Footwear Regulations?

[EDibble]

I am the safety officer for our laboratory. Recently, a new employee mentioned that she had seen a regulation regarding lab footwear that excluded clogs as a acceptable shoe in the clinical lab. Of course, we have not allowed open toes or fabric shoes for a long time, but lots of folks wear leather or rubber clogs.

I cannot find anything in OSHA or CAP that addresses this. Does anyone have a reference?

Thanks,

[John Eggington]

Try this link, as a start (clogs are named);

http://www.labmanager.com/?articles.view/articleNo/1133/article/Appropriate-Footwear-in-the-Lab

It looks like a Canadian site, but might be a useful starting point (if only to show the regulation is a Canadian one)

[Bill]

Many years ago, a safety officer had this question for those who wanted to wear clogs, "Can you walk (or run) as fast wearing clogs as you can wearing athletic shoes? The idea is that with no back, one can not move as fast with clogs during an emergancy.

[David Saikin]

They are worn all the time in the surgical suite . . . I do not see any problem with them. What does your facility dress code say?

[tricore]

If you are speaking about "Crocs" (which by the way are very comfortable and yes, you can run in them), most models have holes in the top. I do not think this OSHA acceptable.

[SLBCNW01]

Here are two links to letters from OSHA regarding footwear. I cannot find anything that requires closed shoes in a lab. If there is a reasonable likelihood of exposure, then the employer must provide shoe covers. It states that shoes that are also worn outside the lab are not considered PPE. Each employer must determine what is appropriate footwear based on hazards.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25497

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25439

[AMcCord]

If you are speaking about "Crocs" (which by the way are very comfortable and yes, you can run in them), most models have holes in the top. I do not think this OSHA acceptable.

Our policy says no holes in the tops of your shoes and if you are wearing athletic shoes, they must be impervious to fluids (leather, not nylon). I believe that OSHA regs are cited as the reason for the policy.

[tricore]

Our policy says no holes in the tops of your shoes and if you are wearing athletic shoes, they must be impervious to fluids (leather, not nylon). I believe that OSHA regs are cited as the reason for the policy.

Previous employer had what Ann has posted. Curerent employer dress code says "Required to wear closed toe shoes".

[adiescast]

We require the top of the shoe to be closed and a leather or other (more) impervious surface (rather than cloth). We do allow clogs as long as they have a strap in the back.

[Liz]

We follow OSHA reg, clogs are allowed as long as the they are completely closed in the front. The fear is from spills and other things that can fall. The Staff is asked not to run in case of emergencies but to walk calmly.

[clmergen]

It was in the chemical hygiene plan of the last 2 places that I worked. Had nothing to do with biologics. Unfortunately I don't have a source.

[AMcCord]

It was in the chemical hygiene plan of the last 2 places that I worked. Had nothing to do with biologics. Unfortunately I don't have a source.

From what I remember reading, the major concern is chemical - acids, caustics, and absorption of chemicals through the skin from spills on your feet. But I don't have the specific source other that 'OSHA'.

[Mabel Adams]

I had a boss that once tried to outlaw clogs because he said people couldn't run in them. Once it was pointed out that the women's dress shoes worn by the administrative staff in the lab would be much worse for running in (plus the gal with rheumatoid arthritis that really needed to wear her berkenstocks) he relented.

[Malcolm Needs ☆]

I had a boss that once tried to outlaw clogs because he said people couldn't run in them. Once it was pointed out that the women's dress shoes worn by the administrative staff in the lab would be much worse for running in (plus the gal with rheumatoid arthritis that really needed to wear her berkenstocks) he relented.

I was always brought up to think that one should not run in a hospital anyway, except for a cardiac arrest.

[L106]

I had a boss that once tried to outlaw clogs because he said people couldn't run in them. Once it was pointed out that the women's dress shoes worn by the administrative staff in the lab would be much worse for running in.

I had to chuckle. ("Power to the people!!")

It also brought to mind that our institution has a policy prohibiting fingernail polish for employees in patient care area. (Never mind that the top two gals in one such area have beautiful long, red nails.)

[Likewine99]

Check out "The Safety Lady" at safetylady.com. She's an expert in lab safety stuff and might have a reference on her website.

[carolyn swickard]

I have always been more worried about broken glass staying out of my shoes than chemicals - both are bad, I admit, but I see a lot more broken tubes in Blood Bank than any chemical spills.

[Liz]

I have always been more worried about broken glass staying out of my shoes than chemicals - both are bad, I admit, but I see a lot more broken tubes in Blood Bank than any chemical spills.

Aren't tubes unbreakable these day?

[Malcolm Needs ☆]

Aren't tubes unbreakable these day?

You haven't met my son then Liz????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:disbelief:disbelief:disbelief:disbelief:disbelief

[AMcCord]

We still use glass tubes, though fewer of them since we automated.

[mollyredone]

Liz, I think she meant test tubes for testing, not patient sample tubes. Anytime you drop one of those tubes, they go everywhere! We still use them for ABO and some tube testing.