Footwear Assessment
Why It’s So Important

Occupational health and safety legislation makes it mandatory for employers and supervisors to eliminate hazards at their source, and, if this is neither possible nor practical, to require their workers to wear the appropriate protective equipment.

In the case of foot injury protection, selection of the type of footwear adequate to the existing hazards is of a critical importance. From time to time, and as new footwear styles become available, it is prudent to review your workplace’s safety policies to ensure that workers continue to be protected from any possible hazards.

At minimum, a hazard assessment should be done to ensure that workers are protected from any present or possible hazards. In addition, workplaces may choose to require certain styles of footwear, shoes or clothing for various reasons. These choices may (or may not) be related to safety concerns.

Footwear Safety Checklist

When conducting your hazard assessment, consider using the following from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health to meet your specific needs. In all cases, remember to ask yourself “Is this a hazard for my workplace?” and “Will the footwear provide protection from this hazard?”

Hazard

- Is this an issue for the workplace/ specific job or task? (Yes / No)
- Is the worker protected by the style of footwear under review? (Yes / No)
- Is there a risk of injuries from punctures, crushing, cuts, lacerations, needles, or falling objects?
- Is there a need for a closed toe (vs. open toe)?
- Is there need for additional protection such as an internal steel toecap? (recommended for persons lifting or carrying objects or heavy loads)
- Is there need for metatarsal protection (top side of the foot)?
- Is there need for a protective sole (puncture resistance for the bottom of the foot)?
- Is there need for specialized footwear (e.g., protection from chainsaws)?

Slips, trips and falls (does the footwear contribute to this risk?)
- Is the sole made of appropriate anti-slip material for the flooring or walking conditions?
- Is there a risk of the soles quickly becoming dirty or worn out which reduces the slip-resistant qualities?
- Is the shoe secure on the foot (e.g., are laces or a closed back required)?
- Is there need to provide support to heels and ankles to help reduce twists and sprains?
- Is a closed back required?
 - Is a higher ankle shoe or boot required?
- Is there risk of contact with fluids or molten material?
- Is the fluid a hazard (e.g., corrosive, solvent, hot?)
- Is there need for a closed shoe or additional protection?
- Is there risk of contact with bodily fluids or other biohazards?
- Is there need for a closed shoe (vs. styles with holes or mesh)?

Can the shoe be cleaned adequately?
Is there risk of electrical conduction or shock?
- Is there need for electric shock resistance?
- Is there need for static-dissipative footwear?
- Is there need for footwear that is electrically conductive?
- Is the shoe comfortable to wear?

How long does the employee stand or walk during a workday or shift?
- Is there need for protection from water or wetness?
- Is there need for insulation from the cold?
- If there is a risk for foot injury at your workplace, be sure you recommend all employees wear the appropriate footwear.
- It is also good practice to allow for several styles of footwear to be worn when ever possible to allow for the differences in foot sizes, comfort and individual preferences.

What should I know about safety footwear?
If your employees are at risk for foot injury at your workplace set up a complete foot safety protection program that includes selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection.

Safety footwear is designed to protect feet against a wide variety of injuries. Impact, compression, and puncture are the most common types of foot injury.

Choose footwear according to the hazard. Refer to ANSI Standard Z41. Ensure that it has the proper rating for the hazard and the proper sole for the working conditions.

Fit:
When it comes to fit, consider the following:
- Walk in new footwear to ensure it is comfortable;
- Boots should have ample toe room;
- Make allowances for extra socks or special arch supports when buying boots;
- Boots should fit snugly around the heel and ankle when laced;
- Lace up boots fully. High-cut boots provide support against ankle injury.

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- Use a protective coating to make footwear water-resistant;
- Inspect footwear regularly for damage;
- Repair or replace worn or defective footwear;
- Electric shock resistance of footwear is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear.

What symbols will be on the footwear?
The following symbols, or markings, will help you determine which footwear is appropriate for the job.

Selection of Safety Footwear Marking/Criteria/Use
Green triangle footwear has sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe (withstand impact up to 125 joules). To be worn in any industrial or heavy work environment, including construction, where sharp objects are present (such as nails).

Yellow triangle footwear has sole puncture protection and Grade 2 protective toe (withstand impact up to 90 joules) for light industrial work environments that need both puncture and toe protection.
White rectangle with orange Greek letter “omega” footwear has soles that provide electric shock resistance. To be worn in any industrial environment where accidental contact with live electrical conductors can occur. (REMEMBER: Electric shock resistance is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear).

Yellow Rectangle with green letters “SD” and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are static dissipative. Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment.

Red rectangle with black letter “C” and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are electrically conductive. For any industrial environment where low-power electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment.

White label with green fir tree symbol footwear provides protection when using chainsaws. For forestry workers and others who work with or around hand-held chainsaws and other cutting tools.

Note 1: The ® symbol indicates the preferred position for the identifying logo or mark or the certifying agency.

Note 2: Labels are on the tongue of the right shoe at ankle height. They may also appear at ankle height on the shoe itself (for electrical protection footwear)

From: “Z195.1-02 Guideline on Selection, Care and Use of Protective Footwear.” FSM