OSHA requirements for toe protection.

The issue around OSHA requirements for toe protection offered with overshoes is a fuzzy but understandable area. The standards previously recommended by this American body were replaced by the ASTM F 2413-05 standard. Typically, safetytoe overshoes are tested against these standards.

OSHA does not approve safety items but expects products that meet their minimum requirements to be used where appropriate. In any situation where “toe protection” is desirable, tests that prove safetytoe overshoes meet these standards are an indication that suitable protection has been offered where only toe protection is required . However, since overshoes with steel toe caps do not conform to standardized safety footwear construction, passing grades are always 'qualified'.

This means that, while safetytoe overshoes pass ASTM F 2413-05 Performance Requirements for Foot Protection for Class I/75 Impact and Class C/75 Compression tests, manufacturers are not allowed to label their products as safety footwear meeting the full ASTM F 2413-05 standard. However, they are permitted to state that their products have been tested in accordance with ASTM F 2412-05 testing methods and rely on the belief that OSHA would agree that successfully tested safetytoe overshoes provide adequate toe protection.

Safetytoe overshoes must not be considered as safety footwear where another type of foot protection is deemed necessary. For example, metatarsal or puncture resistance protection can only be provided by using a full safety boot or safety shoe. Overshoes with steel toe caps are most commonly used as toe protection for visitors, and as such, can reasonably be considered as meeting the OSHA toe protection requirements as laid out in the I/75 and C/75.

In the absence of a full safety shoe being available, safetytoes are considered a prudent substitute where toe protection is deemed advisable and they are an excellent preference over the old “yellow clackers” that were once the only alternative.

The various types of safetytoe overshoes on the market today all seem to have been tested against the ASTM standard. In the case of the 'Slipp-R', the rugged 100% rubber product (the 4.5 mm to 6 mm thickness may be of particular interest in your work environments) is gaining popularity in North America after only being launched in October 2006. Our customer surveys told us that a hard-wearing but stylish safety overshoe was needed. Our product will not stiffen or crack in cold temperatures and has a unique “all-flat” sole that incorporates anti-slip qualities. In particular, we are pleased that our ‘Slipp-R’s are very easy to put on and pull off and their overall innovative design is conducive to improved safety in the workplace and at home.

It’s all about safety after-all and if they don’t look good, and aren’t easy to wear, it would defeat the purpose.

Mister Safetytoes