Division of Risk Management State of Florida Loss Prevention Program

You will be able to:  Identify foot hazards.  Choose appropriate footwear for work tasks.  Know the limitations of foot protection.  Use and take care of protective equipment.

 180,000 foot-related injuries.  400 injuries per day.  $6,000 per injury.  1,509 lost-time injuries.

 Falling objects.  Rolling objects.  Objects piercing the sole.  Exposure to electrical hazards.

 Slippery walking surfaces.  Wet or muddy conditions.  Hazardous chemicals.  Cold weather conditions.

 Steel toe.  Composite cap.  Strap-on toe guards.

 Protection from falling and rolling objects for upper part of the foot.  Boots with external protection.  Strap-on metatarsal guards.

 Ankle protection.  Steel shank in the heel.  Sides protected by steel shanks.  Toe and metatarsal protection.

 Prevent penetration by sharp objects.  Have a hard, dense sole.  Have steel shank in the sole.

 Street shoes are not intended for slip resistance.  Soft rubber soles are slip resistant.  Sole has tread with channels.  Still need to walk carefully.

 Wear nonconductive shoes.  Reduce potential electrical shock.  Exposure to 600 volts or less.

 Reduce static electricity.  Conduct charge from body to ground.  Have low electrical resistance.  Wear around flammable or explosive materials.  Wear near sensitive electronic equipment.

 Minimize static electricity.  Reduce ignition of volatile chemicals.  Discharge static into grounded floors.  Should not be worn near electrical hazards.

 Exposure to liquid chemicals, acids, caustics.  Boot material resistant to specific chemical.  Made of rubber, PVC, neoprene, or vinyl.

 Boots to keep feet dry.  Made of PVC or rubber.

 Use a special insulated liner in:  Freezing outdoor conditions.  Refrigerated environments.

 Any questions about workplace hazards to your feet and the different footwear features that will protect against those hazards?

 ANSI standard.  Manufacturer’s tags.  No protection unless identified on tag.

 Fit and comfort.  Plantar fasciitis and heel pain.  Ankle, knee, low back pain.  Insoles.  Orthotics.

 Brush off dust and debris.  Spray mud off with water.  Decontaminate chemical- resistant shoes.  Dry before storage.

 Clean before storage.  Protect from dirt and chemicals.  Prevent unnecessary damage.

 Inspect before each use.  Check toe and metatarsal protection.  Check for holes, tears, cracks.  Check soles for excessive wear.  Discard damaged or defective footwear.

 Any questions about the limitations, use, and care of protective footwear?

 Know the foot hazards in your workplace.  Wear footwear with appropriate protective features for the job.  Know the capabilities and limitations of protective footwear.  Check comfort, fit, and support of footwear.  Clean, store, and inspect footwear.

For more information on this subject, please contact: Division of Risk Management State of Florida Loss Prevention Program (850)