Foot Protection

Leg Protection

Leg protective devices, which meet WCB Standard PPE 14.1, shall be worn by all persons operating power chain saws. This would include, but not be limited to power saw chaps, leggings or pants, provided they are in good condition and are marked or otherwise identified by the manufacturer as meeting the WCB Standard. Casual use of chain saws still requires the operator to wear this protective apparel.

Chaps or leggings must be worn so that the pad is centred over the knee area and is adequately secured to the leg or garment to ensure that it cannot be pulled aside and reduce protection. The chaps should not be of a design which will limit movement of the wearer or cause a tripping hazard.

Footwear

Workers are required to wear footwear to protect them from injury. The material and construction of this footwear must be appropriate to the protection required.

There are job activities and work environments where, although the dangers of injury to the person do not require the specific protective footwear meeting the requirements of the CSA standard, appropriate footwear must be worn to prevent injury to the person. Other dangers against which protection is required include, but are not limited to: slipping, dampness, heat, cold, uneven ground or work surfaces that could twist the ankle, harmful materials that could contact the skin of the foot, ankle or lower leg, abrasion or hits to the ankle.

Suitable footwear, appropriate to the potential hazard(s) involved and the related protection required, shall be worn by all persons in any industrial activity within TRU. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that, where necessary, the footwear provides:

1. a physical barrier to prevent initial skin contact with any hazardous liquid;
2. a sole and heel of non-slip materials;
3. adequate ankle support (where activities require this type of protection).

Where the person's job activity or work environment has a danger of injury to the toes, metatarsal area (bones of the foot), or soles of the feet, the footwear must incorporate devices to protect against the danger. The dangers can include, but not be limited to:

1. tools, materials or equipment dropping or rolling onto the toes or top of the foot, or
2. stepping on sharp objects which can cut or puncture the sole of the foot.

If one or more of these dangers exist, workers must wear footwear with the necessary features meeting the requirements of CSA Standard Z195 or equivalent. If the footwear does not have these protective features, the alternative of using footguards or other effective devices is acceptable.

Any type of footwear which has deteriorated to the point where it does not provide the required adequate protection, shall not be worn.

The degree of protection to the toe can be illustrated as:

Grade 1	Dropping a 14 kg (30 lb) weight from 1 metre (3 ft) onto toe
Grade 2	Dropping a 9 kg (20 lb) weight from 1 metre (3 ft) onto toe
Grade 3	Dropping a 7 kg (15 lb) weight from 1 metre (3 ft) onto toe

Table 1. Identification code for footwear meeting CSA Standard Z195

Grade	Internal CSA Label Colour	Sole puncture protection External patch colour	Electric shock resistant soles External Patch Colour
1	Green	Green	White
2	Yellow	Red	White
3	Yellow	Red	White

Persons who are required to work continually in areas which have the standing surface covered with water or other liquids, shall wear safety boots made of rubber or other synthetic materials which are impervious to the fluids.

Persons involved in any activities where they will be walking on logs, poles, pilings or other round timbers will be required to wear caulk-soled footwear.

Athletic shoes (i.e. running shoes, court shoes) provide a considerable degree of comfort and support to the foot in strenuous activities, but this type of footwear is only acceptable within the work environment where the style and construction provides adequate protection from the dangers to which the worker will be exposed. For example, mesh-type covering over the toe area would not be acceptable in a laboratory where there is a danger of chemicals dropping onto the foot. Low cut uppers will not be acceptable where there is a danger of abrasion to the ankle. The use of running shoes which are equipped with safety toes is not permitted within TRU operations.

The following table provides some guidance in determining what type of footwear would be appropriate for different applications. If anyone is unsure about what is the correct type of footwear to be used for a certain job, the Occupational Health and Safety Department should be consulted.

Table 2. Footwear Requirements for Different Work Activities

Type of Work Activity	Footwear Type
Office / classroom work, with no exposure to any hazardous chemical liquids, or to any physical hazards to the foot from falling objects, materials or liquids.	No special requirements. Non-slip soles are preferred, but not mandatory.
Office / classroom work, with some exposure to hazardous chemical liquids. Activities in any science laboratory setting.	Substantial footwear made of non-porous materials, which encloses the foot (i.e. nylon mesh running shoes would not be suitable). Non-slip soles are preferred.
Office work, with some exposure to physical hazards to the foot from falling objects, materials or non- caustic/corrosive liquids.	Substantial footwear which enclose the foot. Safety shoes are preferred, but not mandatory if the wearer is not regularly exposed to hazards. Non-slip soles are preferred.
Work in any industrial shop, i.e. heavy duty mechanic, automotive, carpentry, welding, electrical, etc. Regular work associated with any trade activity, i.e. carpentry, mechanical repair, electrical, etc.	Safety footwear meeting the requirements of CSA Standard Z195 "Safety Footwear", (i.e. safety boots) which are appropriate to the hazards involved. Non-slip soles are required.
Work in the outdoors, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing ladders, stairs, etc.	Substantial boots which provide adequate ankle support for the wearer. Safety boots may be required depending on work activity. Non-slip soles are required.
Any work associated with walking on logs, poles, pilings, or other round timbers	Caulked soled footwear. Boots are not required to have safety toes in this footwear.

Table 3. Prohibited Footwear

Work Activity	Type of Footwear Prohibited
Regular work activities in a science laboratory.	Open footwear (i.e. thongs or sandals). Footwear made of porous materials (i.e. nylon, cloth)
Regular work activities described in numbers 4 through 6 in Table 3 above.	Running shoes, thongs or sandals, cowboy boots. Open toed footwear.
When operating mobile equipment which has foot operated controls.	Platform fashion footwear.