Footwear-- required part of PPE?

[southsoundtree]

What do you see on your crews for footwear?


Anybody have an official spec on footwear PPE requirements?




I usually wear goretex hiking shoes for pruning and groundwork, and kevlar lined work boots for spike removals.
I wore my boots today for a removal but should have worn shoes. It was near a high powerline, so no spikes, no steelcore flipline.

I hate wearing boots on the ground, as it seems to be shocking/ jarring and not easy on the back.


Wondering what, if anything, I have to require of employees to be compliant.

 

[tomthetreeman]

I believe the Z calls for 'Work boots' specifically. I'll have to check.

-Tom

 

[Blinky]

I wear low top hikers for everything but all day removals. I don't specify to my groundie but he wear leather work boots.

The tread matters more to me than the upper, people slip a fall a lot more often than they get banged or cut just above their foot.

 

[boreality]

Sean, I'm not a utility pruner and you may have different clearance distances than me or more knowledge. I would not assume that no spurs or steel flip line will make you safer working close to powerlines. I've been taught that you should assume your rope is as conductive as a wire cable. Also that the lower communication lines, poles, and guy wires hold an equal risk of shock. The only line non utility pruners can work close to is a residential service which is insulated but should still be treated with respect.

As far as boots go in Canada anyway we need that green CSA triangle. You probably have something similar in the states. There is light, comfortable boots out there now that meet the standards.

 

[treehumper]

Safety boots on the ground and in the tree. I picked up a pair of hiker style boots from Red Wing for pruning and their loggers for removals. I've got a pair of Dakota composite toe CSA green patch with rubber lowers for snow. All of them have good tread for traction and protection from crush injury or puncture.

Them the rules!

All the ground guys wear steel toe boots.

Remember that if or when an injury occurs OSHA looks to see if your wearing safety boots. See the list of violations for Buzzell Tree Service.

 

[southsoundtree]

[ QUOTE ]
Sean, I'm not a utility pruner and you may have different clearance distances than me or more knowledge. I would not assume that no spurs or steel flip line will make you safer working close to powerlines. I've been taught that you should assume your rope is as conductive as a wire cable. Also that the lower communication lines, poles, and guy wires hold an equal risk of shock. The only line non utility pruners can work close to is a residential service which is insulated but should still be treated with respect.

As far as boots go in Canada anyway we need that green CSA triangle. You probably have something similar in the states.

[/ QUOTE ]

Boreality,

I hear you on the conductivity. We were far enough from the lines (MAD), and just being extra careful. A more than average focus day, with average being, maybe above average. Safety first.

Thanks for the concern.

 

[tomthetreeman]

"Clothing and footwear appropriate to the known job hazards SHALL be approved by the employer and worn by the employee."

That's straight from the Z.

-Tom

 

[jmcscrap]

The city requires us to wear chainsaw cut resistant boots, spendy, not all that comfortable, but safe(r). That's just the rule we go by. Anyone know of a comfortable chainsaw resistant boot? Not just steel toed.

 

[tcsafety]

The Z, as Tom said, just states that footwear must be appropriate for the job. So, taking it further, if one of your guys has a foot injury that could have been prevented or minimized by steel toe or chainsaw resistant, what do you think they'll say?

What ever you do, make sure you have a documented meeting, everyone signs off that they understand, supervisors do the same, and it is a part of your IIPP.

The company I arborist for requires all the production workers (climbers included) to wear steel toe boots. Since I don't do much production work (drop a tree occasionally, help drag some brush), I wear White's Smoke Jumpers. I wear them every work day in all kinds of terrain and weather (for SoCal). Best boots I've ever worn, and I am really hard on my boots. Had them for 7 years, rebuilt once 2 years ago for less than a pair of Chippawas, and they fit perfect when I got them back. For me, worth the $400. Some of our guys get the cheaper loggers and are getting a new pair every year.

I also wear ProBass Shop's RedHead Lifetime socks. I have 6 pair, have worn them once a week for 1 1/2 years and they still aren't wore out. If they ever do ProBass will replace them for free.