Must foot protection be marked?

OSHA does not have a separate requirement that protective footwear be marked simply for the sake of marking. However, under 29 CFR 1910.136(b), protective footwear must comply with one of the consensus standards listed in the rule, including ASTM F2412-2005 and ASTM F2413-2005, ANSI Z41-1999, or ANSI Z41-1991, unless the employer demonstrates that the footwear is at least as effective as footwear constructed under one of those listed standards.

ANSI Z41 has been discontinued and replaced by ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413 for protective footwear. ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413 have also been updated since the editions incorporated by reference in OSHA’s rule. Because of that, employers should use the footwear marking, current ASTM information, manufacturer information, and the workplace PPE hazard assessment to confirm that the footwear provides the protection needed for the specific hazard, such as impact, compression, puncture, metatarsal, static-dissipative, conductive, or electrical-hazard protection.