Deduct pay for lost PPE

Ruskanen

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 10-27-04 AT 08:59AM (CST)[/font][br][br]We want to issue safety glasses to all employees, and have them sign a form that says they will pay to replace lost glasses. On the Kansas DOL website it states that an employer can not hold a paycheck until equipment is returned, an employer can not take money to cover damages to the employer's equipment/property, and an employer can not make an employee pay for a uniform if it is required by the employer to wear.

But, does having the employee fill out a form that states they agree to pay for any lost equipment exempt us from the above rules? Or is it even legal to have the employee fill out such a form?

What sort of policy do you have to cover the cost of lost safety equipment?

POPEYE

Since we "require" glasses, leather gloves and Kevlar gloves as part of our safety program, we furnish all PPE and replace as needed at no cost to the EE. I could only imagine the uproar we would have trying to make someone pay for something that the company has made a requirement.

Ruskanen

We wouldn't charge for safety equipment when it is initially handed out or replaced due to normal use, just for lost equipment.

pork1

The signing for PPE should only be for the acknowledgement of the individual and the company that: number 1 the company issued the equipment and number 2 that you have given specific safety training on the how to and why to use the PPE and the consequences for the failure to use the equiment while doing job task. Given these two things are present and enforced by the company supervisory personnel responsible for the individual, the company may have some defense of why someone got injured.

It could, likewise, be used against the company if you have a documented program and it is not practiced and used across the board by all concerned workers and supervisors. It is almost better "not to have a document", but still require the issue, training, proper use, and supervision. If losted, you can certainly stop the employee from working until the company can replace the lost item, you can certainly start a discipline program with this individual for the lost equipment and time, which can amount to elimination from employment all together.

PORK