Why Choosing the Best Laboratory Footwear is Critical for Safety

In the laboratory environment, safety is paramount. Proper footwear is a vital component of personal protective equipment (PPE) that often goes overlooked. Whether you're handling chemicals, biological materials, or heavy equipment, the shoes you wear can protect you from spills, impacts, and other potential hazards. This guide outlines the essential rules for choosing the appropriate lab footwear and why it matters.

The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) states, "Shoes should be comfortable, rubber-soled, and cover the entire foot. Disposable, fluid-resistant shoe covers can be worn for jobs where splashing is expected. Because canvas shoes will absorb chemicals or infectious fluids, they are not recommended. Leather or a synthetic, fluid-impermeable material is suggested."

What is the Best Footwear for the Laboratory?

The best footwear for the laboratory is designed to protect against common hazards while providing comfort for extended use. Key features include:

• Closed-Toe Design: Essential for preventing direct exposure to hazards like chemical spills, falling objects, and sharp materials. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory in most lab settings to reduce the risk of injury and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Solid, Impermeable Materials: Shoes made from materials like leather or synthetic polymers are crucial for protecting against chemical penetration and biological contamination. Impermeable shoes act as a barrier, ensuring hazardous substances do not come into contact with your skin.
• Slip-Resistant Soles: Laboratories often have floors that can become slippery due to spills or cleaning processes. Slip-resistant soles provide better grip and stability, minimizing the risk of falls and accidents, especially in wet conditions.
• Reinforced Toes: Steel-toe or reinforced shoes offer additional protection in labs handling heavy equipment or materials. They safeguard against crushing injuries from falling objects and punctures from sharp tools or debris.
• Chemical-Resistant Materials: Labs working with corrosive chemicals benefit from footwear made of PVC or nitrile. These materials prevent the shoes from degrading and protect your feet from hazardous chemical exposure.
• Comfort and Support: Properly cushioned and supportive footwear helps reduce fatigue during long hours of standing or walking. Features like padded insoles and arch support also promote better posture, contributing to overall safety and comfort in the lab.

Examples of Ideal Lab Footwear:

1. Rubber-soled leather shoes with padded insoles.
2. Steel-toe boots for industrial or heavy-duty labs.
3. PVC boots for working with corrosive chemicals.

What Footwear is Not Permitted in the Laboratory?

Certain types of footwear are strictly prohibited in laboratories due to their inability to provide adequate protection:

• Sandals, Flip-Flops, and Open-Toe Shoes: These offer no protection against spills, sharp objects, or falling equipment.
• Perforated or Mesh Shoes: Liquids and contaminants can seep through, increasing the risk of exposure.
• High Heels: They compromise balance and stability, increasing the risk of falls and injuries.
• Worn-Out or Damaged Shoes: Compromised soles or structural integrity reduce effectiveness and increase hazards.
• Fashionable or Casual Footwear: Styles like ballet flats or sneakers with decorative holes may lack essential safety features.

Example of a Safety Hazard: A researcher wearing open-toed sandals accidentally spills a corrosive chemical, leading to severe burns. Proper footwear, like chemical-resistant boots, would have prevented the injury.

Laboratory footwear must always be closed-toe to protect your feet from:

1. Chemical spills: Prevent exposure to harmful liquids.
2. Falling objects: Safeguard against dropped glassware or tools.
3. Sharp materials: Protect from broken glass or sharp instruments on the floor.

Example: A researcher handling acids risks serious injury if an accidental spill occurs while wearing open-toed shoes.

Ensure that Laboratory Footwear is Easy to Clean and Maintain

Laboratory footwear should be easy to clean and disinfect. Avoid shoes with intricate designs or textures that could harbor contaminants.

Best practices:

• Wipe down shoes regularly with disinfectant.
• Use covers or dedicated lab shoes to avoid cross-contamination.

**Follow Lab-Specific Requirements **

Every laboratory may have unique footwear policies based on the nature of the work being conducted. Adhering to these policies is critical for safety and compliance.

Examples of specific policies:

1. Sterile labs may require shoe covers.
2. Biosafety labs might mandate footwear decontamination protocols.
3. Industrial labs may enforce steel-toe footwear standards.

Common Laboratory Footwear Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wearing sandals or flip-flops: Completely unsuitable and non-compliant with safety standards.

2. Using worn-out shoes: Compromised soles or structural integrity can increase risk.

3. Choosing style over safety: Fashionable footwear often lacks essential safety features.

Advice for Promoting Laboratory Footwear Safety

Dan Scungio offers this advice for laboratories struggling to enforce appropriate footwear:

1. Check the dress code policy. Some laboratories have their own policies and others follow their corporate dress codes. If footwear is not addressed appropriately for the lab, it’s time to either change the lab policy (if one exists) or it may be time to create one.
2. Another place to look is in your Chemical Hygiene Plan. OSHA is not as specific about laboratory footwear, but they do require that employers ensure the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including proper foot protection. The PPE section of your Chemical Hygiene Plan is a good place to set policy about laboratory footwear if it is not discussed well in the dress code.
3. The next important step in your approach will need to be education. You can’t over-communicate to staff about the appropriate types of lab footwear. Use posters with pictures, send out reminder e-mails, and discuss it in staff meetings.

Final Thoughts

Appropriate footwear in the laboratory is more than just a dress code—it's a critical safety measure. By following these rules, you can ensure protection against common lab hazards while maintaining comfort and compliance. Investing in the right lab footwear contributes to a safer, more efficient workplace.

Read the article Can Shoes Cause a Headache? to find 3 interesting challenges regarding the enforcement of appropriate footwear in the lab.