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Arena Magazine 2007 Issue 3 Autumn Arena |
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Arena health
Health and safety questions answered.
Best feet forward
Q. I have a medical condition that makes my feet sore. The new safety shoes that have been provided at work make it worse. I've been told I have to wear them. If I want different safety shoes I'll have to pay for them myself. Is this true?
A. No it is not true. If your employer has done a risk assessment and decided that safety shoes have to be worn, then they must provide you with a suitable pair free of charge. According to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations, they must take account of ergonomic requirements and the state of health of the person wearing the PPE. The shoes must also be capable of fitting the wearer correctly. So if you have a health condition that makes the ordinary shoes provided unsuitable, or even if your feet are not an 'average' size, they have to provide a suitable type and size for you to use.
Fire safety
Q. I have just started a new job in the cash office at a local shop. The office is at the end of a narrow corridor with only one door and no windows. Stock is often stored in the corridor. I am scared to work there in case I get trapped if there is a fire. Shouldn't there be a separate fire exit?
A. Not necessarily. Employers do have duties to make sure that their premises are protected against fire and that people can get out quickly when they have to. But there are many smaller shops and offices that don't have separate fire exits. It depends on a number of factors such as distance of travel to a door out of the building and the fire resistance of walls and corridors. Your employer should have done a fire risk assessment for the building which should identify evacuation routes, how the alarm is raised and any risks like stock or roll cages blocking corridors that are needed for evacuation. You can see the advice the Government gives to employers on fire safety and risk assessments on the www.communities.gov.uk website in the 'fire and resilience' section.
Asthma concern
Q. I work in the in-store bakery in a large supermarket. I spend several hours a day wrapping fresh bread in heat-sealed plastic wrapping. The machine gives off fumes and smells when in use. I get a nasty cough and feel tight-chested when I use it a lot. Are the fumes harmful?
A. They may be. The symptoms you describe could mean that you are irritated by the fumes or that you are developing occupational asthma from breathing them in. If you do become sensitised then even low levels of fumes could trigger an asthmatic reaction. The problem used to be more common when PVC plastics were used to wrap products, but even the polythene used nowadays can give off fumes and can cause asthma. Fumes will be worse if the hot wire that seals the plastic is not cleaned or if the temperature is set too high. Your employer should make sure that the machine is regularly cleaned and maintained and that it is located in a well-ventilated area. If your symptoms persist go and see your doctor or contact your employer's occupational health department.
Get ahead - get a head set!
Q. The staff on the customer service desk in my store have been told we have to start wearing radio head sets. Our manager insists that we share headsets as there are not enough for all workers. I have frequent ear infections and am concerned that I could get some other kind of infection or even pass mine onto someone else, what can I do?
A. Wherever you work - in a shop or in a call centre - you should not be using other people's headsets as this can cause hygiene problems and could lead to ear/throat infections. To reduce this risk, staff should be trained in headset hygiene and given the time and the materials to keep headsets clean. Guidance from the HSE says that headsets should be issued on a personal basis but if there is a 'pool' of headsets then each person should be issued with their own personal ear pads and voice tubes. There should be a sufficient stock of new ear pads and voice tubes to replace damaged ones or for new staff to use.
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