Also, site rules, which are enforced by site manager or supervisor ensure that any person not having corect ppe when trying to access site are sent home for the missing ppe.
Very few repeats.
Tool box talks to employees also help.When employees are appraised of reasons, most are reasonable. Those who are not have a choice.
It works for us!!

Posted By Dave Dowan
Hi All
We had this problem a couple of years ago , the risk assessment specified safety boots , the employee said he could not wear the issue ones , we had him fitted with the Gucci versions, 6 months down the line he again said he could not wear boots ( manager changed and he tried it on )
We stood our ground and said as we had done all we could AFARP and the job required employees to wear safety foot wear he would be assigned another (less lucrative) post
Guess what his feet got better
Dave

Posted By Karen Todd
We sent our complainers along with their safety shoes to a chiropodist.

Some did have genuine feet problems and needed custom made inserts (can't remember the proper name for them at the minute). They had to wear the inserts not just with their safety shoes, but with their ordinary shoes as well.

Most were very grateful, as until that point they didn't know there was anything wrong with their feet.

Non-genuine complaints soon died out.

KT