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Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 2:58 pm
by Mikejames161
Hi all

After some advice. I have a member of staff who has had his big toe fused so cannot bend it anymore. Wearing his standard steel toe cap boots is causing him pain so I am looking into boots which will help with his pain. Any suggestions?

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:07 pm
by Essex
Can you assess the boots out? Are they actually required? Is there a risk to toe injury?

I have been wearing steel toe caps for 20 years and never known a case in which they have stopped an injury.

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:07 pm
by ddlh
Completely agree that elimination of the need for safety boots is the first option. But if the risk assessment requires them then the operator must comply.

Do you have an Occupational Health support resource you could speak to?
Failing that get your PPE supplier in to see if he has anything that may be suitable. This may be rather costly compared to your usual supply but if you cannot find an agreeable solution then you could be open to a complaint to an employment tribunal

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:44 am
by Mikejames161
Yes unfortunately the operative is working as a site manager on a COMAH site so cant remove the need for steel toe capped boots. In his office he wears standard shoes for relief but the majority of the time he has to wear the boots as part of the specified PPE requirements of the terminal. I will as the PPE suppliers. Thank you for your replies

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:27 pm
by ddlh
As a site manager he must be seen as leading by example so must be complying and encouraging everyone to comply with the site rules and requirements

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:31 pm
by Essex
This is exactly what is wrong with sites these days. They see things as black or white. Sometimes there are grey areas that need to be looked at like this example.

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:30 pm
by ddlh
Please explain further please?

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 11:59 pm
by Essex
PPE is there to serve a purpose if it is required. Not to make someone look good.

There are too many questions to ask the Op on this one but there are so many ways steel toe cap boots can be assessed out of a situation.

Simply saying that he is a site manager is not the teason we wear PPE.

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 1:39 pm
by Penfold
This is exactly what is wrong with sites these days. They see things as black or white. Sometimes there are grey areas that need to be looked at like this example.
I think Mike was stating that due to the COMAH site he has to wear the safety shoes out on site not just because he was a site manager.

Moving away from this argument and back on topic - I have always worked closely with suppliers on this type of occasion and got the person concerned to go in and try and find the best pair of boot/shoes for them. Generally good suppliers have a large amount of shapes and styles that will fit most instances, or can offer advice on what steps to take if they haven't got anything to wear.

Hope this helps Mike

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:18 pm
by ddlh
"Simply saying that he is a site manager is not the reason we wear PPE."

Agreed - but as a manager he is more than likely part of the team that decided on the need for PPE - and as a leader people will look to him for examples of best practice!

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 3:09 am
by Kennymac
What about different types of boots? I use a pair of magnums at my work, they have a toe cap, anti-slip soles conform to an BS standard for the police/security /military standards (or they say they do) very comfy. Would they do the trick?
I don't really need them at my work, I picked up the wrong pair at the shop and was rushing to get to work. :roll:

Re: Safety boot for a medical condition

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 5:23 pm
by casper
Hi Mike,

I had issues with safety boots for a number of years due to a medical condition.
After trial and error with a large number of different types of boots/shoes, I found Dr Martens Industrial Airwair with composite toe and midsole worked brilliantly for me.
Very light, comfortable to wear and depending on type of work you are doing last a lot longer than most other boots I've tried out.

Casper :D