asked the Minister for Lands if it is a fact that workers employed by his Department at Emo State Forest have been requested to wear second-hand rubber boots which have been worn by others; if he will take steps to ensure that in the interests of their health workers are not compelled to wear these boots; and if in view of the fact that various medical opinions are against this practice he will guarantee that no worker will be victimised for not wearing such boots.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Second-Hand Rubber Boots by Forestry Workers.
25.
I take it that the Deputy's question refers to the issue of thigh boots or waders to men working in deep drains. Such work is infrequent and a small stock of waders is held in each forest where the need for them arises for men engaged on such work. It would be impracticable to provide new waders each time working conditions necessitate their use.
Does the Minister think it desirable that the same boots should be worn by a variety of people?
As I said, it is only very seldom that these thigh boots are used. If the men are very particular, there is nothing to stop them providing their own boots. Personally, on those very rare occasions on which thigh boots are necessary, I see no great objection to using the boots provided.
Is the Minister aware that there is no danger in using boots second-hand?
Yes.
There is no objection to somebody stepping into somebody's shoes perhaps in politics, but does the Minister think it desirable that the same set of boots should be distributed to a big number of people?
These are thigh boots, not ordinary wellingtons, and their use is required only on very odd occasions. I have had no complaint whatever from any other place except this forest where I gather the men are rather fastidious. I myself have often borrowed and worn other people's wellingtons.
You might get away with it for a time, but disease in the feet is not uncommon.
For the very short time when the necessity arises, once in a blue moon, for using thigh boots, I think the Department are meeting the matter very fairly and if there is some individual who has a very strong objection to this, there is nothing to stop him from getting custom-built thigh boots if he wants them.
That is no solution.