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Lab Regs for Footwear Laced Up Tight

Lab Safety Advisor, August 8, 2005

Among the guidelines for footwear set by the major regulatory bodies are these:

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, formerly the NCCLS) in its document GP17-A2 says, "Shoes should be comfortable, rubber soled, and cover the entire foot. Disposable, fluid-resistant shoe covers can be worn for jobs where splashing is expected. Because canvas shoes will absorb chemicals or infectious fluids, they are not recommended (if worn, they must be covered with disposable fluid-resistant shoe covers). Leather, or a synthetic, fluid-impermeable material is suggested."

The OSHA PPE standard 1910.132 states, "Employees are required to wear protective footwear when working in areas where feet are exposed to electrical hazards and where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling and rolling objects or a danger of objects piercing the sole (29 CFR 1910.136). . . [a]ppropriate footwear with good traction should be worn for wet or slippery areas."

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