There are no specific rules requiring steel toes safety shoes. OSHA does not have rules that relate to diabetes.
Regarding footwear, OSHA just states that the employer must select proper protective equipment that's suited to the hazards encountered at the work site. This is called a Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment, and is required to be done in writing when in General Industry (not construction, maritime, logging, etc).
Mythbusters showed that it takes so much force to crush/pinch toes from a steel toe insert that it would destroy toes anyway if they weren't in a steel toe boot. Their conclusion was that steel toe boots were a good protection from crushing, and should be used.
If someone has diabetes and can't wear the PPE that the employer requires, then the employee should work in a different work station...this might involve your state's worker's rights division..bureau of labor and industries or something...not OSHA.
Re: steel toe boots..?
Member #: 5567
Registered: 1996-2001
Posted:
3797
Name:
John
Company:
County Gov
Occupation:
Fiber Design, Construction, Maintenance
Location:
Washington DC
Personal:
There is 1 reply to this message
