asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the widespread practice in State and local employment of requiring workers to use waders or wellingtons which have already been used by other workers; and if in view of the danger of this practice to the health of such workers he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Protective Footwear.
93.
I am not aware that the position is as the Deputy suggests. I am informed that the normal practice, where workers in the Government service require protective footwear for regular use, is to issue it for personal use only. Sometimes a few pairs are kept for issue to workers who may need them occasionally but such footwear is normally cleaned and disinfected after use. I have no evidence to suggest that the present practice involves any health hazard for these workers, but I shall be prepared to investigate any case if it is reported to me.
Is the Minister not aware that it is common practice in a Department of State to issue wellingtons to workers, which they must take off in the evening and put in a box? The next morning each worker collects a pair of wellingtons and puts them on. That is done every day. Does the Minister not agree this is a most dangerous practice? Is he also aware that it is common practice for local authorities to issue wellingtons for a period of weeks and recall them at the end of the period; they are put away and re-issued again after a period. Does the Minister not agree that this practice can give rise to minor dermatitis and would he be prepared to advise that the practice is wrong and should be discontinued?
I have been told what the practice should be; people should get their own boots and keep them. I am told that is the practice. If what the Deputy says is true, then we can investigate. I do not think there is any risk of dermatitis. Dermatitis is not contagious. I have been told by the medical officers of the Departments of Social Welfare and Health that they are not aware of any disease arising from the use of boots in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy. If the boots are not disinfected and are given out to others, there is a risk of athlete's foot or some other infestation, but I am not aware of any such cases. If what the Deputy says is the practice, I will see that it is stopped.
It is common practice in the Forestry Division and in the Land Commission. Would the Minister not agree that it would be far better to allow the worker to keep his own boots rather than have him taking them off in the evening——
I think one should take them off in the evening anyway.
——at the end of a day's work in a wet forest?
It would be healthier to remove them than to keep them on. I agree that each man should have his personal pair of boots. That is what I am told is being done. I will inform the Minister that perhaps it needs inspection to ensure that it is being done.