Hazards and Controls — Appropriate Footwear and Safety Shoes

The Laboratory encourages the wearing of safety shoes by making them available to all employees at cost, delivered from a manufacturer's shoemobile. The Red Wing shoemobile is normally onsite on the third Thursday of each month, at their new location near Strawberry Gate, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The shoemobile stocks a selection of men’s and women’s footwear in styles ranging from athletic to hiking to traditional work shoe.

For certain types of work, wearing safety shoes is required by Laboratory policy, and the department requesting them will contribute an amount toward their cost, up to the current allowance of $120. Examples are work that exposes employees to foot injuries from hot, corrosive, or poisonous substances; work in shops, in equipment handling, or in construction jobs where there is a danger of falling objects; or work in abnormally wet locations.

When safety shoes are required by Laboratory policy, the department requesting them will contribute an amount toward their cost, as determined each year by the Director's Office. However, if the employee selects safety shoes for which the total cost (including sales tax) exceeds this amount, the difference must be paid by the employee.

The Red Wing Shoemobile will be onsite, at their new location near Strawberry Gate, on Thursday, September 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Go here for additional information on the Safety Shoe Program.