You probably have many safety rules at your workplace. Regardless of whether you work in an office or on a construction site, there are laws that regulate the safety of your work space to ensure you and other workers are kept safe from hazards. In many workplace injuries in Los Angeles, steel-toed shoes are a requirement. While you may think it is your employer’s requirement, this may not be the case.
According to Safety Equipment FAQ, most employers who require you to wear steel-toed shoes do so because they are required to by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA requirements state that any worker who may be exposed to situations where a foot injury could occur due to falling, rolling or piercing objects must wear steel-toed shoes. In addition, if there is a risk for electrical shock, you also must wear them. So, in many cases, your employer has no option but to require this style of footwear.
Your employer also is likely insisting on these safety shoes to keep you safe and avoid injuries. Injuries cause downtime and can be costly. Plus, there are many different scenarios where your feet could be in harm’s way. Everything from a falling box to a sharp tool being dropped could pose a risk for an injury. It is not surprising then that many employers require steel-toed footwear.
The bottom line is if your employer tells you that you must wear steel-toed shoes or boots, then you should comply. It is really for your own safety. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
