May 1, 1992
20.4.156
The grievor sought that the department issue non-hazardous coveralls.
It was alleged that the coveralls issued were unsuitable because of features in the coveralls constituting a safety hazard. The features which were considered a safety hazard were straps on the wrist and ankles, which the were considered a tripping hazard; large pockets without flaps, which might trap falling objects; and metal buttons and underarm grommets which could constitute an electrical hazard. In addition the coveralls were considered a heavy material, dark green in colour, and are hot for summer wear.
The Administrative Committee considered the report 0f the Occupational Safety and Health Committee.
The Administrative Committee noted that the report advised that in the past a hazard report had been filed on these coveralls and the employer responded by issuing white coveralls, without the features considered a safety hazard. These coveralls had previously been issued only to flight line crews. The white coveralls were subsequently withdrawn, and a new green coverall issued, with the same perceived hazardous features.
The Administrative Committee further noted that the report advised that the grievor works in road and ground maintenance. The coveralls issued to the grievor were for general use, and are not indented to be a major safety item. They are intended to protect the employees clothing and provide protection against minor abrasion and scratches to which they are exposed. The coveralls, like other garments, go through many trials for compliance before they are purchased for issue, and there are no statistics to indicate there have been any injuries arising from these coveralls, or this colour of garment. The white coveralls requested were designed for aircraft mechanics/technicians, and were manufactured in this manner to protect the aircraft, rather than as protection for the employees. The metal buttons and grommets could scratch the aircraft, and the white colour was chosen to reveal the presence of oil or grease, in order to prevent it from being transferred to the interior of the aircraft. The dark green colour is considered more serviceable in that soiling is not so apparent, and further, general purpose coveralls were issued in white for some time and it was found there was difficulty in controlling which were returned to the aircraft technicians from the laundry. The green general purpose coveralls were not used in situations requiring special protective equipment, such as welding. It was also noted that the dark green coverall is to be withdrawn and will be replaced with a light blue coverall of the same design. However, the buttons may not be metal on the replacement coveralls, and the metal grommets will not be provided, as they are not readily available in the commercial market.
The Administrative Committee agreed with the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Committee in that since specialized protective clothing is provided to employees exposed to specific risks and the coveralls in question are ”general purpose”, the employee was treated within the intent of the standard.
The grievance was denied.