Types of Leg & Foot Protection

Types of protective foot and leg protection can include:

• Work boots (such as steel toe)
• Safety shoes
• Non-conductive boots
• Flat soled shoes
• Non-slip shoes
• Leggings
• Leg and foot guards
• Knee pads

In some work environments, certain types of shoes are not permitted (open toed, high heel, sandals, and so on).

Some safety shoes have impact-resistant toes and heat-resistant soles that protect against hot surfaces. Others have metal insoles to protect against puncture wounds.

They can be designed to be electrically conductive for wearing explosive atmospheres (to protect against sparks), or non-conductive to protect from workplace electrical hazards.

Conductive shoes protect against the buildup of static electricity. These shoes ground the worker wearing them. If you work around explosive materials, grain elevators, combustible dusts and so on, you must wear conductive shoes to protect against spark and potential fire and explosion.

If you wear conductive shoes, do not use foot powder or wear socks made of silk, wool or nylon. Foot powder insulates and retards the shoe's conductive ability, while silk, wool and rayon can produce static electricity.

You should remove conductive shoes after completing the required tasks; they are not general purpose shoes. If you are exposed to electrical hazards, do NOT wear conductive shoes.

Electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes are non-conductive. They can prevent you from completing an electrical to the ground if you are in danger of being shocked.

They can protect you up to 600 volts in dry conditions. You should wear these shoes in conjunction with other insulating equipment (such as insulated rubber gloves) and other precautions, to reduce or eliminate the potential of providing a hazardous electrical path.

Non-conductive footwear must not be used in explosive or hazardous locations; only electrically conductive shoes must be worn.

Metatarsal guards can be part of a safety shoe or an add-on that can be strapped to the outside of shoes. They can protect the instep from impact and compression. Toe guards are also available to strap over a shoe to provide extra protection.

Certain types of rubber or vinyl boots can protect against chemical splashes. Other types of footwear can help alleviate ergonomic stress.

Leg protection can include shin guards or leggings (made of leather, aluminized rayon, or other materials).

Safety shoes must meet the minimum compression and impact performance standards and testing requirements set by ANSI Z41-1991 (if purchased after July 5, 1994). Protective footwear purchased before that date must meet the ANSI Z41-1967 standard.

To learn more about PPE visit our Personal Protective Equipment Online Training web page.