Are steel toe boots required? What does OSHA say about them? 

OSHA on Steel Toe Boots

OSHA 1910.136 says, “The employer shall ensure 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, and where such employee’s feet are exposed to electrical hazards.”

ASTM Standard for Steel Toe Boots

OSHA then references the manufacturing requirements of the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). OSHA states that protective footwear must comply with the relevant ASTM or ANSI standards. Meaning that steel toe boots must comply the ASTM standards.

Manufacturers of steel toe protective footwear submit their products to the ASTM for testing and approval. ASTM tests the impact resistance, puncture resistance and the compression resistance of the steel toe and/or steel mid-sole.

This means that if boots meet the ASTM standards they comply with OSHA requirements.

OK…But Do I need Steel Toe Boots?

If a work environment or job site potentially contains a “danger of foot injuries” due to falling, rolling or piercing objects, then steel toe boots are required.

These dangers can include nails, cinder blocks, bags of concrete, vehicles (fork lifts), heavy packages, barrels, etc. In other words, there aren’t many scenarios where some or most of these risks aren’t present.

So the answer is most likely…yes. Steel toe boots are required.

All the pics are linked to products at Major Safety. There you can get additional info, purchase, or contact us with more questions. We are happy to help.

by Corby Amos