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How to Conduct a PPE Compliance Audit for Safety Footwear
A PPE compliance audit for safety footwear is a must to ensure that all safety shoes, boots, trainers, and other protective footwear on site comply with the relevant regulations and meet workplace safety standards.
Because safety footwear is such a crucial part of personal protective equipment (PPE), carrying out regular audits helps uncover potential issues before they lead to accidents, protects workers, and ensures your company complies with UK health and safety regulations.
In this step-by-step (pun intended) guide, we'll walk you through (pun also intended) the basics of performing an audit for your workplace's safety footwear.
- Page Contents
- Step 1: Review Safety Footwear Regulations and Standards
- Step 2: Audit Safety Footwear Types and Applications
- Step 3: Inspect Safety Footwear Condition and Usage
- Step 4: Evaluate Supplier Certifications and Quality Assurance
- Step 5: Document Non-Compliance and Set Corrective Actions
- Why Choose XAMAX® for Your Safety Footwear?
- Conclusion
Step 1: Review Safety Footwear Regulations and Standards
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
Employers are required to provide appropriate PPE, including safety footwear, at no cost to employees. The footwear must meet the standards outlined in EN ISO 20345:2011, which requires toe protection capable of withstanding 200 joules of impact.
BSI Compliance
The British Standards Institution (BSI) certifies safety footwear in the UK, ensuring compliance with BS EN ISO 20345:2011 for impact resistance, penetration resistance, and slip resistance.
HSE Guidelines
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlines guidelines for PPE in the workplace. Employers must ensure that footwear provides the necessary protection against specific risks like electrical hazards, chemical exposure, slips and trips, or sharp objects.
Step 2: Audit Safety Footwear Types and Applications
During the audit, verify that the type of safety footwear provided matches the specific risks within your industry, workplace, and specific tasks. For example:
- Construction and Engineering: Workers should have boots with midsole penetration resistance, ankle support, and toe caps that protect against heavy objects and punctures.
- Food and Medical Sectors: Safety wellingtons or clogs with slip resistance, waterproofing, and easy-clean materials are essential.
- Manufacturing and Warehousing: Safety trainers with anti-slip soles, steel or composite toe caps, and electrical hazard protection should be considered.
Make sure each footwear type complies with EN ISO 20345:2011 and carries the necessary ratings such as S1, S2, S3 (which includes midsole protection) or SRC (slip resistance) depending on the work environment and job tasks.
Step 3: Inspect Safety Footwear Condition and Usage
A key part of this compliance audit is ensuring that footwear is in good condition and is being used appropriately. Inspect each pair for:
- Toe Cap Integrity: Ensure no visible dents or signs of failure in the toe cap.
- Sole Condition: Check for excessive wear in the sole, including cracks, tears, or loss of tread. Damaged soles compromise slip resistance and protection from sharp objects.
- Fit and Comfort: Confirm that employees have footwear that fits properly. Ill-fitting boots can cause discomfort and increase the likelihood of accidents due to tripping.
- Regular Replacement: Footwear should be replaced every 6 to 12 months depending on wear and tear, even if it still appears intact.
Step 4: Evaluate Supplier Certifications and Quality Assurance
For proper compliance and traceability, footwear should be supplied by a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier. Work with certified suppliers, such as XAMAX®, to make sure that every safety footwear meets EN standards and reliably has features like penetration resistance, anti-static qualities, and heat protection.
Choosing a trustworthy supplier ensures that those items have been carefully tested and approved for safety in the workplace.
Step 5: Document Non-Compliance and Set Corrective Actions
If any non-compliance issues are uncovered during the audit (such as missing ratings, damaged footwear, or inappropriate types), document these findings and create a corrective action plan. This might include:
- Replacing old or damaged footwear immediately.
- Providing additional training to staff on how to inspect and care for their footwear.
- Ensuring regular monitoring of the condition of safety footwear to catch issues early.
Compliance audits should be conducted at regular intervals (e.g., annually) or whenever significant changes to workplace conditions occur.
Why Choose XAMAX® for Your Safety Footwear?
XAMAX® is a trusted BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, which means all our safety footwear meets the highest industry standards and complies with EN ISO 20345:2011. Whether you need safety boots, trainers, or wellingtons, XAMAX® provides footwear that’s both durable and comfortable, tailored to your industry’s specific needs.
Choosing XAMAX® gives you peace of mind knowing that your workers are fully protected, while you remain compliant with UK safety regulations. Contact us for expert advice on how to keep your workforce safe.
Conclusion
Conducting a PPE Compliance Audit for Safety Footwear is a critical phase in ensuring your workforce's safety and protection while adhering to UK regulations.
Regular audits not only help to identify risks and potential noncompliance, but they also help establish a safety culture in the workplace.
Businesses could dramatically reduce their risk of workplace injuries by reviewing applicable legislation, checking the quality of safety footwear, and ensuring that proper footwear is worn for any given tasks.
Partnering with trustworthy suppliers like XAMAX®, who are fully compliant with BSI standards, ensures that your workers will be supplied with high-quality, certified safety footwear.
By remaining proactive and paying attention to PPE compliance, your organisation can avoid penalties, reduce workplace accidents, and promote a healthy, productive workplace.