6 replies to this topic

[teaks]

Hi There!

 

We have someone returning to work after a fall that caused a leg injury.  The employee needs to wear a leg/foot brace below the knee.

 

We are reviewing the brace for personal safety (making sure it is slip resistant), but I want to make sure I consider the food safety risks as well.  

 

Employees wear a smock over their clothing - we do not have a captive footwear program.  The factory is primarily dry (wet only in sink areas - not in production/packaging areas).

 

What do I need to consider for this employee regarding food safety?  I am going to assume that the brace is worn outside the trousers.

 

(While I love to read all of the advice from you wise souls, I am not in a position to change uniform policy or get into a big discussion on that front, so please comment only on the brace situation  )

 

Many thanks!

[Charles.C]

Hi There!

 

We have someone returning to work after a fall that caused a leg injury.  The employee needs to wear a leg/foot brace below the knee.

 

We are reviewing the brace for personal safety (making sure it is slip resistant), but I want to make sure I consider the food safety risks as well.  

 

Employees wear a smock over their clothing - we do not have a captive footwear program.  The factory is primarily dry (wet only in sink areas - not in production/packaging areas).

 

What do I need to consider for this employee regarding food safety?  I am going to assume that the brace is worn outside the trousers.

 

(While I love to read all of the advice from you wise souls, I am not in a position to change uniform policy or get into a big discussion on that front, so please comment only on the brace situation  )

 

Many thanks!

 

Hi ksullivan,

 

Regret i don't know the answer but this will surely be in the jurisdiction of OSHA ?.

[Setanta]

I would think it would be acceptable as long as the person still wears slacks and normal shoes and socks.

[ChristinaK]

I would think it would be acceptable as long as the person still wears slacks and normal shoes and socks.

 

I think so, as well. As long as the brace remains clean from contaminates, it sounds acceptable to me.

[Tony-C]

Hi there,

 

My question would be what is different about the brace compared to the policy you have for employee's normal clothing?

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[GMO]

If you don't have captive footwear I think you already have your answer.

[QAGB]

Hi KSullivan,

 

Without knowing too many details on the brace, I imagine it should be ok to wear. We've allowed people to wear knee braces, back braces, and wrist braces. We're a low risk, mostly enclosed operation, so there's not much chance of anything getting into food.

 

The leg brace is a lower risk than a wrist brace or back brace, since it's worn (hopefully) low enough that it couldn't come in contact with food. You already have employees wearing smocks, so the likelihood of contaminating the brace and the brace then becoming a contamination point is much lower.

 

QAGB