mikeymo wrote:Vorpal wrote:And partly because there is mixed or limited supporting evidence to supprot the use of some PPE (e.g. toetectors)
I dropped a pneumatic drill on my toe once, wearing ordinary wellies.
It felt like evidence to me.
Most safety equipment has advantages and disadvantages. Those for which there are data, almost always have a mixed bag. There are very few examples of PPE for which there is an overwhelming body of evidence about their usefulness.
Toetectors are certainly useful in some situations. They work exactly as designed in the situation you experienced. You won't find me arguing against that. And furthermore, they generally improve worker outcomes. But there are many, many examples of foot problems and conditions caused by wearing toetectors, many companies are not rigourous about ensuring they are in good condition, and do not replace them often enough. Toetectors are also required in some situations where they can actually make things worse. For example, a company I worked for had several incidents where workers dropped metal sheets in such a way that they landed on the edge of the steel caps in their boots, and the injuries were made worse because the steel caps were crushed into their feet. Although the company changed the work process, they were not able to completely eliminate the risk, and consequently changed the footwear reuirements. I read a study some years ago about jobs and circumstances where they should not be required, but normally are. Unfortunately, I do not remember the title, and cannot find anything like it now.
“In some ways, it is easier to be a dissident, for then one is without responsibility.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom