Prevent Personal Injury By Wearing Protective Footwear

Protective footwear helps keep feet safe and prevent personal injury. Steel toe boots and shoes protect your feet and reduce the severity of injuries that may occur in the workplace. In many work places falling and rolling objects, or cuts and punctures are a serious concern. Protective footwear would help protect workers from injuries.

According to the National Safety Council, only 1 out of 4 victims of job-related foot injury wear any type of protective shoes or boots. The foot is one of the most valuable parts of your body subjected to injury in industry. Because of the many potential work hazards, it is important that you discuss with your supervisor the safety shoe, boot, or other protective equipment that you need for your protection.

The OSHA requirements for protective footwear are found within 29 CFR 1910.136. The general requirements are that an 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.

Protective footwear purchased after July 5, 1994 must comply with ANSI Z41-1991, “American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear,” which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective. Protective footwear must also comply with ANSI Z41.1-1967; “USA Standard for Men’s Safety-Toe Footwear.”

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, learn about your legal rights from an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney by filling out our free, no obligation case review form located on this website.