Protective footwear worn in the workplace is designed to protect the foot from physical hazards such as:
- Falling or rolling objects
- Stubbing or banging
- Chemical or corrosive contact
- Electrical shock
- Slips and falls
Foot Protection Determination
The initial step for assessing the need of personal protective equipment (PPE) is a hazard assessment. The assessment is an important element of a PPE program because it produces the information needed to select the appropriate PPE for any hazards present or likely to be present at particular workplaces.
What's Involved in Performing a Hazard Assessment?
Since this is a performance-oriented standard, employers must act in a reasonably prudent manner in determining when and how employees, who are exposed to foot injury hazards, are to be protected.
Determining Type of Footwear
Select protective footwear based on the hazard assessment. For example:
- Steel-toed shoes to resist impact
- Metatarsal guards to resist impact above the toes
- Reinforced flexible metal soles or inner shoes to protect against punctures (assuming there's no risk of electrical contact)
- Sandals and open-toed shoes are prohibited in laboratories (including art studios), and food service areas (for safety and hygienic reasons)
- For falling objects, use footwear with steel toes.
- Use metatarsal guards if there is the hazard to the metatarsal region above the toes.
- Wear chemical resistant footwear (e.g., rubber, neoprene) in areas with potential chemical or corrosive splashes. Check the MSDS to match footwear with individual chemicals.
- Replace worn footwear.
Even if protective footwear is not deemed necessary, employees should still wear sturdy shoes with nonskid soles. Sandals, sneakers or dress shoes may not be appropriate for many physical activities.