Are there certain jobs that require foot protection?

OSHA does not provide clear-cut guidance as to who is and who is not required to wear foot protection or certain types of foot protection. This responsibility remains with the employer, but OSHA does provide guidance on the required hazard assessment requirements under 1910.132(d) in Appendix B to Subpart I. Paragraph 10 of the Appendix includes the following:

“Some occupations (not a complete list) for which foot protection should be routinely considered are:

• Shipping and receiving clerks
• Stock clerks
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Machinists
• Mechanics and repairers
• Plumbers and pipe fitters
• Structural metal workers
• Assemblers
• Drywall installers and lathers
• Packers
• Wrappers
• Craters
• Punch and stamping press operators
• Sawyers
• Welders
• Laborers
• Freight handlers
• Gardeners and grounds-keepers
• Timber cutting and logging workers
• Stock handlers, an
• Warehouse laborers.

OSHA says in additional guidance that situations in which employees should wear foot and/or leg protection include:

• When heavy objects such as barrels or tools might roll onto or fall on the employee’s feet;
• Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;
• Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;
• Working on or around hot, wet, or slippery surfaces; and
• Working when electrical hazards are present.