Safety Footwear Toolbox Talk: Talking Points, Questions and Checklist

This safety footwear toolbox talk is for any crew on their feet all shift, especially in wet, oily, outdoor or heavy-materials areas. It takes about five minutes. Ask everyone to look at the soles of their own boots during the talk. They should leave knowing what their footwear is for and when it needs replacing.

Why does safety footwear matter?

Work boots do two jobs: they help you keep your grip, and they protect your feet. CCOHS lists slips on slippery surfaces alongside impact, compression and puncture as hazards footwear must be chosen for. It says footwear must be chosen based on the hazards present.

In the US, OSHA 1910.136 requires protective footwear where there's a danger of foot injuries from falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or certain electrical hazards. Rules and standards vary by country, so check the rules where you work.

Grip is not guaranteed. CCOHS points out that there is no footwear with anti-slip properties for every condition, which is why it recommends checking with manufacturers for the floors and contaminants you actually work on.

Talking points for your safety footwear toolbox talk

• Wear what the task requires. Your site specifies footwear for a reason: toe caps, midsole protection, slip resistance or electrical properties. Trainers or personal boots aren't a substitute.
• Match the boot to the floor. A sole that grips on dry concrete may skate on oil, ice or wet tile. If you move between areas, ask whether your footwear suits all of them.
• Check your soles. Turn your boots over. If the tread is worn smooth, cracked or the sole is peeling away, grip is already compromised. CCOHS advises repairing or replacing worn or defective footwear.
• Keep them in good condition. Look for broken leather, exposed toe caps and failing stitching. Wet and worn boots also lose electrical resistance.
• Laces tied, boots fitted. Loose laces are a trip hazard, and boots that are too big make you shuffle. Feet swell during the day, so new boots are best tried on around midday.
• Clean contamination off soles. Oil, grease, mud and food packed into the tread act like a skate. Use boot scrapers and mats between areas.
• Speak up about discomfort. Painful footwear tends to get swapped for something unsafe. Tell your supervisor so a better-fitting option can be found.

Example to share with the crew

For example, a maintenance fitter has worn the same pair of boots for over a year. They still look fine from the top, but the heel tread is almost flat. Walking across the plant after a hose wash-down, they step onto a wet ramp, the heel slides, and they fall backward onto their wrist.

The boots met the site rule on paper, but they no longer did the job. Ask the crew to check their own heels right now.

Safety footwear checklist

• Everyone is wearing the footwear specified for their task and area
• Soles have visible tread, especially at the heel
• No cracked, split or separating soles
• Uppers intact with no exposed toe caps
• Laces tied and footwear fits securely
• Boot scrapers or mats available at transitions between wet and dry areas
• Process in place for replacing worn footwear

Questions to ask the crew

1. When did you last check the soles of your work boots?
2. Which area here is the most slippery, and does your footwear grip there?
3. What would make it easier to get worn boots replaced?

How to close the talk

The one-line summary of today's safety footwear toolbox talk: your boots are safety equipment, so check them like safety equipment. If your footwear is worn, uncomfortable or wrong for the area, tell your supervisor today. Follow up with the dealing with spills talk or browse more toolbox talk ideas.