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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:31 pm
by bodgeitandscarper
What PPE should be provided by landscape company?
I currently get gloves mainly used ones and wet weather clothing (although been using my own so dont know if that will happen) and thats it.
No goggles
No Boots
No Wellies
No clothing
If they dont provide what can i do about it? its a small company as their is only three of us and thats including the boss.
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:50 pm
by DNgroundworks
Well they should really, but i know what you mean i used to work for a small company and all we ever got were boots and goggles!
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:39 pm
by Tommy
You should get boots and gloves at least. But if you are expected to work in the rain, then wet gear.
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:09 pm
by Tony McC
Plus....
Goggles/Safety Spex
Ear'ole plugs
*Appropriate* dust masks
...in short, your employer is obliged to provide appropriate PPE/RPE for any and all hazards/risks that may be encountered in your work. This may include anti-vibration gloves, knee pads, hard hats, hi-vis, etc.
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:08 am
by GB_Groundworks
we used to have a big bulk box of the rubberised shoa thermal gloves in the cabin that the lads could take when they needed, even at bulk rate these are about £8 a pair or so, some of the lads were taking the p*ss and having 5 pairs at a time or stock pilling them in manchines and cars so now they have to come ask for a pair haha. that'll teach em.
but they should supply the respective ppe for each bit of kit your using googles, face mas, etc,
we provide all of the above and paper overalls for concrete and messy jobs but getting people to use them is another matter.
people wont use googles as they steam up when used with a face mask etc.
maybe as most our lads are self employed but boots and rain coat are your own responsibility
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:00 pm
by worldofpaving
Giles, I bought some really good Goggles at Saltex from a small outfit called Safe EyesSafety Glasses that don't Fog or Scratch for about a tenner.
They are very clever as the glass is replaced by a very fine wire mesh so this allows air flow hence no misting and because there is no lens as such, they won't get scratched to blazes from being in your pocket, tool box, etc. like the anti-mist lenses that I have seem around.
It was pointed out to me by a smart arse friend that fine dust particles could still theoretically pass through but this doesn't bother me, they won't take my eye out, but a nail head, a thorn or whatever could.
Like everyone I've used grinders, chainsaws, Kango's and the rest over the years without any PPE but whilst it's clearly daft and you should protect everything, it's probably the eyes that are the most vulnerable and I find the safe eyes very comfortable.
All this and they haven't even booked a stand at WOP yet!
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:45 pm
by rab1
you should be issued all ppe. gloves, boots, hard hat, low impact safety glasses, hi-viz vest, ear plugs & overalls. if your working in wet weather/or require task specific items these should also be available for your use as and when required.
i work for a large company though, this lot cost a fortune as items like boots, 2 pair overalls etc are issued yearly, vests/gloves/ glasses as required. we get constantly get subbies blagging gear as they cannot afford the costs.
you can complain to the hse, but think you would be out of the job as soon as they turn up. ask for the basics and slowly work from there. we have lads who use £12 a pair high impact goggles and the leave them at their arse after one cut.
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:38 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I'm with giles on this
we spent a king's ransom on PPE and then you walk around a site and there are gloves laying in the mud, goggles and muffs drapped over fences
I find if folk dont pay for something they take poor care of it.
we bought everyone a respirator for a particularly dusty job i wrote everyone's name on their mask in marker etc etc
day 3 everyone's bar mine was laying in the footwell of the truck covered in mud and fag ash
i like the sound of those goggles WoP , my biggest gripe is the darn things steaming up
LLL
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:18 pm
by Pablo
Personally I'm a big fan of providing as much PPE as I can but I will not buy my staff boots. If you are expected to provide your own clothes and shoes to work in any other job then why should I buy boots for them. Everything else is provided though and I agree that it's a killer to see them opening a new pair of gloves every day when the vans are full of dozens of decent used ones. Last month alone it cost me about £60 for gloves I don't think thats very fair. Also all the ear defenders and respirators etc are to be found buried under every sharp object going. I pay half the cost of snickers trousers because I hate seeing them wearing jeans and send them home if they rock up in tracksuit. I provide them with T-shirts/ shirts fleeces jackets and wet and dirty gear inc wellies.
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:34 pm
by Dave_L
That's one thing we've got to get sorted - branded workwear. Keeps getting put on the back burner.
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:58 pm
by Tommy
We supposedly get 4 items of workwear a year, a pair of boots, and ear defenders.
Get Safety glasses, gloves, masks etc as and when.
Never works like that though, The boots don't last 6 months, especially working in grit salt all winter. and they play holy hell when we dare to ask for new gloves.
I have always used my own boots, preferring to pay a bit more for boots that fit properly, and are light, comfortable and waterproof, not the £19.99 ones from ARCO.
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
by rab1
ppe all boils down to costs, we issue the lot (ask sean) but you know the small guy cant afford to do this.