• The OSHA standard for foot protection applies to all employers whose employees are exposed to certain hazards in the workplace.
• Employers must provide foot protection at no cost to employees whenever certain hazards are present.
• Foot protection must meet one of three industry standards: ANSI Z41-1991, ANSI-Z41 1999, or ASTM F-2412-2005 and F-2413-2005.

Employers must make sure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.

What are the PPE requirements for foot protection?

Employers who are covered by the standard must:

• Assess the workplace for areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard. NOTE: There isn’t a specific construction rule that requires a hazard assessment, like there is for General Industry. However, it is a best practice to complete one.
• Select footwear appropriate to the hazards of the job.
• Provide foot protection at no cost to the employee, except for non-specialty steel-toe shoes if the employer allows them to be taken off the jobsite.
• Ensure safety footwear meets one of four Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-accepted industry standards (American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z41-1991, ANSI-Z41 1999, or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F-2412-2005 and F-2413-2005) or Z41.1-1967.
• Train employees on the use, care, maintenance, and inspection of safety footwear.

Who must comply?

OSHA’s occupational foot protection rule (1926.96) applies to employers with employees who could be exposed to such hazards.