23rd January 2011, 03:45 PM
Written before this all happened... however... have to go!
It does seem to be non specific... and blanket bans are not really working otherwise...
Why is it that if you type rigger boot safety into google, every H&S store is selling them....? :face-huh:
I can't find anything about Ankle Support in HSE guidance either
However... I tend to this persons summing up
It does seem to be non specific... and blanket bans are not really working otherwise...
Why is it that if you type rigger boot safety into google, every H&S store is selling them....? :face-huh:
I can't find anything about Ankle Support in HSE guidance either
However... I tend to this persons summing up
Quote:Just want to add my thoughts and experiences to the discussion on rigger boots:
"lack of ankle support" is (from my experience) an understatement. I have seen the state rigger boots get in after about a month of heavy duty work (e.g. bricklayers) in some cases they fold completely over the heal. I realise there are ones with ankle support but then there are other problems.
As stated previously by others, they were originally designed for oil rig workers (possibly the reason for the term "riggers"). Therefore, they come off easily, too easily. They were adopted by site managers and other staff members who regularly needed to change between "office" shoes and "site" footwear. For some reason their use extended to operatives. I have seen them come off during a slip or trip. I am also sure I can remember occasions when the types with "pull handles" contributed to trips as a result of snagging on re-bar etc.
I assume sites where management have banned them have done so as a result of the findings of accident investigations. If so, it would be good to see some findings/statistics. As many of you know, it's best to educate people rather than lecture rules to them.
Personally, I stopped wearing rigger boots on site about 5 years ago, after a contractor's safety adviser explained their problems. It was then that I recounted accidents and problems from my own time as a site manager.
I firmly believe that we should return to traditional laced-up boots as the "norm" and a risk assessment to inform when we need to deviate from this e.g. "working over water".......
Regards
Dr Billy Hare