This topic covers OSHA’s regulations for employee foot protection, which are a subset of its personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
OSHA requires protective footwear whenever employees are exposed to foot injury risks from falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or electrical hazards. Foot PPE typically includes protective toes (for protection from impact and compression hazards), puncture-resistant soles (for protection from sharp protuding objects), and/or insulated nonconductive material (for protection against electrical hazards). It is the employer’s responsibility to determine the hazards to which workers are exposed and select appropriate PPE.
For related resources and training materials, refer to the following topics: