Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +

01 ' 5

The Right to Information, The Right to Live

Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 10667 (1983): Guide for selection for industrial safety

equipment for protection of foot and leg [CHD 8:
Occupational Safety, Health and Chemical Hazards]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

( Reaffirmed 2002 )

El : 18664- 1983

Indian Standard
GUIDE FOR
SELECTION OF INDUSTRTAL SAFETY
EQUIPMENT FOR PROTECTION OF
FOOT AND LEG
Industrial Safety Advisory Committee,
Chairman

ISAC

Representing
Directorate
Labour
Bombay

DR S. S. RAMASWAMY

General Factory
Advice Service and
Institutes
( Ministry
of Labour ),

Members
SHRI P. R. SURENDRANATHAN( Alternate to
Dr S. S. Ramaswamy )
Ministry of Shipping and Transport
SHRI V. K. ARORA
SHRI T. P. P. NAMBIAR ( Alternate )
Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI PREM BAVEJA
SHRI B. S. GROVER ( Alternate )
Indian Cotton Mills Federation, Bombay
SHRI S. P. BHATIA
Chief Controllerate
of Explosives, Nagpur
SHRI CHARANJIT LAL
SHRI B. R. DAVE ( AIternate )
Indian National
Trade Union Congress,
New
SHRI N. CHAKRAVARTY
Delhi
SHRI KARAN SINGH ( AIternate )
Indian Society of Engineers. Calcutta
SHRI P. K. CHAUDHURI
DR D. K. NAG ( Alternate )
Sandoz ( India 1 Ltd, Thane
SHRI N. CHAWLA
Central Boilers Board, New Delhi
SHRI S. C. DEY
SHRI S. M. PRASAD ( Alternate )
Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi
DIRECTOR ( COMMERCIAL )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (COMMERCIAL) (Alternate)
Directorate
General of Mines Safety, Dbanbad
DIRECTOR GENERAL OP MINES
SAFETY
DIRECTOR, MINES SAFETY
EQUIPMENT ( Alternate )
Century Rayon, Kaiyan
SHRI DURGESH CHANDRA
SHRI JAYANT ADHIA ( Alternate )
Institution of Fire Engineers India, New Delhi
SHRI P. N. GHOSH
National Safety Council, Bombay
SHRI K. C. GUPTA
SHR~ N. RAGHAVAN ( Alternate )
Indian Jute Mills Association, Calcutta
SHRI R. P. JHA
( Continued on page 2 )
@ Copyright
INDIAN

STANDARDS

1984
INSTITUTION

This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act (XIV of 1957) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS : 10667- 1983
( Continued from page

1)
Representing

Members

In_!ian Airlines Corporation, New Delhi

SHRIJ. D. JIJINA
SHRIM. N. ARORA ( AIternate )
Safe$m$L$iances
Manufacturers
Association,
SHRI M. KANT
SHRI KIRIT MARU ( Alternate )
Factory
SHRI V. N. KHOLKUTE

Inspectorate,

Government

of Maharashtra.,

SHRI H. N. MIRASHI ( Alternate )

The
SHRIP. KRISHNAN NAIR

Ltd,

SURI B. S. MATHUR

Steel

Fertilizers and Chemicals Travanco*e

Udyogmandal
Standing Committee
on Safety for
the
Industry, Durgapur

SHR~ A. K. DASGUPTA ( Alternate )

Standing Fire Advisory Council, Ministry of Home
SHRI G. B. MEN< N
Affairs, New Delhi
Railway Board ( Ministry of Railways )
SHRI M. K. .MODWEL
Directorate
General
of Health
Services, New
SHRI R. N. MUKHOPADHYAY
Delhi
Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. PURUSHOTHAMA
SHRI T. V. MADHUMANI ( AIternate )
Ministry of Communications
SHRI G. RAMAMURTHY
SHRI Y. V. R. REDDY ( AZternate )
Directorate
General
of
Ordnance Factories,
SHRI S. G. RANADE
Calcutta

SHRI S. R. C. RAO
Steel Authority of India Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI R. N. DAS ( Alternate )
REPRESENTATIVE
Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
The Safetv First Association of India, Bombay
SHRI Y. K. SAPRU
SHRTA. A. JASDENVALA( Alternate )
The Project & Development ( India ) Ltd, Sindri
SHRI K. K. SARKHEL
Employees
State Insurance Corporation,
New
SHRI I. C. SARIN
-Ddlhi
DR K. M. SAXENA ( Alternate )
Ministry of Petroleum & Chemicals
SHRIP. SESHADRI
SHRIJAGJITSINGH( Alternate )
DR B. SINGH
CengianEting
Research
Station
( CSIR ),
SHRIP R. ROY ( Alternate )

SHRI D. K. S~RKAR

Indian Chemical
Calcutta

SHRI S. J. SHARMA ( Alternate )

SHRI S. VENKA~WAMY

SHRI S. P. VIDYARATHI
SHRI S. K. MATHUR,
Director ( Chem )

Manufacturers

Association,

Directorate General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi

All India Manufacturers Organization, Bomtay
Director General, ISI ( Ex-ofjcio Member )

Secretary
SHRI K. K. TRIPATHI
Senior Deputy Director ( Chem ), ISI
( Continued on page 8 )

IS : 10667- 1983

Indian Standard
GUIDE FOR
SELECTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
EQUIPMENT FOR PROTECTION OF
FOOT AND LEG
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Tnslitution
on 30 September 1983, after the draft finalized by the Industrial Safety
Advisory Committee had been approved by the Executive Committee.
0.2 Foot injuries are caused due to: (a) Striking against stationary object,
(b) Striking by moving object; (c) Stepping on hot objects, (d) Stepping
on sharp objects, (e) Heat radiation and welding sparks, and (fj chemicals.
To protect the foot from hazards (a) to (f) above, leather safety boot
should be used; for hazard (e) asbestos, safety boots should be used.
0.3 Main differences between the safety boot and the ardinary shoe are as
follows:
Safety Boot
Ordinary Shoe
a) Provided with a carbon steel
toe cap
b) Ankle height is 115 mm
c) Sole hardness is above 55
IRHD

Not provided with steel toe cap

No ankle height
Sole hardness is less than 55 IRHD

0.4 For foot protection it is also necessary for the employer to provide
washrooms, showers, and locker facilities so that employees can conveniently bathe their feet and change into clean, dry footwear after the
days work.
0.5 In the formulation of this standard, assistance has been derived from
the following publications:
DCRKSM. BALDEVIN.A foot hold on safety. Job Safety Health, May
1976.
Conservation of Personal Protective Equipment, Safety Practices
Pamphlet No. 106. National Safety Council, Chicago.
Protective Clothing, Safety Practice Pamphlet No, 14, National Safety
COUncil
A.2 Chicago.
.

IS : lo667 - 1983
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides guidance for selection, use and maintenance
safety boots, shoes and leg guards.

of

2. TYPES
2.0 The protective footwear should suit the job, that is, their construction
and materials should provide adequate defence against all hazards the
workers may encounter.

2.1 Safety shoes have the widest application in industry. The metal cap
built into the shoe is meant to shield the toes from impact and compression.
When there is a heavy liftfruck traffic in a plant, or other added risk of
injury to the toe/foot metatarsal guards offer additional protection.
2.2 Safety boots and rubber shoes offer protection against wet, cold or
slippery conditions such as in outdoor work, refineries and food processing
plants. If worn over safety shoes, overboots do not need any reinforcement
in the toe area. If worn over bare feet shots, overboots should have builtin toe caps.
2.3 Conductive shoes and over-shoes, worn round explosive gases or
material, permit the static electricity that builds up in the body of the
wearer to drain off harmlessly into a conductive, grounded floor. Employee
should not be allowed to wear them outdoors because any accumulation
of dirt impairs effectiveness of conductive shoes. Electrical resistance of
the shoes should be tested periodically while they are in service.
2.4 Non-sparking
shoes are used in hazardous locations such as in
explosive operations or in the cleaning of tanks that have held gasoline or
volatile hydrocarbons.
2.5 Shoes for protection from electrical hazards should not have any
exposed metal; the toe box should be insulated from the shoe. Electrical
hazard shoes can be depended on for protection when they are dry and in
good condition; however, protection is diminished when they are wet from
perspiration or rain.
2.6 Foundry safety boots for moulders and welders are used whenever
there is a hazard from hot splashes, such as, in the pouring of molten
metals, or flying sparks. They fit snugly and should be as easy as possible
to remove in case a spark or hot metal gets inside. Instead of being closed
by laces, they should have other suitable fasteners to hold the top of the
shoe close to the ankle.

IS:10667-1983
2.7 Leather Safety Boots and Shoes - In safety shoes the sole and steel toe
are of prime importance. The sole leather used in safety shoes/boots shall
conform to IS : 579 ( Part 1 )-1973*.

2.8 Asbestos Safety Shoes - They should have a flame treated leather lining
as well as the sole. For heat as well as flame protection it is necessary that
asbestos used in the production
of such shoes is of suitable grade.
Asbestos having close weave will reduce penetration of heat from outside
to the inside. The laces of such shoes should be of leather of borax
tleated cotton laces. Plastic laces should never be used in this variety of
shoes.
2.8.1 SoYe - It is advisable that between
wool is inserted for protection against heat.

the

layers

of sole glass

2.9 PVC and Rubber Gumboots - There are two varieties in rubber
gumboots that is general purposes and industrial. Only industrial gumboots
should be employed for use when the hazard is handling stronger or mild
acids, alkalies and corrosive chemicals. PVC half gumboots made from
pure vinyl is also ideal for protection against acids and alkalies. Use of
PVC apron along with PVC half gumboots is recommended for obtaining
required frontal body protection.
3. LEG PROTECTION
3.1 Footguards

that arc added outside the shoe can provide significant

protection where there are hazards from moving objects. Combination foot
and shin guards can be used where there is danger from flving particles
such as jack hammer work. Strap on wooden soled sandals can be used
for protection against under foot hazards of heat, oil, acids, hot water,
caustics and sharp objects.
3.2 Leg protection is also secured by various types of leggings, from waist
length to those that reach only part way to the knees. The length and
material to be used depend upon the Hazards involved.
3.3 For protection against molten metal, leggings should be instantly
removable in an emergency. They should also have large fares to protect
the instep and heel and be free from projecting buckles and clamps.
3.4 Asbestos and leather are used where it is necessary to protect against
molten metal, sparks and heat. Fire resisting duckmand wool may bovused
against light spatters and sparks. Leggings are known as spring type
because no fasteners are used to afford easy removal. These may be
furnished with an inner fibre shield as protection against leg bruises and
affording effective shedding of molten material. Others of metal construction are also used where the sole hazard is injurious to the shin through
bumps and bruises.
*Specification for sole leather: Part

revision ).

Vegetable t&nned sole legthey (secoltcl

IS: 10667- 1983

3.5Where acids,

alkalies and hot water are encountered, natural or

synthetic rubber or any other synthetic material may be used, depending
upon the hazard encountered.

3.6 Spats of leather, fire resisting duck, wool or

whose ankles and shoe top may be exposed to
Welders find this equipment useful particularly
equipped should wear their trouser legs over the
are closely bound to prevent sparks or hot metal
of the spat.

asbestos are used by men

molten metal or sparks.
in close work. Man so
spats unless the latter
from entering at the top

3.7 Knee pads of asbestos, fibre, felt or reinforced leather are used as
protection against heat and sharp edges encountered in steel mills, glass
plant operations, sheet metal plants, mines and similar industries. Knee
pads of rubber construction are also furnished to workers who are required
to remain on their knees for extended periods of time, such as cement
finishers, etc.
3.8 Leg Guard - Leather leg guard of 225 mm size should be used by
welders to protect the leg from welding sparks and to avoid entering of
sparks inside the safety boots. Leg guard of 400 mm size should be used by
workers engaged in loading the curled chips in the machine shop.
4. SELECTION,

FITTING

AND INSPECTION

4.1 Supervisors and employees should be advised to select the proper type
of safety shoe for each job. Recommend the proper type shoe. For
examp!e, workers on wet slip Boors may need non-slip sole shoes which
will not be harmed by water or acid. For more severe exposures of this
type, provide over-shoes, bdots, wooden sole shoes or wooden or rubber
mat sandals.
4.2 Select svnthetic rtibber or chrome leather soles for work on oily
ground or floors because ordinary rubber or leather deteriorates under
such exposure.
4.3 For excessively heated or sharp material on the floor, use sandal safety
shoes or wooden sole shoes.
4.4 Furnish external toe or foot guards when there is need for additiocal
protection because of heavy material handled or because of severe
exposure to abrasion and sharp metal which otherwise would cut the
leather uppers.
4.5 Al] employees buying shots should understand the need for proper
fitting. The workers feet will spread, especially if heavy loads are carried;
hence measurement of length and width should 1.~ taken
of the body op the feet.
6

with the weight

4.6 Shoes that do not fit tempt the wearer to mutilate them in an effort to
secure comfort.
5. CLEANING,

DRESSING,

STERILIZATION

AND REPAIR

5.1 Encourage employees to clean and dress their shoes frequently.

5.2 Sterilize the shoes if required as per instructions

of the manufacturer.

5.3 Do not allow shoes to wear or deteriorate beyond a condition suitable

for repair, whether the repair is undertaken by the employee or employer.
5.4 Replace worn soles before wearing down the inner soles.
5.5 Replace run down heels before the weight of the
counters and other parts out of shape.

wearer forces

5.6 Conductive sole shoes, designed to prevent the accumulation of body

static charges, as well as antispark and shock resistant types require special
attention. Only repairmen thoroughly familiar with their construction and
trained in approved methods of repairs should attempt this work. The
advice of the manufacturer should be sought.
6. USE AND CARE
6.1 It should be ensured that employee gets a comfortable shoe; a good
fitting will not cramp or chafe the feet on the job and it will wear longer.
6.2 Shoes should be kept in good repair. Worn out soles and run down
heels are dangerous.
6.3 Clean the shoes frequently.
6.4 Keep shoes as dry as possible. If they get wet, dry them slowly. Wet
leather will be damaged by heat greater than the hand can bear.
6.5 Wash the feet and change socks daily. Perspiration
and causes the lining to wear out and become rough.

harms the leather

6.6 Wear heavy cotton or woollen socks which absorb perspiration

and wear longer than thin nylon, silk or rayon socks.

better

6.7 Avoid stepping on or kicking against sharp metal; scraper

material which may damage shoes or may cause foot injury.

other

fi3: 1066i- 1963

( Continued from page 2 )

Safety Equipment Subcommittee,

Convener
SHRI B. S. MATHUR

ISAC S : 2

Representing
Steel Authority of India
Durgapur

( Durgapur

Steel Plant ),

Members
SHRI J. J. ADHIA

Century Rayon, Kalyan

SHRI M. V. RAO ( Alternate )
Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
SHRI K. BARDHAN
SHRI J. P. AGARWAL ( Alternate )
Centr$aX&Mines
Rescue
SHRI R. N. BHAI-IACHARJEE
SHRI S. SANYAL ( Afternate )
SHRI K. N. BHATTACHARYA
SHRI N. K. SARAN ( AZternate )
SHRI CHARANJIT LAL
SHRI B. R. DAVE ( Alternate )
SHRI N. CHAWLA
SHRI S. Y. PHONDGE ( Alternate
DR A. K. GHOSH

The

Stations

Safety First Association

Branch ), Jamshedpur

Chief Controllerate

of

of Explosives,

Committee,
India (Bihar

Nagpur

Sandoz ( India ) Ltd, Thane

Central

Mining

Research

Station

( CSIR ),

SHRI P. R. ROY ( Alernate )

Reyrolle]Burn Ltd, Howrah
SHRI B. GUHA NEOGI
SHRI P. BISWAS ( Alternate )
National Safety Council, Bombay
SHRI K. C. GUPTA
Mines Safety Appliances Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI A. N. INDURKAR
SHRI M. MISHRA ( Alternate )
Mines Service Corporation, Asansol
SHRI P. P. JAIN
SHRI A. P. AGARWALA ( Alternate )
JOINT DIRECTOR OF MINES SAFETY -Directorate General of Mines Safety, Dhanbad
Indian Oxygen Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI S. S. MAZUMDAR
SHRI K. C. KARMARKAR ( Alternate )
lndian
Chemical
Manufacturers
Association,
DR 0. P. MII-IAL
Calcutta
National Safety Council, Bombay
SHRI N. C. MUKHERJEE
SHRI N. RAGHAVAN ( Alternate )
Joseph Leslie & Co, Bombay
SHFUC. PEREIRA
SMT. C. LESLIEREY ( Alternate )
National Physical
Laboratory
( CSIR ), New
SHRI S. P. PURI
Delhi
Directorate
General
of
Ordnance Factories,
SHRI S. G. RANADE
Calcutta
Coal India Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI S. S. SALODKAR
Pradeep Safety Pvt Ltd, Bombay
SHRI S. D. SHROFF
SHRI M. D. SHROFF( Alternate )
Synthetics and Chemicals Ltd, Bareiliy
SHRI D. K. SIRKAR
Directorate General Factory Advice Service and
SHRI P. R. SURENDRANATHAN
Labour
Institutes
( Ministry of Labour ),
Bombav
SHRI M. K. MALHOTRA ( Alternate )
Francis Leslie & CO, Bombay
SHRI FRANCIS LESLIE VAZ
SHRI HEATCLIFFVAZ ( Alternate )