To think they should provide PPE?

[BreakfastAtLitanies]

DP starts a new job tomorrow in a setting where steel toe capped shoes are required. The company have called him today and said he needs to go out and purchase some if he does not already have any. They are a requirement for the job and no other shoe can be worn in the area.

AIBU to think they should provide this equipment as it's necessary PPE?

I had a job once where they were required, the work place provided them. I would expect them to be provided tbh, employers have a duty to provide their employees with the right equipment for their job, to me this would include steel toe caps.

I would say that the company should provide the equipment required for the job. I work in engineering and the company provides us with:
Steel toed, steel sole protected fire retardant boots
Hard hat with chin strap
Gloves
Safety glasses
High vis vest
High vis super cosy bomber jacket type thing
Waterproof high vis trousers
Fire retardant overalls
And the team also has an adequate supply of life jackets.

We are not expected to shell out for our own equipment. Even when I did a part time job in a DIY shop as a student, they supplied the steel toe capped boots...and I was only on the checkout!

I agree with PP, and you, however I wonder whether this is included somewhere in his employment contract, so you could argue all you like, and it not make a blind bit of difference...

Are you sure they don't plan on reimbursing him but need him to buy them himself - easier to get the right size and be dressed correctly on the first day than having to run a risk with delays.

I’ve worked for two places where you’d need PPE - in one place it was supplied for you, and in my current, you are expected to buy it and then put it through on expenses.

At DH’s place, you are expected to supply & pay for your own.

You may find the first pair needs to be provided by the employee, and subsequent pairs are replaced by the company.

IIRC, Jewsons, Screwfix etc will sell these.

This link might be useful www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ppe.htm

The company should be providing safety equipment needed to do the job.

In dh's last job they'd either provide safety boots or he could buy his own and they'd reimburse him up to £25. He always bought his own as the company would buy the crappy cheap boots that fell apart within a year.

New starters would be asked to buy their own (and told they'd get up to £25 reimbursed) as it was easier for them to go straight out in site rather than holding the team up while they went to get some from the company supplier.

Is your dp sure this isn't what was meant and he'd be reimbursed for the cost of the safety boots?

We supply all PPE for staff, our H&S manually specifies exactly what everyone should wear. Even if you already own the right Boots, they will insist on buying a new pair to make sure it complies.

Occasionally they get be asked to buy something and expsense it back, but it doesn't happen very often.

Thanks all for replies.

DP says there was no mention of reimbursement but of course they could mean this but not have said it?

Either way he wasn't told until the night before, I really hope they reimburse. I've told him to call again and ask for clarification because I'm wondering if PP is right and it may be in the contract.

Thanks again everyone!

Can my employer charge me for personal protective equipment (PPE)?

It's illegal for your employer to make you pay for any personal protective equipment or clothing (PPE) you need to protect your health and safety at work. It's also illegal for your employer to take a refundable deposit from you for it.

From the Health and Safety Executive website.

If they are a requirement for work, work should legally pay for them, but honestly, if he argues this, the chance of him keeping his job are relatively slim.

So if you can, just buy the boots and don’t make a massive fuss.

If he turns up without boots, depending on the SM there might be many pairs of steelies, but he may also be sent home and told not to return.

Out of interest, is he employed or SE? If he’s SE it’s a bit more of a grey area.

Depends. Directly employed they should be provided. Employed as a contractor he'd provide his own.

But if the latter I'd have expected him to have full kit already so I'm assuming he's directly employed.

It's illegal to charge employees for PPE under OSHA.