Helen
This issue has recently caused disharmony in our directorate too, including HR. Our Assistant Director, H & S [who also happens to me my manager], got very annoyed that we were wearing open toed sandals. She claimed that no area at work was safe for this type of shoe in case you dropped something heavy on it, spilled boiling fluid on it, slipped, tripped etc. She stated that there were 900 slips, trips and falls last year and that 16 were related to unsuitable footwear. I do not know what stats she referred to for this info, but I assume she studied each and every incident form to make her point. I have a pair of safety shoes from when I worked in an industrial setting and I tend to wear them when I visit wards/departments etc.
We have, on the whole, taken notice of what she has said and she is intending to update the uniform policy accordingly.
Regards
-----Original Message-----
From: Helen Kay [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 11 August 2004 12:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Footwear in the clinical setting
Hello,
I am currently looking into the risks associated with occupational health
nurses wearing sandals at work. This topic has occured as a result of
discussion with my colleagues in light of current hot temperatures and
lack of air-conditioned facilities.
The main concern that has been raised is the risk of a needle-stick injury
occurring in the foot during vaccination clinics, however I believe that
wearing suitable sandals would be beneficial in enabling comfort in this
current climate.
As I am currently in the process of developing a risk assessment I would
be grateful for your thoughts and views on this subject.
Many thanks
Helen Kay
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