Occupational Safety and Health Administration Logs

Is there an OSHA regulation for wear of shoes in a hospital?

My boss asked me to research for an OSHA regulation on wear of shoes in a hospital. We are trying to come up with a uniform policy. I've been to the OSHA website but can't find anything.

Public Comments

1. There must be. The type of shoe would depend on where in the hospital one works, but non-slip soles would be important.
2. 1. Protective Footwear — Standard 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.136 29 CFR 1910.136(a) requires the use of protective footwear when employees are working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9777 2. Bloodborne Standard, 1910.1030, section (d)(3)(i) requiring that employers ensure protective foot gear is worn to provide protection from potential needle sticks, splashing from blood or OPIM (Other Potentially Infectious Materials) spills:4 http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10051 There have been concerns sent to OSHA re: Crocs (very popular footwear in hospitals) and whether or not they present a possible violation because of the holes in the shoes. Also, they have been shown to generate static electricity that can cause some hospital equipment to malfunction. As of yet, they have not been banned, but some hospitals may forbid them in their dress codes.
3. I suggest that you call OSHA and ask this question from one of the attorneys on their staff. There are probably specific regulations concerning this matter. It would of course be potentially hazardous for an employee to work in a hospital without wearing shoes for a variety of reasons: e.g. exposure to being physically injured by wheelchairs, gurneys or other wheeled equipment, heightened disease transmission risk, contact with chemical floor cleaning substances, etc.,... Additionally, the problem of people walking in hospital without shoes might raise infectious disease control issues, e.g. with regard to the spread of fungal diseases.