• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Traincrew footwear

Status
Not open for further replies.

OneOffDave

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2015
Messages
453
One thing that had puzzled me before the current dispute and even more so with the contingency staffing is that there doesn't appear to be a standard for footwear that guards wear. I've seen all sorts from 'proper' safety shoes and boots right through to 'office' every day shoes that I think wouldn't be much use line side.

Is there a standard?
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Fred Dinenage

Member
Joined
23 Jul 2013
Messages
347
You must have an awful lot of time on your hands. I know some people are obsessed with “ traction “ but this is entering the twilight zone ;)
 

Llama

Established Member
Joined
29 Apr 2014
Messages
1,955
At our place there is a list of approved safety shoes we can order. It gets a bit more grey if people wear their own shoes which are clearly safety shoes (eg Cats, other brands are available).

God forbid someone with loafers on was to slip and hurt themselves, no blame attributable to the employer in that case.
 

OneOffDave

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2015
Messages
453
You must have an awful lot of time on your hands. I know some people are obsessed with “ traction “ but this is entering the twilight zone ;)

When I'm sat watching the guard put the ramp down while I'm waiting to get off the train twice a day it's fairly easy to notice this kind of thing. I'm also fairly observant and in previous jobs I've been responsible for specifying PPE. Just seems odd to me that the footwear varies so much given the uniformed nature of the role
 

Matt-the-mutt

Member
Joined
1 Oct 2011
Messages
53
I've worked platform and shunting now with the same TOC

Steel toe capped safety shoes are required and provided by the company. Platform we were told it's to avoid dropping passenger ramps on the toes.

Though what is required and what are worn by staff aren't always the same thing~
 

stuartl

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2014
Messages
161
I have a pair of safety shoes that look just like from normal 'office' shoes.
More comfortable than some as well
 

John Webb

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2010
Messages
3,047
Location
St Albans
I wore safety shoes or boots when appropriate during my thirty years of work, and have continued to wear safety shoes ever since retiring. I've a broad foot and the safety shoes are a far more comfortable fit than those I can buy in the normal shoe shop. Also cheaper and better wearing in my experience!
 

Kneedown

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2007
Messages
1,768
Location
Nottinghamshire
Safety shoes/boots are available for issue, but not the most comfortable. I prefer to buy my own toecap Magnums. Maximum comfort all year round.
 

sw1ller

Established Member
Joined
4 Jan 2013
Messages
1,567
I believe the standard is the shoe/boot must have a protective toe cap and sole. At least that’s what I’ve been told should I wish to buy my own. We had an incident a few years back where someone with their own boots stepped on a nail on ballast. Don’t think your standard magnums would protect you from that.
I will add, there are a few types you can order from the TOC from proper big boots, things that look like running trainers and ones that look like office shoes, but they all meet the safety standard.
 
Last edited:

Undiscovered

Member
Joined
28 Jan 2013
Messages
409
Toe cap and protective midsole are a must. Steel or composite, either is fine.

Our standard issue are fully non slip soles and flash flame resistant too. You can get a contribution to purchasing your own boots, but it's tough to get the same spec as these within that budget.

Whatever you get, investing in a good pair of gel insoles, and regularly changing them, makes a massive difference when you're walking 3-4k a day!
 

trebor79

Established Member
Joined
8 Mar 2018
Messages
4,435
God forbid someone with loafers on was to slip and hurt themselves, no blame attributable to the employer in that case.
Not true. If your employer requires you to wear PPE, and you are injured as a result of not wearing that PPE, the employer is liable. Regardless of whether it was the employees choice to not wear the PPE, the employer has allowed them to carry out a role without taking the precautions identified as required by a risk assessment.
If an employee refuses the wear the required PPE the employer needs to take that up with them. I've ended up dismissing people for repeated violations like this. Better that than have to tell their families that they've been injured at work.
One guy nearly blinded once by hot calcium hydroxide getting on his eyes. Not wearing goggles and carrying out a task not to the procedure. Company still had to pay compensation.
 

Romsey

Member
Joined
30 Nov 2019
Messages
334
Location
Near bridge 200
It's also taking personal responsibility for your own health and well being. If your employer provides PPE, use it! When they don't provide it, think carefully - I used to wear safety footwear when commuting into Paddington. Not because I might need to scramble around on the track, but to protect my toes from commuters who pushed, barged and trampled....
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
3,198
Location
The West Country
All "safety critical" staff must wear approved safety foot-ware on duty. As above there is a list is approved shoes/boots to choose from. When the ones I liked were removed from the list I volunteered to by a pair off Amazon. I was told I had to have authority to wear what would now be unauthorised footware.
 

Raul_Duke

Member
Joined
29 Mar 2014
Messages
397
There’s still a few hairy a**ed old BR boys knocking around in some ancient brogues and a hi vis BR Bra.
 

Ashley Hill

Established Member
Joined
8 Dec 2019
Messages
3,198
Location
The West Country
AFIK BR never issued safety shoes to traincrew,I always purchased my own sturdy shoes. It was well into privatisation when I was issued my first safety pair. BR did however issue socks which is more than any private company has done,unless you know different. Connex socks anyone?
 

Kneedown

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2007
Messages
1,768
Location
Nottinghamshire
I believe the standard is the shoe/boot must have a protective toe cap and sole. At least that’s what I’ve been told should I wish to buy my own. We had an incident a few years back where someone with their own boots stepped on a nail on ballast. Don’t think your standard magnums would protect you from that.

Steel midsole have never been a mandatory requirement for traincrew AFAIK, and are not even present on the the company issue boots.
 

dk1

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Oct 2009
Messages
15,821
Location
East Anglia
Although shoes are issued as many times as you want them they are hideous. Like having a couple of chunky tyres on your feet. I like many choose to buy my own & claim back through expenses. I also have never bought steel toe capped or anything similar.
 

sw1ller

Established Member
Joined
4 Jan 2013
Messages
1,567
Steel midsole have never been a mandatory requirement for traincrew AFAIK, and are not even present on the the company issue boots.

I dont think it’s a steel midsole, but I’ve been told that anything I buy myself must be puncture resistant (or words to that affect). Stems from an accident someone had at work years ago. Might just be a depot thing, I don’t know.
 

driver9000

Established Member
Joined
13 Jan 2008
Messages
4,230
AFIK BR never issued safety shoes to traincrew,I always purchased my own sturdy shoes. It was well into privatisation when I was issued my first safety pair. BR did however issue socks which is more than any private company has done,unless you know different. Connex socks anyone?

"Old" Northern issued socks.
 

Dstock7080

Established Member
Joined
17 Feb 2010
Messages
2,741
Location
West London
LU now issue footwear to Staff, probably started in the early-90s.
Mandatory to wear issued footwear or medical exemption for others.
Steel toecaps or any other steel strengthening is out. Although that didn’t stop one manufacturer ignoring that until it became exposed and all had to be withdrawn!

Previously DM shoes, then choice DM shoes/boots. Moving through alternative manufacturers, now with Magnums shoe/boots.
 

43066

Established Member
Joined
24 Nov 2019
Messages
9,214
Location
London
My previous TOC insisted on steel toe capped boots. The ones they issued were uncomfortable and poor quality (along with the rest of the uniform!) so people often bought their own. I can’t really see why steel toe caps are necessary for drivers, as you’re never involved in lifting heavy items.

My new place is rather more grown up and basically leaves it to the discretion of the individual, which works perfectly fine. Personally I favour smart, yet reasonably stout shoes with decent tread, in case I end up walking on the ballast.
 

Jim Jehosofat

Member
Joined
17 May 2017
Messages
167
AFIK BR never issued safety shoes to traincrew,I always purchased my own sturdy shoes. It was well into privatisation when I was issued my first safety pair. BR did however issue socks which is more than any private company has done,unless you know different. Connex socks anyone?

Railtrack used to include socks in their uniform.
 

Horizon22

Established Member
Associate Staff
Jobs & Careers
Joined
8 Sep 2019
Messages
7,443
Location
London
My previous TOC insisted on steel toe capped boots. The ones they issued were uncomfortable and poor quality (along with the rest of the uniform!) so people often bought their own. I can’t really see why steel toe caps are necessary for drivers, as you’re never involved in lifting heavy items.

What about walking on the track with all the hazards there and possibly removing branches from the line? Quite a few instances where drivers would need full safety-shoes.
 

Kneedown

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2007
Messages
1,768
Location
Nottinghamshire
I can’t really see why steel toe caps are necessary for drivers, as you’re never involved in lifting heavy items.
I like to bull up my toecaps to a mirror shine. Old habit from my Police days. Toecaps makes it easier to maintain, but it only takes one careless foot placement on the cab steps to undo the hard work. I wish Kiwi would bring out a crackproof polish!
 

43066

Established Member
Joined
24 Nov 2019
Messages
9,214
Location
London
What about walking on the track with all the hazards there and possibly removing branches from the line? Quite a few instances where drivers would need full safety-shoes.

I’ve yet to experience that, luckily. Felling timber isn’t in my job description last I checked so, should the situation demand, I’ll leave that in the capable hands of the MOM.

I like to bull up my toecaps to a mirror shine. Old habit from my Police days. Toecaps makes it easier to maintain, but it only takes one careless foot placement on the cab steps to undo the hard work. I wish Kiwi would bring out a crackproof polish!

My last depot had a rotary shoe “buffer” by the messroom entrance, which could instantly apply a high shine to the filthiest pair of work boots.

Come to think about it, that shoe polisher was the best thing about working there. Explains why I left ;).
 

OneOffDave

Member
Joined
2 Apr 2015
Messages
453
I like to bull up my toecaps to a mirror shine. Old habit from my Police days. Toecaps makes it easier to maintain, but it only takes one careless foot placement on the cab steps to undo the hard work. I wish Kiwi would bring out a crackproof polish!

Tornado nose cone paint is what you need for very shiny and durable toecaps. Tricky to get boots sprayed with it outside of the RAF though
 

Kneedown

Established Member
Joined
29 Dec 2007
Messages
1,768
Location
Nottinghamshire
Tornado nose cone paint is what you need for very shiny and durable toecaps. Tricky to get boots sprayed with it outside of the RAF though

Yep, heard about that one. Any opportunity to put it to the test though, was scuppered by the RAF Doctor at Cottesmore who failed me on the medical to become a Rock Ape!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top