Safety shoes

[maryl]

I read some of the past discussions on safety boots for electricians. (I like the idea of putting an extra protective patch on the toes when the boots are new.)

We require field electricians to purchase ANSI approved safety footwear. They must have a slip-resistant sole and have all leather uppers that provide ankle protection.

I have had several employees ask why the safety shoes that look like athletic tennis shoes can't be used even if they have steel toes and have slip-resistant soles.

If anyone knows of a good article or other source of information (that I don't have to purchase), please let me know.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Safety shoes

Originally posted by maryl: I have had several employees ask why the safety shoes that look like athletic tennis shoes can't be used even if they have steel toes and have slip-resistant soles.

Two days ago I bought safety boots for my first time. The only other time I had such things was over 20 years ago (they were Navy issue, and are long gone). I am now in the "Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering" field, and will have to go onboard various vessels for inspections and as-built verifications. So I think they will be worth having. But I was amazed to see what looked just like running shoes, but that had steel toes and slip resistant soles. I would never have imagined that such things existed.

But as for allowing them to be used in a work environment, I can only echo your employee's question of "why not"? Other than it's not easy for a safety inspector to tell at a distance whether or not they are safety shoes, I don't know why they should not be used. Comfort is a safety issue too. If your "safety shoes" are not comfortable, then you will not be able to work safely while wearing them.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Safety shoes

Other than it's not easy for a safety inspector to tell at a distance whether or not they are safety shoes, I don't know why they should not be used.

You are making the unwarranted assumption that a visual inspection will tell you if shoes are rated safety shoes. I have seen a lot of shoes over the years and unless they have some obvious feature (like a covering over the laces) I don't see any way to tell visually.

One thing I have not seen is slip on safety shoes. I wonder why that is. I have seent hem with velcro instead of laces.

 

[zog]

Re: Safety shoes

The OSHA standard requires electrical worker shoes to be rubber soled, and the NFPA 70E requires the shoes to be leather for HRC 1 and higher, thats about all there is right now. Canada has standards for electrical safety shoes that used to be indicated by a green stripe around the sole but that was recently changed to an omega symbol.

Some shoe manufactures have a rating called "EH", electrical hazard rated, they have a non conductive shank and a layer of high dielectric rubber for extra shock protection, they are tested at the factory by applying 14,000V and they are not allowed to pass more than 3mA.

Red Wing makes these and they have more info on thier website about the EH rating.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Safety shoes

Originally posted by petersonra: You are making the unwarranted assumption that a visual inspection will tell you if shoes are rated safety shoes.

I was talking about the kind of bureaucratic nonsense that some people love. What I mean is this: If someone from the company's Safety Department saw me wearing my new boots, they would see black leather that extends over my ankles. They would probably not be inclined to stop me and inquire whether the toes were protected by steel reinforcement pieces. But if the same person saw you wearing the athletic version of safety shoes, what they would see is running shoes. They are more likely to stop you and tell you that you have to go put on safety shoes before returning to work, and then you would have to tell them they are idiots.

My point is simply that this type of inconvenience is the only drawback that I can see, with regard to allowing the athletic version of safety shoes. I think they should be allowed. The only reason I did not buy them is that I wanted the ankle support.

 

[kentirwin]

Re: Safety shoes

Where I work all the electrical guys wear steel toe "electrical hazard" shoes. I have on a pair of New Balance shoes right now. You cannot visually distinguish them from any other casual footwear. They are also low-tops. As to steel toe "slip on" shoes - I've seen some people here with them and recall seeing them on the shoe truck that periodically comes around - so they do exist, whether electrical hazard I don't know.