Heard that any members that work with volts have to have composite safety toes instead of steel toed boots. Is this true?

Seems that it's easier to find good boots and for cheaper by going with steel.

I am 90% certain that the current uniform boot meets those specs as it is composite, not steel.

They look like black clown boots to me...

Im also addicted to zipper boots...

The Boot Camp Issue "super" Boot meets all standards including electrical. I personally like the Converse Composite Toe Work Boots from Galls. But if you want those the money get pulled from your pocket. They are lighter and more comfy.
EM1

DIRECTLY FROM THE UNIFORM REGS:

The safety shoes are high top (plain black, 8” to 10” high) safety boots with a reinforced safety toe. Safety shoes must be worn while performing work that requires protection of the feet. Protective footwear must comply with the National Safety Council’s American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Document Number ANSI Z41-1999 (as updated on 9/11/02.) emphasis added

I know a "safety toe" is required.
A steel toe is a "safety toe".

Regs require the safety toes due to the exposure to chop, cut, crush, rogue office chair, BM's belt full of knives and leathermans, ect hazards on the job.

Found this on the ANSI/OSHA web site, dont know how current it is though.

"OSHA does not generally consider the wearing of steel-toe shoes by electrical tradesmen to be hazardous, so long as the conductive portion of the shoe is not in contact with the employee's foot and is not exposed on the outside of the shoe."

What I'm asking is if any one knows of any regulations baring rates that work with voltage from having steel toe and having to go with composit/plastic toe. They teach you in A school to "demetal" take all rings, watches, belt, etc off but I don't recall being told about the boots.

I took 20K volts when I was a teen. Had a watch on and a pocket full of bullets. There was no issue with the watch or bullets, just getting holes blown out of my feet through my boots.

Just adding a little sick humor here, not trying to suggest steel toes being a bad thing...

After getting my leg and feet run over by a Black Hawk, I asked the surgeon what would have happened if I was wearing steel toed boots? He said I would have 1/2 of my left foot now.

Safety tip: Don't stick your foot under the wheel of a moving 17,000 lbs aircraft.

Don

Heard there was a myth buster show that covered steel toed boots. never saw it though and don't know how it turned out...

That show rocks. Thought the out running a burning trail of gun powder to a keg was pretty cool.

quote:

ANSI Z41-1999 (as updated on 9/11/02.)

Here is a thought: I googled that above and found this.

So, the boot ANYONE wears, at ANY TIME, in their ODUs, must meet the electrical safety standards. This is not just for EMs, but anyone. A few other items indicate that 'steel toe' is not always a indication of failure to meet the standards. The standard listed in the Uniform Manual includes electrical safety.

Seemed to me the link you posted went to a page discussing how to test ESD shoes and shoes that claim voltage protection...

The ANSI standard has been replaced by ASTM standards.

Will dig though the ASTM.

Should have been looking here first...

CIM 10550.25a

4-1 3.4

Thin-soled or footware with exposed metal parts or hob nails shall be worn; instead, non-conductive shoes meeting the requiements of ANSI Z41 shall be worn when working on live electrical circuits of 30 volts or more.

Now to find out if the ASTM states that steel toes arn't allowed, and if the super boot 2 meets thoughs standards. The replacement standard is ASTM F2413-05.

Found this blurb on EH, the class that ASTM gives to the boots that we have to wear, if working on live circuits.

Electrical shock resistant (EH) footwear is manufactured with non-conductive electrical shock resistant soles and heals. The outsole is intended to provide a secondary source of electric shock resistance protection to the wearer against the hazards from an incidental contact with live electrical circuits, electrically energized conductors, parts or apparatus. It must be capable of withstanding the application of 14,000 volts at 60 hertz for one minute with no current flow or leakage current in excess of 3.0 milliamperes, under dry conditions.

Since you can purchase steel toed boots that meet electrical boot safety requirements of the ASTM it seems we can wear them. So aslong as the steel is not exposed by wear on the toe.

The purpose of the safety rating is to isolate the foot from ground by resistance. Only good as the rated volts though.