Open-toed Sandals

[Kaffrin]

I work in a primary school. The Head has told us not to wear sandals for 'Health & Safety' reasons. Is this legal or enforceable? I can understand certain professions having to operate a dress-code, but surely not summer footwear in an office or school? Anyone have any experience in this area?!

[woofgang]

I work in health, not education, but I think that the principles are broadly the same. As I recall, the health and safety act says broadly that the employer must identify risks and minimise or mitigate them, and the employee must comply with the minimising and mitigating measures....so if a blackboard fell on your foot and you were injured because you were wearing sandals after having been warned not to, then your employer would probably not be liable for your injury but could also discipline you for failure to comply!! The school should have done a risk assessment detailing why sandals are not suitable footwear and staff should be able to see this and challenge it if it is not reasonable. There is usually a staff side health and safety rep floating around somewhere (often the same person who is the union steward) and your scholl or local authority shouls have a risk management bod who could advise.

[woofgang]

sorry, foot based typo, that should of course be your school or local authority, the good doctor would probably not be interested :-)

[thewillow]

I don't blame the school for introducing this ban on open-toed sandals. A friend of mine broke his nose and sprained both wrists very badly when his open-toed sandals caught on a cracked paving stone. People are sooooooooo litigious these days.

[omgnw]

If you work in the United States there are OSHA regulations that govern these types of things. If I recall correctly OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Advisory (Board or Committee). I am familiary with not being able to wear shoes that were open-toed, strapless, or had more than a 2-inch heel. Your expereince is normal, I would follow the principles rules, but I would encourage him to give a better presentation and offer supporting laws or regulations for his decision.