Posted By Dave Dowan Hi I had a similar problem a few years ago. Yes you can try and source more suitable footwear but if he will not or cannot wear them he cannot carry out a task which has been risk assessed as requiring safety footwear. A waiver signed by the employee has no standing, Dave

Posted By lomaxa To clarify What the podiatrist has said is that the toes need a free range of movement and that the nature of the rigid toe cap can mean that the toes bash against them inside thus over long periods causing damage and sores. This has been confirmed in writing. I can't comment on my personal opinion hence why I'm asking for advice from you guys. But at the same time obviously I must react to what i am being told. I think I'll pass this to my HR team to look into. Thanks

Posted By Roderick Glen I've just run this thread past my wife, who is (a) a doctor of 27 years experience and (b) has been diabetic for 36 years. I quote "I am sure that if suitably sized safety footwear can be sourced, there is no medical reason why this individual cannot wear it". The rider here is obviously *suitably sized" which may require assessment by your employee's medical adviser.

Posted By Garry Mcglaid I am diabetic, have worked in construction all my days, and i see my safety boot as an essential line of defence to my feet. From a personal slant, i have never experienced any problems from circulation with safety footwear, not that i,m saying this lad does,nt have differing issues with his circumstances Maybe a little bit of education to the bloke on the problems from not having protection, and the dangers to damage to his feet might work mate. Regards

Posted By Tabs Speak to the shoe manufacturers - I imagine that if this is a problem, they have already had to deal with it before. Talk to the bigger companies.

Posted By Mike Foulds Hi I am based in the distribution sector, we have key rules, Hi Viz and Safety shoes. If you can not or will not wear them, sorry you can't come in. I think your person is pushing their luck plenty of shoes out there, if the feet need to breath take the shoes off at break times! Firm but fair Mike

Posted By louis2002 Hi I work for a very large company and as such we do have quite a few people who are diabetic and i have to make special arrangements for them in terms of PPE (Footwear) if you would like to contact me i can provide you with what i use within my company, Wearing of PPe is a mandatory requirement off our gangways and as such we have gon to great lengths and great research to make sure our personnel are catered for. You may want to remind them of the HSWA section comment. Employees have a duty to: take reasonable care of their own health and safety … … and anyone else who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Co-operate with their employer to enable legal obligations to be met (PPE wearing ) etc. Regards Chris harris

Posted By Phil Rose I am diabetic and am a bit surprised at the podiatrist's approach. I can't understand how the podiatrist can conclude that no safety footwear would be suitable. I suspect there may be something else going on here! Do bear in mind DDA and make reasonable adjustments. Waiver!! The provision of PPE is a statutory duty - you can't waive that!

Posted By Andy Brazier Neil - you may well be right that in this situation safety boots are essential, but I don't believe we have nearly enough information to make that judgement. In fact if it were the case I would seriously worry about the other controls in place that allow such risks to exist. Your view seems to be that safety boots are essential. If there was a law that said that I would agree. However, there is not. It is based on risk assessment which involves judgement. The point is that the measures in put in place reduces risk rather than eliminate it. Safety boots do not prevent all foot injuries, they just reduce some. I think if we followed your reasoning that toe caps are providing valuable protection I would then ask why don't we use steel shin pads or kevlar trousers? These could protect you against injury. If we look at other disabilities. A blind person must be at more risk of bumping into hazards, trips etc. than others. Someone in a wheel chair will find it more difficult to escape from a fire. Do we stop these people working altogether because their risks are greater than people without disability? Some may argue we should, but I certainly do not.

Posted By Crim PPE is a last resort! Does anyone remember that? Is there a trade union or employee safety rep? If so get him/her involved. You should go back to your risk assessments for the work and see if you can eliminate the risk, then if all else fails the employee is unable to remain in that employment so you should release him. Speak to the footwear suppliers as has been suggested earlier, they will probably have the answer? HR need to get involved. I think if that was put to the individual you may see the position easing a little? Good luck.

Posted By jervis Depends on what your bloke has told the medical people as there seems to be a lot of people with similar experience with out problems. Have you had this in writing from the medic or is it what your worker is saying. Maybe he has a problem wearing or dislikes wearing them !