Posted23 Jan 2018
As a workplace safety manager, you are not only responsible for assessing risks and hazards, implementing plans to reduce risk, determining and providing the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for your workers, but you are also responsible for ongoing inspection and maintenance of PPE. In the case of Safety Footwear, this means you will ascertain for each employee whether their footwear is appropriate for them personally, appropriate for their particular working environment, and the demands of their particular job, you provide training in the proper maintenance and storage of their footwear, and you schedule regular inspections for damage or wear as well as spot inspections when appropriate. For example, should a worker have a heavy object fall on his foot, you would inspect the steel or composite toe cap for damage that might require the footwear to be replaced. The goal is to keep workers safe at all times while following the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) regulations.
Ongoing inspection and maintenance of safety footwear requires physical examination, testing, cleaning, repair if necessary, worker training in maintenance of the footwear, and replacement as needed. You would inspect different aspects of the footwear depending upon its type: shoe, boot, trainer, rigger, or wellington.
Inspection
Creating and following a checklist for your inspection is helpful:
Footwear Fit.Feet can change shape over time – as the individual ages, if the wearer gains or loses weight, if they become arthritic, diabetic, or develops plantar fasciitis. Fit and comfort are just as important as surface protections.
Sole Wear and Tear.The tread on shoes and boots will wear and slip-resistance will reduce over time. The footwear needs to be replaced in this instance also if the side of the shoe or boot has worn down as it creates less ankle support.
Faults or Damage.Footwear should be checked for defects at the time of purchase, and for faults that may show up later at scheduled times of inspection. Damage can happen to a boot or shoe through regular usage and through exposure to hazards, such as puncture, falling heavy objects, exposure to the elements and chemicals. You would inspect the interior and exterior of the footwear – for obvious damage, for sole separation, for dented toe caps, for punctures or abrasion.
Dirt.You should also check for dirt as the footwear needs to be kept clean to meet HSE’s safety standards. Keeping the footwear clean contributes to its longevity and functionality. If you require the employee to clean their own footwear, then you should note this in their employment contract and provide proper training at the time of allocation. In the case of safety wellingtons used in food processing or chemical industries, cleaning may also require disinfection; as safety manager, you would provide safety protocols for this.
According to the HSE’s L25 document, all companies are responsible for pulling PPE once they’ve hit their shelf life. It is the responsibility of the safety manager to note this date and replace footwear when it has hit its shelf life, regardless whether the boot or shoe “looks” like it is still good.
Maintenance
When not in use, footwear should be cleaned and stored in a clean, dry space, per HSE regulations for PPE care and maintenance.
According to the Safety & Health Practitioner, there are five components to any good maintenance system: examination, testing, cleaning/disinfection, repair, and replacement. If you provide protocols for these components, for which the worker is responsible, then you as safety manager would provide the proper training for these protocols.
At the end of a day the worker would clean & disinfect their footwear as indicated for its type, and during the process visually examine it for damage or defect. They would bring it to you for appropriate repair or replacement as needed. For more information about workplace safety practices please feel free tocontact us.
Read more about the common problems with safety footwear and how to avoid them.
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FAQs
Ongoing inspection and maintenance of safety footwear requires physical examination, testing, cleaning, repair if necessary, worker training in maintenance of the footwear, and replacement as needed. You would inspect different aspects of the footwear depending upon its type: shoe, boot, trainer, rigger, or wellington.
How often should safety footwear be inspected? ›
Safety footwear should be inspected prior to each use. They should be checked for wear and tear and replaced as needed. Look for cracks or holes, separation of materials, broken buckles or laces.
What are the OSHA standards for safety footwear? ›
Your employer requires that the safety-toe footwear must be worn at all times regardless of the presence of a hazard; must have a leather upper; must have oil resistant and non-skid soles, and must comply with ASTM 2413-05 with a impact resistance rating of 75 and an compression resistance rating of 75.
When should you inspect your safety boots? ›
Prior to each use – Do a quick visual inspection and feel for any defects before putting them on. Look for cracks, tears, holes, separations, embedded objects, etc. After any incident – Thoroughly inspect footwear after any incident where they may have been impacted, such as dropping a heavy object on them.
What is the ANSI standard for footwear? ›
ANSI's standard for safety footwear is the ASTM F2413 standard. This standard covers the minimum requirements for safety footwear, including impact and compression resistance, metatarsal protection, and electrical hazard protection.
How often should feet be inspected? ›
Checking your feet every day.
Look for cuts, redness, and other changes in the skin and toenails, including warts or other spots that your shoes could rub. Make sure to check the bottoms of your feet too.
What is the protective footwear policy? ›
To ensure the safety of employees, appropriate protective footwear must be worn by all persons when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects that could crush the foot, objects that could pierce the sole, and where the employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.
What are the safety shoes guidelines? ›
Safety shoes or boots must have a leather upper, non-skid soles, oil resistance and impact and compression resistance ratings of 75. The shoes must also have built-in toe caps to meet requirements. Protective footwear is required for employees at risk of injury from: Rolling equipment.
When should safety footwear be expected? ›
Workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and transportation, as well as those who handle hazardous materials or machinery, should wear safety shoes. Additionally, anyone working in slippery, wet, or unstable environments should also wear safety shoes.
How do you check safety shoes? ›
Safety testing involves subjecting the shoes to various hazards that they may encounter in the workplace, such as impact, compression, puncture, and electrical hazards, explains Peter: “For example, shoes may be tested by dropping a heavy weight on them to simulate an impact or by applying pressure to the toe area to ...
Generally, worker's safety shoes can last between six and twelve months in a normal work environment. However, people working in rough worksites such as construction, agriculture, mining and the like may need safety shoe replacement sooner.
What is the basic standard safety shoes? ›
This safety footwear standard requires all safety shoes to have front foot protection against a 200 joule impact. This is the amount of energy the toe region can absorb before breaking. Under the EN ISO 20345 standard there are different safety classes like S1 or S3 for example.
How do you inspect shoes? ›
Footwear Inspection: Look inside!
Run your hand around the collar, feel for any lump, bumps, or glue. For leather shoes, be on the lookout for any lasting nails or staples. For sports shoes, make sure the footbed is straight, level, and fitting correctly.
What does OSHA say about work boots? ›
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, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a ...
What are the ASTM standards for footwear? ›
Footwear certified as meeting the ASTM F2413 standard must primarily meet the protection requirements for (I) impact resistance and (C) compression resistance. Then, additional protection criteria, if met, are labeled accordingly, depending on specific footwear protection requirements.
What is the ANSI Z41 1999 requirement? ›
The ANSI Z41 standard defines performance measurements and test methods for protective footwear. Effective with the last revision of this standard, the ANSI Z41-1999 requires suppliers and manufactures of Protective Footwear to have independent laboratory test results available to confirm compliance with the standard.
How often is PPE required to be inspected? ›
PPE intended to protect workers from exposure to toxic substances or harmful physical agents should be inspected before each use for damage that could compromise safety.
