Who is responsible for providing safety shoes? We have recently summarized the regulations governing the use and selection of safety footwear and explained the importance of using quality materials, just as we do at Uniwork.
Today, however, we are discussing the provision of work shoes, clarifying who is responsible for supplying them in the workplace: the employer or the employee?
Safety shoes in the workplace: who must provide them? Let’s clarify
Let’s clarify right away that the purchase and provision of employees’ safety shoes, as with any other personal protective equipment, are the responsibility of the employer. When choosing footwear, the employer must consider each employee’s tasks and the common risk factors present in the workplace to ensure maximum protection. For example, those working in environments with electrical risks need antistatic shoes, while construction site workers certainly require footwear with anti-puncture soles.
Safety shoes: other employer obligations
The employer’s responsibilities do not end with the provision of safety shoes. They are also responsible for any necessary maintenance and timely replacement of the shoes if required. Additionally, they must ensure that work shoes are used only in environments suited to their specifications to avoid compromising their functionality and that they are worn solely by the designated employee. Finally, it is the employer’s duty to inform employees about the protection level of the provided safety shoes and the risks associated with improper or lack of use.
Employee obligations regarding the provision of safety shoes
On their part, the employee must ensure proper use of the safety footwear, keeping them clean and well-maintained, using them as instructed during training, and refraining from making any modifications. If the employee has particular issues, such as a foot condition preventing them from wearing a specific type of work shoe (with a medical certificate) or requiring an insole, they should promptly inform their employer to find the most suitable solution. Important: safety shoes provided by the company should not be used outside the workplace or lent to others.
