OSHA 1910.136 Foot Protection: what it requires and the equipment it names

The plain answer

29 CFR 1910.136 requires each affected employee to use protective footwear where there is a danger of foot injury from falling or rolling objects or objects piercing the sole, or where protective footwear will protect against an electrical hazard such as static discharge or electric shock that remains after other protective measures.

It applies to general industry employers; the construction rule, 1926.96, points to the older ANSI Z41.1-1967 safety-toe standard, and 1926.95(d)(2) lets an employer not pay for non-specialty safety-toe footwear worn off the job.

The footwear it names is anything built to ASTM F2412-2005 and F2413-2005, or ANSI Z41-1999 or Z41-1991, or footwear the employer demonstrates is at least as effective. The F2413 label sewn into the boot states the impact and compression rating and any metatarsal, electrical hazard, static dissipative or puncture-resistant designation.

What the rule says

Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.

29 CFR 1910.136(a): The employer must ensure each affected employee uses protective footwear when working where there is a danger of foot injuries from falling or rolling objects or objects piercing the sole, or when protective footwear will protect against an electrical hazard, such as static discharge or electric shock, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.

29 CFR 1910.136(b)(1): Protective footwear must comply with ASTM F-2412-2005 (test methods) and ASTM F-2413-2005 (performance requirements), ANSI Z41-1999, or ANSI Z41-1991, each incorporated by reference in 1910.6.

29 CFR 1910.136(b)(2): Footwear the employer demonstrates is at least as effective as footwear built to one of those standards is deemed in compliance.

29 CFR 1910.132(h)(2): The employer is not required to pay for non-specialty safety-toe protective footwear, including steel-toe shoes or boots, if the employer permits the footwear to be worn off the job site.

Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.

California (Cal/OSHA)

Each entry is condensed from the paragraph cited; the paragraph itself is the rule and the link opens it.

Title 8 §3385(a)-(b): Appropriate foot protection is required for employees exposed to foot injuries from electrical hazards, hot, corrosive or poisonous substances, falling objects, crushing or penetrating actions, or who work in abnormally wet locations; defective or inappropriate footwear must not be worn.

Title 8 §3385(c): Protective footwear purchased after January 26, 2007 must meet ASTM F2412-05 and F2413-05.

Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 8, as published by Cal/OSHA (dir.ca.gov), read Nov 9 2026.

Equipment the rule names

Source: 29 CFR, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as published by OSHA (ecfr.gov), read Nov 9 2026.

What we carry for it

Each table lists products whose manufacturer data states the rating or the standard the rule names, every brand we carry that does, with the current price. Sizes and versions are chosen on the product page. The selector linked under each table holds every item of that type.

Safety-toe boots and shoes whose manufacturers state a steel, composite or alloy toe

	Part number	Item	Rating stated	Price
	028-090	Blundstone Boots & Shoes, 028 Waterproof Steel Toe Metatarsal Gumboots	Steel Toe	$190.50	Choose on the page
	382-810	Boss 382-810 Safety Boots, 16 in, PVC, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$27.49	Choose on the page
	382-910	Boss 382-910 Safety Boots, 16 in, PVC, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$28.49	Choose on the page
	383-890	Boss 383-890 Safety Boots, 16 in, Polyblend, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$38.99	Choose on the page
	8701200	Dunlop Protective Footwear 8701200 Boots & Shoes, Onguard Hazmax 16 in Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$127.99	Choose on the page
	8798200	Dunlop Protective Footwear 8798200 Boots & Shoes, Dunlop Sureflex Steel Toe PVC	Steel Toe	$49.62	Choose on the page
	MZ2LE02.08	Dunlop Protective Footwear MZ2LE02.08 Boots & Shoes, Acifort MetMAX Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$47.37	Add
	1531	Liberty Safety DuraWear 1531 Overboots, 32.5" Black steel toe hip	steel toe	$102.00	Choose on the page
	CHS000ABLK1	Muck Boots CHS000ABLK1 Boots & Shoes, Chore Classic Work Boots, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$162.86	Choose on the page
	FC19	Portwest CompositeLite FC19 Safety Shoes, Composite Toe	Composite Toe	$75.99	Choose on the page
	FC64BKR47	Portwest CompositeLite FC64 Safety Shoes, Composite Toe, EN ISO 20345 S1	Composite Toe	$51.49	Add
	FD04	Portwest CompositeLite FD04 Safety Boots, Composite Toe	Composite Toe	$108.00	Choose on the page
	18821	Rocky 18821 Boots & Shoes, Servus CT 14 in Steel Toe PVC Boots	Steel Toe	$25.75	Choose on the page
	22273G	Rocky 22273G Boots & Shoes, XTRATUF Legacy 15 in Steel Toe Neoprene Boots	Steel Toe	$195.81	Choose on the page
	CHS000A	Rocky CHS000A Boots & Shoes, Muck Chore Classic Tall Steel Toe Rubber Work Boots	Steel Toe	$157.04	Choose on the page
	B16ST	Seattle Glove B16ST Boots & Shoes, 16 in Black PVC Steel Toe Boots, Unlined	Steel Toe	$23.80	Choose on the page

More: every boot and shoe we carry.

Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.

Steel-toe overboots and metatarsal guards worn over work shoes

	Part number	Item	Rating stated	Price
	2HS6231	Boss 2HS6231 Safety Boots, 34 in, Rubber, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$118.00	Choose on the page
	382-810	Boss 382-810 Safety Boots, 16 in, PVC, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$27.49	Choose on the page
	382-910	Boss 382-910 Safety Boots, 16 in, PVC, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$28.49	Choose on the page
	383-820	Boss 383-820 Safety Boots, Black PVC Full Steel Toe Midsole	Steel Toe	$35.49	Choose on the page
	383-890	Boss 383-890 Safety Boots, 16 in, Polyblend, Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$38.99	Choose on the page
	METGUARD	Impacto METGUARD Footwear Accessories, Metatarsal Protector	Metatarsal	$33.80	Add
	T2GU	Impacto T2GU Overboots, TOES2GO Steel Toe Cap Overshoes	Steel Toe	$49.61	Choose on the page
	1531	Liberty Safety DuraWear 1531 Overboots, 32.5" Black steel toe hip	steel toe	$102.00	Choose on the page
	22205-GRY-100	PIP 22205 Safety Boots, Oliver 22 Series 16 Inch PVC Steel Toe	Steel Toe	$106.00	Add

More: every overboot and footwear accessory.

Source: the manufacturers' product pages, specification sheets and catalogs as reproduced on each product page; the ratings and standards shown are the manufacturers' own statements, and the products listed are those whose published data names the rating or the standard, not a selection by Bayshore Safety.

Guides that go further

Does OSHA require safety-toe shoes · What do S1, S1P, S3, S3S and S7 mean on safety boots · Who pays for PPE · What PPE does OSHA require on a construction site · ASTM F2413 explained.

OSHA 1910.136 Foot Protection questions

Does OSHA require safety toe shoes? Only where 1910.136(a) applies: a danger of falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or a remaining electrical hazard, as found in the employer's hazard assessment under 1910.132(d). Where it applies, the footwear must meet ASTM F2412/F2413 or ANSI Z41 (1910.136(b)).

Does OSHA accept composite toe shoes? The rule names the standard, not the toe material. 1910.136(b)(1) accepts footwear built to ASTM F2413, and F2413 rates the toe cap by the impact and compression test it passes, whether steel, composite or alloy; the manufacturer's label states the rating.

What is the OSHA standard for steel toe boots? 29 CFR 1910.136 in general industry, which incorporates ASTM F2412-05 and F2413-05 and ANSI Z41-1999 and Z41-1991; in construction, 1926.96 names ANSI Z41.1-1967. Cal/OSHA §3385(c) requires ASTM F2412-05 and F2413-05 for footwear bought after January 26, 2007.

Does OSHA require slip-resistant shoes? No paragraph of 1910.136 names slip resistance; the rule covers falling and rolling objects, sole puncture and electrical hazards. Slip resistance is a general walking-working surface matter under 1910.22, and manufacturers state any slip-resistance test on the product page.

Is it an OSHA violation to wear open-toed shoes? Not by itself. The violation would be failing to use protective footwear where 1910.136(a) requires it, or wearing footwear the hazard assessment ruled out. Cal/OSHA §3385(b) adds that footwear whose ordinary use creates the possibility of foot injury must not be worn.

Does my employer have to pay for my steel toe boots? Not necessarily. 1910.132(h)(2) lets the employer decline to pay for non-specialty safety-toe footwear, including steel-toe shoes or boots, as long as the employee may wear them off the job site. Specialty footwear, such as metatarsal or electrical hazard boots required for the job, is paid for by the employer.

The ratings, test results and standards shown here are the manufacturers' published values, reproduced as published. Nothing on this page is a recommendation by Bayshore Safety that any product is suitable for a particular task, hazard or workplace. Selecting safety products and protective equipment is the responsibility of the end user and the employer, based on their own hazard assessment and the regulations that apply to their work. Confirm every value on the manufacturer's own documentation before use.