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  BensBotanics November 10, 2012 at 8:21pm

  My boss told me that I have to buy my own PPE...
• PRO

  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk November 10, 2012 at 8:53pm

  Your boss is breaking the law. Your employer is bound by law to supply all necessary PPE, NO EXCUSE'S. Get him told.
• PRO

  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd November 10, 2012 at 9:04pm

  
  exactly.
  Brian www.mibservices.co.uk said:

  Your boss is breaking the law. Your employer is bound by law to supply all necessary PPE, NO EXCUSE'S. Get him told.
• PRO

  Robbie November 10, 2012 at 9:33pm

  My experience as an employee was that I usually received steel toe capped boots once a year (Regardless if I needed them or not). Sometimes they were needed sooner but weren't provided.

  Other PPE was few and far between, maybe one or two pairs of gloves a year.

  Rich, I'm not sure what it's like on your side of the Irish sea, but here in NI golf clubs don't put that much importance on H&S as they should. 

  It wasn't provided so any time I was spraying I used my own PPE.

  I remember a case where the course manager got a complaint about the boys out with the saws not wearing any safety gear and he came along with one helmet and one pair of gloves and told the boys using the saw(s) to wear them if any golfers were around. It was all a big joke to him. 

  The guy that taught me on my NEBOSH course had a saying... "If you think H&S is expensive wait until you have an accident" 
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  James Dixon November 10, 2012 at 9:49pm

  An employer has to supply PPE (as per risk assessments and method statements). If your employees need PPE you have to supply it and ensure that staff use it correctly and replace it as required be it worn out, lost or whatever.  No kit no work.

  If they are careless, lose it etc then that may be a disciplinary matter and covered under their contract/ disciplinary procedures. However that is another matter. You can't stand up in court and say "I couldn't afford the right PPE" or "the workers wear out their golves too fast" or even "Too bad about the lost toes. I told him that he should have remembered to bring his boots."

   

   
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  David Channon November 10, 2012 at 10:16pm

  The Employee has a duty to ensure that the PPE issued is looked after with due care and worn when appropriate and when required by the RAMS or by label instructions.

  There is no automatic entitlement to a new set every year. We monitor condition and repair when the outer skin of chainsaw trousers gets torn. We replace when it is clearly worn to the point when safety could be compromised.

  Lost PPE or that damaged due to careless storage in the van could be subject to disciplinary proceedings. After all, why should the employer have to cover the lost or wasted time caused by an employees lack of care.

  They sign for every item, have to produce them all during regular checks and can be sent home without pay on the day and asked to cover the cost of replacements.
• PRO

  Robbie November 10, 2012 at 10:27pm

  I think that's a great idea "They sign for every item, have to produce them all during regular checks and can be sent home without pay on the day and asked to cover the cost of replacements." 
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  Austin Powell-Allen November 10, 2012 at 11:56pm

  Also worth remembering that if company provides PPE that the employer has a duty of care that it is fit for purpose and maintained or replaced when damaged, not just every six months or a year. The employee has a duty of care to ensure that damage is reported to there employer and that when using tools that other people are at a safe distance to many times i have visited clients who have dogs and children can use the garden whilst strimming, cutting the lawn or cutting the hedges. It can be an accident waiting to happen so I naturally inform the client of this and ask them to keep them inside during the visit.
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  James Dixon November 11, 2012 at 7:34am

  Absolutely. Though you will have to follow a documented procedure: verbal, written and final warnings etc. to avoid claims for unfair dismissal. However, the disciplinary should be seen as a tool to improve performance rather than employers arse protection. It should show you take the matter seriously. Be firm but fair.

  There is an entitlement to replacement PPE when needed. 

  Why not recognise good care of all equipment with a bonus or upgrade to branded boots or something?

  David Channon said:

  The Employee has a duty to ensure that the PPE issued is looked after with due care and worn when appropriate and when required by the RAMS or by label instructions.

  There is no automatic entitlement to a new set every year. We monitor condition and repair when the outer skin of chainsaw trousers gets torn. We replace when it is clearly worn to the point when safety could be compromised.

  Lost PPE or that damaged due to careless storage in the van could be subject to disciplinary proceedings. After all, why should the employer have to cover the lost or wasted time caused by an employees lack of care.

  They sign for every item, have to produce them all during regular checks and can be sent home without pay on the day and asked to cover the cost of replacements.
• PRO

  Rich AGS November 11, 2012 at 8:19am

  At the moment i have one member of staff but looking to take on another member next year,  I use a form which they sign and date for items,

  All items supplied to staff remain the property of Amenity Ground services and should be maintained in good order ,any item requiring replacement is at the discretion of the company and will only be replaced after producing the old item for inspection .if any member terminates their employment or their employment is terminated by the company all iteims supplied should be retured in an acceptable good clean condition.