Safety Information
What should I know about safety footwear?
If you are at risk for foot injury at your workplace, you should wear the appropriate protective footwear.
- If foot protection is required, set up a complete foot safety protection program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection.
- Safety footwear is designed to protect feet against a wide variety of injuries. Impact, compression, and puncture are the most common types of foot injury.
- Choose footwear according to the hazard. Refer to CSA Standard Z195-09 "Protective Footwear".
- Select CSA-certified footwear. Ensure that it has the proper rating for the hazard and the proper sole for the working conditions.
- Use metatarsal protection (top of the foot between the toes and ankle) where there is a potential for injury.
What symbols will be on the footwear?
The following symbols, or markings, will help you determine which footwear is appropriate for the job.
Selection of Safety Footwear |
||
Marking |
Criteria |
Use |
|
Green triangle footwear has sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe (withstand impact up to 125 joules). |
Any industrial or heavy work environment, including construction, where sharp objects are present (such as nails). |
|
Yellow triangle footwear has sole puncture protection and Grade 2 protective toe (withstand impact up to 90 joules) |
Light industrial work environments that need both puncture and toe protection. |
|
White rectangle with orange Greek letter "omega" footwear has soles that provide electric shock resistance. |
Any industrial environment where accidental contact with live electrical conductors can occur. |
|
Yellow Rectangle with green letters "SD" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are static dissipative. |
Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment. |
|
Red rectangle with black letter "C" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are electrically conductive. |
For any industrial environment where low-power electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment. |
|
White label with green fir tree symbol footwear provides protection when using chainsaws. |
For forestry workers and others who work with or around hand-held chainsaws and other cutting tools. |
|
Blue rectangle footwear provides Grade 1 protective toe with no protective sole |
For industrial work that does not require puncture protection. |
|
Grey rectangle footwear provides Grade 2 protective toe with no protective sole |
For institutional and non-industrial work that does not require puncture protection. |
Note 1: The ® symbol indicates the preferred position for the identifying logo or mark or the certifying agency.
Note 2: Labels are on the tongue of the right shoe at ankle height. They may also appear at ankle height on the shoe itself (for electrical protection footwear)
Will there be other markings?
Yes. An "internal protection code" is also required. This code will be permanently marked on the outside or inside of at least one shoe/boot.
Protection Code
| Position: | 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Mark: |
1 |
P |
M |
E |
X |
Position:
1 -- level of toe protection (1 for Grade 1, 2 for Grade 2, 0 if not)
2 -- presence of puncture-resistant sole (P if present, 0 if not)
3 -- presence of metatarsal protection (M if present, 0 if not)
4 -- type of electrical protection (E if shock resistant, S if static dissipative, C if conductive, 0 if no protection)
5 -- chainsaw protection (X if present, 0 if not)