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PPE Selection »  Foot Protection
 
Foot protection
Figure 1: Foot protection.
OSHA hierarchy of controls is: 
  1. Engineering Controls
  2. Administration Controls
  3. Personal Protective Equipment 
Workers may be at risk of crushing injuries due to contact with falling or rolling objects [1915.156]; as well as punctures from sharp objects.

Additional hazards include contact with:
  • Electrical or electricity
  • Molten metals
  • Hot surfaces
  • Chemicals
  • Wet or slippery surfaces
Injuries may be prevented by the use of appropriate footwear.








Use and Selection of Foot Protection 
Potential Hazards:

Workers may be exposed to injuries including:
  • Crushing from falling objects,
  • Crushing from rolling cylinders,
  • Punctures from sharp objects,
  • Burns or shocks from electrical hazards,
  • Burns from molten metal or hot surfaces,
  • Skin contact or burns from chemicals, or
  • Slips and falls from wet or slippery surfaces.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
  • Workers must wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of falling or rolling objects or objects piercing the sole. [1915.156(a)] Examples include:
    • Impact injuries from carrying or handling materials such as equipment, objects, parts, or heavy tools which could be dropped or from objects that may fall during work activities
    • Compression injuries from work activities involving forklifts, gas cylinders, and heavy pipes, which could roll onto worker's feet
    • Puncture injuries from sharp objects such as nails, screws, staples, scrap or sheet metal, which workers may step on
  • Protective footwear must meet ANSI Z41 or equivalent design requirements [1915.156(b)].
  • Safety shoes or boots may be required to provide special electrical conduction or insulation to prevent electric shock or static electric spark.
  • Chemical-resistant boots may be required to provide protection from caustic, reactive, toxic, or corrosive materials during cleaning, painting, or surface preparation.
  • Slip-resistant soled shoes should be worn when working on slippery surfaces.

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