Safety Boots

Just get some Caterpillars or Timberlands and be done with it.

Having worn safety shoes / boots for over 20 years, these are the only ones that never hurt my feet.
 
tom_e said:
To all those saying it should be provided this isn't the case if you're a contractor IIRC.
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Correct.
Antony101 said:
I have been told that they will help me pay for boots and trousers however they are not included.

My start date is very soon so I want to get something ordered and worn in before my first 12 hour shift.
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That is illegal. As it charging you for any replacements (unless the item is of significant cost and made to measure).

The relevant regulations are the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

Regulation 4 states:
Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.

The accompanying guidance states:
Employers should, therefore, provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

In order to provide PPE for their employees, employers must do more than simply have the equipment on the premises. The employees must have the equipment readily available, or at the very least have clear instructions on where they can obtain it.

By virtue of Section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, no charge can be made to the worker for the provision of PPE which is used only at work. Section 9 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states: "No employer shall levy or permit to be levied on any employee of his any charge in respect of anything done or provided in pursuance of any specific requirement of the relevant statutory provisions". Section 9 applies to these Regulations because they impose a 'specific requirement' - i.e. to provide PPE.
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If company requires to to wear specific items to fall in line with their health and safety policy then they should provide the ppe, its a legal requirement. I would bring this up with HR and ask for advice.

My company provided me with these boots for work.

http://www.safetybootsuk.co.uk/goli...ts-with-steel-toe-caps-&-midsole-p-90561.html

Fantastic boots, very easy to walk in infact I did a 13mile walk in them once. waterproof too.
 
Something Else said:
If company requires to to wear specific items to fall in line with their health and safety policy then they should provide the ppe, its a legal requirement. I would bring this up with HR and ask for advice.

My company provided me with these boots for work.

http://www.safetybootsuk.co.uk/goli...ts-with-steel-toe-caps-&-midsole-p-90561.html

Fantastic boots, very easy to walk in infact I did a 13mile walk in them once. waterproof too.
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Policy or not, they have to supply suitable PPE.

What some companies will do, is allow you to purchase your own PPE and give you a refund to a set value. For instance, they may have a set cost for safety shoes of £20. These will likely be terrible fitting and / or poor quality. Aside from the argument of "suitable and sufficient", this would allow you to buy nice £50 shoes and they'd credit you £20 off the price, so you're effectively paying £30.

This would be fine for someone already in post with a pair of shoes, but not so good for a new starter as they'd be without shoes until sourced / ordered.

I suspect the OP is a contractor, and in instances like this the principle contractor could offer to pay the sub contractor a fee for supplying PPE, but it remains the OPs employer responsibility to risk assess and supply PPE regardless.
 
EVH said:
Correct.


That is illegal. As it charging you for any replacements (unless the item is of significant cost and made to measure).
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If he's a direct employee yes. If he's a 'self employed' contractor then his PPE would be his own responsibility.
 
I'm being directly employed by a company called DeeSet, it's only a job doing basic store refitting and they have offered to either provide or partially cover my boots.

I don't however want to turn up for work and be handed a cheap £30 pair of boots that aren't worn in that I'll have to wear for 48 hours in the first week.
 
If they will provide PPE FOC but you merely want something 'better' than what you assume they will provide, then they're at no obligation to fund that, so consider the offer to partially cover costs on something you buy a decent gesture of goodwill from them.
 
Kenai said:
If they will provide PPE FOC but you merely want something 'better' than what you assume they will provide, then they're at no obligation to fund that, so consider the offer to partially cover costs on something you buy a decent gesture of goodwill from them.
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That is the point in this thread, I have no idea about good or comfortable work boots. I'm perfectly happy covering the cost of a good pair of boots myself however very much appreciate the offer from said company to partially cover the cost.
 
I bought some new steel toe-caps last week from Sports Direct, they are so comfortable, only a little less comfy then my Adidas trainers, and they aren't even worn in yet since I am unemployed, I just bought them because they were 50% off and I noticed my old pair I left by the back door has mold growing on them :p

The boots, well.. trainers, you'll know when you look at them, are Dunlop Iowa - http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-iowa-mens-safety-shoes-181011

Normally £50 but they are 50% off atm.

As for PPE provided by the company, the last place I worked at I was employed on a 3 month fixed-term contract basis for 8 months. I was wearing my double old boots because I lost my newer pair and my feet were in agony after a few hours, so much that I used to sit in the toilets on my lunch breaks just so I could take my boots off. I went to HR and told him what's going on and asked for him to buy me some new boots and he refused, I was confused as I thought it was law that I should be provided with PPE. Desperate at wanting new boots I asked if he would buy them and take it out my wages, and that he agreed to.
 
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