TUC points to risks of poor foootwear

Inadequate footwear at work carries risks and can cause a wide range of problems, according to the TUC.

Workers face the risks of slipping, being crushed or hit by an object, getting caught in machinery and standing on sharp objects. There are also problems with dress codes which require high heels or other specific footwear for jobs involving prolonged standing.

Employers must ensure that a risk assessment includes risks to the feet as well as slipping risks and that if special footwear is required, they must supply it at no cost to the worker, the TUC said.

In its new guide, Working feet and footwear, the TUC calls on employers to drop “inappropriate” requirements for workers to wear uncomfortable or dangerous footwear.

The guide is at www.tuc.org.uk/extras/footwear.pdf