End inapprpriate footwear, urges TUC
August 1st 2008 The TUC has called for employers to drop 'inappropriate' requirements for workers to wear uncomfortable or dangerous footwear.
A new TUC guide Working feet and footwear found that while many employers allow employees to wear healthy and safe footwear, some organisation insist female staff who deal with the public wear slip-on shoes or high heels as part of a dress code. This can lead to long-term foot problems, especially when combined with prolonged standing, says the Union.
Work in any environment where there is a risk of slipping requires slipresistant shoes. Where there is the risk of a shoe being crushed or hit by an object, or even caught in machinery, safety footwear must be provided. If there is the possibility of standing on nails or other sharp objects then the employer must provide puncture resistant soles.
The TUC says employers should ensure that their risk assessment includes risks to the feet as well as slipping risks and if safety or specialist footwear is required, they should supply it at no extra cost to the workers.
The guide, which includes a footwear checklist for safety reps - can be found at: www.tuc,org.uk/pressetranet More articles from TUC: | 
