Foot and Leg Protection
Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or rolling objects or from crushing or penetrating materials should wear protective footwear. Also, employees whose work involves exposure
to hot substances or corrosive or
poisonous materials must have protective gear to cover exposed body parts,
including legs and feet. If an employee’s feet may be exposed to electrical
hazards, non-conductive footwear should be worn. On the other hand, workplace exposure
to static electricity may necessitate the use of conductive footwear. Examples
of situations in which an employee should wear foot or leg protection include:
- When heavy objects such as barrels
or tools might roll onto or fall on the employee’s feet;
- Working with sharp objects such as
nails or spikes that could pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;
- Exposure to molten metal that might
splash on feet or legs;
- Working on or around hot, wet, or
slippery surfaces (such as roofing, paving, or hot metal industries); and
- Working when electrical hazards are
present.