PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR POLICY

POLICY: Each affected employee shall wear 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.
This policy incorporates the requirements of the U.S. OSHA Regulations 1910.136, Occupational Foot Protection and ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection - Protective Footwear."
PURPOSE: To select, and have each affected employee use appropriate foot protection at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, in order to minimize the risk of foot injuries.  (Information from the Safety Manual on Foot Protection)
RESPONSIBILITIES: It is the responsibility of the Department Director to perform a job hazard analysis to determine the need for specific foot protection and to ensure that appropriate foot protection is being worn.
Employees are responsible for their own safe use of foot protection.  They shall wear the approved foot protection as part of their daily uniform.
Management/Supervisors are responsible for implementing an appropriate foot protection program for individuals, work, and areas under their direction.  They shall:
* Evaluate all their work areas and tasks and assess the risk for foot injuries, plus slips and falls and electrical shock where footwear may have an impact.
* Determine the need for specific foot protection.
* Ensure appropriate, approved foot protection is being worn.
* Provide adequate storage and care capability.
* Ensure foot protection requirements are being followed.
The Safety Department shall:
* Provide professional consultation and guidance to management for all foot protection program elements.
* Audit the foot protection program and assist management in developing effective strategies for indicated improvement.
PROCEDURES: Perform job hazard safety analysis to determine the need for and type of foot protection.
Ensure appropriate, approved foot protection is selected and ensure that it fits properly.
All protective footwear shall meet the requirements of ANSI Standard Z41-1991:
Protective footwear is intended to provide protection for the toes against external forces through the use of a protective toe box.  Compression and Impact resistant protective footwear shall be rated no less than C/75 and I/75, respectively.
Electrical Hazard Safety footwear shall provide protection against open circuits of 600 volts or less under dry conditions.  No metal parts shall be incorporated in the sole or heel of the shoe. 
Sole Puncture resistant footwear shall include a protective device that will provide protection against puncture wounds of the sole of the foot for the life of the footwear.
The identification of all protective footwear certified as meeting the requirements of this standard shall follow a consistent pattern.  One shoe of each pair shall be clearly and legibly identified in letters and numbers by stitched-in labels, stamping, and/or pressure-sensitized labels.  The labels shall identify the shoe as complying with the standard, the year of the standard, gender, and which sections of the standard the shoe complies with.

i.e.,)  ANSI Z41 PT 91
         M  I/75  C/75
         EH
No affected employee may work without safety shoes where there is a danger of the above-mentioned hazards.  If anyone needs information on what type of foot protection is appropriate, please contact the Safety Department.
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu