The right personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to keeping ourselves and others safe. To help clarify footwear requirements across Cemex operations, updated guidance has been issued on the selection and use of safety footwear.
Lace-up safety boots with steel or composite toe protection and suitable ankle support remain the standard footwear requirement across Cemex sites. These boots provide greater stability and ankle protection when working on uneven ground and around operational plant and equipment.
The guidance also provides clarification on the use of safety Wellington boots. These may be worn where specific work activities or site conditions require them, such as:
- Working in waterlogged areas
- Slurry handling operations
- Wet cleaning tasks
However, once these conditions no longer apply, colleagues should return to wearing lace-up safety boots as the standard footwear.
! Importantly, the guidance reinforces that rigger boots are not permitted on Cemex sites.
While safety Wellington boots offer protection in certain environments, they provide less ankle support than lace-up boots and may increase the risk of slips, trips, falls and ankle injuries when used in unsuitable conditions.
Managers
Please help reinforce these requirements by:
- Sharing the guidance with all site personnel.
- Ensuring contractors, hauliers, visitors and drivers are aware of the footwear requirements.
- Displaying the accompanying poster on noticeboards, welfare facilities and other prominent locations.
- Using the accompanying PowerPoint slide to reinforce the message through toolbox talks, site inductions and routine safety discussions.
You can find the poster and slide on the UK News download page: here and here
Selecting the right footwear for the conditions is an important control measure that helps protect everyone working on our sites. Thank you for your support in communicating and reinforcing these requirements across Cemex operations.
Stay safe. Choose the right footwear for the task and conditions every time.