Construction Safety - Construction Worker Foot Protection

Justin Rogers

Contributor

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Think of the number different ways one could injure a foot while working construction; there are a lot. Injuries result when feet are caught in cracks, run over by moving vehicles, crushed by heavy objects, punctured by sharp objects, burned, or even electrocuted; the list goes on and on. Other causes of foot injury are less obvious, such as wearing footwear improperly, using the wrong type of footwear, or the type of flooring used in the workplace. In 2006, there was just under eight thousand foot and toe injuries within the construction industry, which accounted for about five percent of all construction worker injuries.

It is the employer’s responsibility to determine if there are hazards within the workplace that require the use of foot protection in order to prevent injury. In order to determine what hazards are present within the workplace and what type personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, a hazard assessment should be completed by a competent person. After the employer has assessed the workplace for possible hazards, the hazard assessment should be documented by identifying the person who completed the assessment, and the date the assessment was completed.

Where foot protection is required, the employer must select foot protection that will protect each worker from injuries that could be caused by hazards identified in the hazard assessment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations require that all footwear purchased after July 5, 1994 comply with the American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear established by the American National Standards Institute.

Although not required to do so, many employees will provide their own protective footwear. However, where employees pride their own foot protection, it remains the employer’s responsibility to see that the footwear complies with OSHA standards and regulations.

There are a number of factors that should be taken under consideration when selecting proper protective footwear. Footwear should be comfortable, provide ample to room, and fit snugly around the heel and ankle when lace. Also, boots should be fully laced and it is important to remember that high-cut boots help provide support to protect against ankle injury. Most importantly, protective footwear should be selected so that it will protect against the specific hazards identified within the hazard assessment; whether the hazard is chemicals, heat, electric shock, or sharp objects.

Again, the employee is not required to provide his or her own face or eye protection. However, an employee may, if he or she so desires, provide their own protective equipment so long as it is adequate.