To think my Mum's employers are breaking the law?

[ShanahansRevenge]

Just tell me if I am...m Mum is a home help and employed by a private agency. She visits mostly elderly people in their homes and wakes them up...helps them get dressed, makes them breakfast and then either tidies up or chats to them.

She has her first call at 7.00am and for two days she has been slipping and sliding up peoples paths and lanes and drives...she has a car and drivs to each house but access is usually completely iced over.

Mum is in her 60s and fit...but stll...if she fell then she could get hurt badly. I think the agency are duty bound to provide all their carers with spiked shoes like the postmen have been given.

She's been out today and bought some things which attach to her own boots...but I think she should bill the company.

Doesn't a company have to provide suiable protective wear for their employees?

nah id ont think so

she should get eh LA to grit

she should get eh LA to grit

Actually, I think you have a point. Under health and safety should a risk assessment not be done?

read this

risk assessment re to and from the homes is covered.

She can't get the LA to grit specific paths and roads at a certain time of day!

If she were working in a loud factory she would get ear defenders...why shouldn't they give their employees suitable footwear?

Can you just thank your Mum from me for continuing to work, I know so many people whose agencies have just cancelled on them!!

Yes they should buy her some spiked shoes, these vulnerable people are depending on her arriving safely in one piece.

Oh thanks Hec! That's very useful...I will read it through now.

Car....I'll tell her thanks! She'd never leave them...she has the same clients and she's very loyal to them...they're all very lovely she says, one lady is 100 and still does all her own dusting! This lady sent my DD a lovely card on her Birthday even though all she kknows of her is what Mum has told her.

Your Mum sounds lovely. They should provide her with stuff, but I don't think they have to. My employer doesn't, and we have to go out in all weathers.