Are steel toe boots authorized or not? On page 3-36 of the NEW Uniform Manual M1020.6F it states:

quote:

Steel-toed boots are no longer authorized.

But local CGES only sells steel-toed boots and they say UDC is saying the new composite toe boots are not required until 2012 when the untucked ODU's are required.

Shouldn't there be an ALCOAST if new manual requirements are not in effect?

quote:

Originally posted by overweightDC:
Are steel toe boots authorized or not? On page 3-36 of the NEW Uniform Manual M1020.6F it states:

quote:

Steel-toed boots are no longer authorized.

But local CGES only sells steel-toed boots and they say UDC is saying the new composite toe boots are not required until 2012 when the untucked ODU's are required.

Shouldn't there be an ALCOAST if new manual requirements are not in effect?

I get all my uniform policy guidance from the exchange. If you can't trust them, then who?

The current manual states steel toes are not authorized. Until further guidance is provide from CG-12, what the manual states is policy.

I believe what UDC is talking about is the super boot III, which will be the standard boot for the untucked ODU. The current super boot II is composite toe.

Have you called the unifrom office HQ and asked?

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I get all my uniform policy guidance from the exchange. If you can't trust them, then who?

are they the ones that sell the rank insignia belt buckles (are those authorized?), novelty pins folks wear on the back of their covers, etc? i only trusted the manual or a message. but that's just me.

I don't know why no one else has thought of this yet, there is a real simple solution on which boot to wear.

I feel like if you are confused on which boot is within regs and have a hard time deciding which boot to shine up and wear, I say wear a composite boot on your left and a steel toe on your right, and feel free to switch it up every once and awhile.

If the Uniform Manual states that steel toes are not authorized, my question becomes what about the other manuals we have requiring the use of steel toe boots?

The Ordnance Manual for example.

And I seem to remember one of the engineers manuals requiring steel toes in the engine room too.

quote:

Originally posted by CG_GunnersM8:
If the Uniform Manual states that steel toes are not authorized, my question becomes what about the other manuals we have requiring the use of steel toe boots?

The Ordnance Manual for example.

And I seem to remember one of the engineers manuals requiring steel toes in the engine room too.

First, the uniform and PPE are not the same thing. For example, the uniform manual does not authorize you to wear a flash hood, or splash proof goggles.

If specific PPE is required to do a job, then that is what you wear while doing that job.

Now having said that, I believe the sponsors of any other instructions that state "steel toe" boots must be worn, need to review that requirement to ensure that is what they mean, and not ASTM approved safety shoes.

In addition, Commands have the option to require PPE that is more protective than the published instruction (if they feel the need). For example, a manual may require a type III PFD for an evolution and the command may require a Type I. When it comes to PPE, the Safety and Environmental Health Manual takes precedence over any and all other manuals, and gives the CO the responsibility to select appropriate PPE.

In the case of the composite toe boots, they meet a higher standard than steel toe boots, so as long as the command sets that requirement for PPE, then the composite toes are good to go. If the command determines that steel toe boots are required PPE, then steel toe boots are good to go. It the latter case, the command should purchase them because they are not standard issue.

What the command cannot do is authorize steel toe boots to be a regular part of the uniform. Which means, if you are not working where PPE is required, you need to wear composite toe boots with your ODUs.

Be Safe.

bfayer,

Good points on the boots!

Has anyone asked HQ why the change?

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If the command determines that steel toe boots are required PPE, then steel toe boots are good to go. It the latter case, the command should purchase them because they are not standard issue.

...and then have thier heads examined, becuase as you point out, the composite toes exceeds all safety standards of the steel toes, and have no 'shock' concerns.

So...
Just so I'm clear... The manual obviously says "no steel toe" but... do regular uniform boots still need to meet ASTM regs? -or- are boots without a hard toe authorized for daily use where PPE is not necessary?

Brechty

quote:

Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:

quote:

If the command determines that steel toe boots are required PPE, then steel toe boots are good to go. It the latter case, the command should purchase them because they are not standard issue.

...and then have thier heads examined, becuase as you point out, the composite toes exceeds all safety standards of the steel toes, and have no 'shock' concerns.

In general, you are correct, but not always. The Superboot II is rated I/75 C/75. If a higher rating is required, you need to go to a different boot. Not all safety boots are created equal. The Superboot II is also not puncture or electrical hazard rated. The ASTM safety footwear standard is a lot more complicated than the uniform manual makes it sound, and composite and steel toed boots can only be compared when they have the same ASTM rating.

It is the COs job to determine the PPE required. If the Superboot II meets the requirement, great, if it does not, then a different boot is required. That different boot may or may not be steel toed and still legal to wear as PPE.

My point is uniform regs do not override PPE requirements.

quote:

Originally posted by Brechty:
So...
Just so I'm clear... The manual obviously says "no steel toe" but... do regular uniform boots still need to meet ASTM regs? -or- are boots without a hard toe authorized for daily use where PPE is not necessary?

Brechty

No, with ODUs you must wear composite toe ASTM rated boots any time specific PPE is not required. Unless of course you are authorized to wear the boat shoes.

and i bet most commands won't delegate someone to walk around to make sure everyone's boots meet the new regs or are safety toe period. i've seen enough personnel walking around in soft toe boots and say the command authorized it. the only thing i could do is voice my opinion up the chain and move on.

what units have to wear the boots with a reinforced composite (not steel) toe. Obviously the aton units have wear them but do small boat station have to as well or does every person in the coast guard required to wear those boots. maybe operational only?

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what units have to wear the boots with a reinforced composite (not steel) toe.

..only units that authorize the ODU. Pretty dang simple.

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maybe operational only?

There's been a couple times I have seen reference to "operational" units. Seems to me everyone should live by the same rules all the time so you don't need to run down to the store to buy new boots when you get orders to an "operational" unit.

Semper Paratus means "Always Ready", not "I'll be ready as soon as I buy some boots."

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Semper Paratus means "Always Ready", not "I'll be ready as soon as I buy some boots."

That's funny!

Why doesn't the CG just pick one boot and make it the only authorized footwear with ODUs? KISS.

We are pretty close now - there is only one standard for a uniform boot. But, I agree it should go further and say "though shalt wear _____ boot and it shalt be bought through UDC." Again - very special PPE circumstances may require different PPE, for the foot or any other part of the anatomy. But, I doubt "I fly in airplanes, so I need a special boot is worthy of that."

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But, I doubt "I fly in airplanes, so I need a special boot is worthy of that."

Cowboy boots?

quote:

what units have to wear the boots with a reinforced composite (not steel) toe. Obviously the aton units have wear them but do small boat station have to as well or does every person in the coast guard required to wear those boots. maybe operational only?

Main Entry:
uni·form
Pronunciation:
\ˈyü-nə-ˌfȯrm\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Middle English uniforme, from Middle French, from Latin uniformis, from uni- + -formis -form
Date:
15th century

1 : having always the same form, manner, or degree : not varying or variable <uniform procedures>
2 : consistent in conduct or opinion <uniform interpretation of laws>
3 : of the same form with others : conforming to one rule or mode : consonant
4 : presenting an unvaried appearance of surface, pattern, or color <uniform red brick houses>
5 : relating to or being convergence of a series whose terms are functions in such manner that the absolute value of the difference between the sum of the first n terms of the series and the sum of all terms can be made arbitrarily small for all values of the domain of the functions by choosing the nth term sufficiently far along in the series

Why are people always looking for ways out of doing what is required?