TO: Housekeeping Services Staff
FROM: Pedro, Assistant to the President
SUBJECT: Safety Shoes
According to OSHA Standard Number 1910.136 and Office of State Personnel Workplace Requirements for Safety and Health, foot protection is required when employees are exposed to the possibility of foot injuries from falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, and where the employee’s feet are exposed to electrical hazards. State of North Carolina Executive Directive No. 8 established a shoe allowance of $80.00 effective June 30, 1995 with a limit of one pair per year per state employee. The Office of State Budget and Management reviews this allowance every two years to allow for inflation.
Based on a hazard assessment conducted by Environmental Health and Safety in cooperation with Housekeeping management staff, all Housekeeping employees have some job duties that expose them to the possibility of foot injuries although not on a continuous basis. OSHA has issued a rule clearly placing the responsibility on the employer to make sure that all employees whose jobs require the use of personal protective equipment are wearing it. Since it may be too difficult for employees to anticipate their exposure to a hazard, the University requires that Housekeepers wear safety shoes. This is the necessary measure to adequately protect our employees and it also provides them with free work shoes.
Although we understand that some medical conditions may make it difficult to find a comfortable pair of safety shoes, a medical excuse will not preclude the need for foot protection. The University is still responsible for protecting the employee and cannot waive or transfer that obligation for any reason. If employees are exposed to a hazard then they still must be protected or otherwise removed from the hazard exposure (i.e. reassignment). There are a variety of sizes and styles of safety shoes available. Employees should seek assistance from the safety shoe vendor representatives in selecting proper style and fit.
Toe caps are not intended to replace steel-toed safety shoes and should only be used in temporary situations when there are extenuating circumstances. They are designed primarily for visitors, temporary workers, etc. When permitted I would recommend going with the slip on variety such as those shown at http://www.oshatoes.com/ rather than the strap on caps. This is not a recommended vendor; just an example. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks.
Pedro , HSK
Assistant to the President
phone (02) 9256 2222
PEDRO@GMAIL.COM