Updated on: 17.08.2016

Depending on the kind of industry, employers of labor are expected to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for their workers. Factory and construction industry employees, for example, are required to wear approved Safety Shoes or Boots. Non-employees and anyone else (e.g. visitors) coming into the factory are also required to wear protective footwear as the company could be liable for injuries sustained in their premises or work location.

Getting appropriate footwear for such a varied group of people can become a problem as you now have people with different feet sizes coming in with formal shoes, lacking any kind of safety protection.

Steel toe boot covers or safety toe covers solve this problem by providing protection to the feet and toes without the wearer having to take their own shoes off. In this article, we look at regulations covering such safety slip-ons, some facts about them and also review some leading brands.

Safety Regulations For Slip On Steel Toe Boot Covers

In the USA, all types of PPE regulations are dictated and monitored by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), along with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Details of these Standards are specifically directed at safety boots and shoe covers and focus on “impact and compression” of workers’ feet in any industrial and construction environments. Therefore, when selecting shoe covers, ensure the product carries the label of ASTM and/or OSHA-approved markings.

More details of OSHA regulations can be found in standards 1910.132 and 1910.136, while those for the ASTM are found in standards F2412-11 , F2413-11.

A Few Facts about Steel Toe Covers

• They are not a complete substitute for safety shoes or safety boots. They are originally designed to give protection for factory visitors for a short period of time, but are now widely accepted for factory employees in the more managerial/clerical roles.
• Wearers of safety toe shoe covers are not expected to operate machineries or devices inside factory premises. It is also not advisable to carry out work on electrical installations while wearing them.
• They are usually unisex, for both male and female.
• The work environment and inherent hazards will determine the type of shoe cover used. Steel toe shoe covers are best for sectors such as the construction industry and other heavily motorized civil works, where the threat of stubbing the toes or direct compression and crushing of the toes is high.
• Steel toe shoe covers can be passed from one person to the other without concerns about hygiene or size restraints. They also fit well street shoes, sneakers and most boots but not high heeled shoes.

Reviews Of The Best Steel Toe Shoe Covers

OSHATOES Steel Toe Overshoes Large (Red)

This steel toe shoe cover from OSHATOES is lightweight and durable, made in the USA. The body is 100% PVC with a solid steel toe area. It fits easily over existing shoes and is worn in a slip-on/slip-off style. It’s a good alternative to providing steel toe safety shoes for visitors or temporary workers. This shoe cover is OSHA approved.

Pros: Highly recommended and comfortable.

Cons: Runs a bit short, this particular model fits better on bulky shoes.

Impacto TTUXS Turbotoe Steel Toe Cap (Black)

This safety toe cover is recommended for environments that carry the risk of toe injury or demands steel toe cap requirement. Good for visitors to the facility, casual/temporary workers, managerial and clerical staff and so on. It sits comfortably over low-heeled, formal, walking and running shoes and a wide variety of boots. It’s made from flexible PVC and has slip-resistant treaded sole. CE (Europe) and CSA (ANSI) certified.

Pros: Very good fit on most shoes.

Cons: It has a tendency to wear out your shoes at the toe area after some months of use.

Impacto TTUXXL Turbotoe Steel Toe Cap (Black)

Another steel toe shoe cover from Impacto for larger feet. Made from PVC, steel toe cap and slip-resistant treaded sole. CE (Europe) and CSA (ANSI) certified.

Pros: Comfortable fit.
Cons: Sizing is inconsistent.

MEGAComfort MCSTOBXL Steel Toe Overshoes (Black)

Fully waterproof, crack resistant rubber steel toe slip-on covers from the MEGAComfort brand. Powered by Steel-Flex Innovation and suitable for casual/temporary worker, managerial and clerical staff and visitors. Both feet can be interchanged for left or right foot, hygienic, available for multiple and repeat uses.

Pros: Good fit.

Cons: Steel toe part is quite heavy, not very durable expect to use it for about 4 months or less.

Conclusion

Hazards exist in every human workplace in many different forms. Some of these hazards are easy to detect and forestall but others aren’t. The most proactive way to protect employees is to minimize these hazards at source. Using steel toe covers is one way doing this.

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