The Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) regarding safety shoes is an important, yet sometimes unclear, topic for many employers and employees. The short answer: yes, the Dutch Working Conditions Act can mandate the wearing of safety shoes. Whether this is actually the case depends entirely on the risks in the workplace. Where there is a risk of foot injury from falling objects, sharp materials, chemicals, or vehicles, safety shoes are not a luxury, but a necessity.
In this blog, we explain step by step what the Working Conditions Act says, when safety shoes are mandatory, and who is responsible for what.
What does the Working Conditions Act say about safety shoes?
Safety footwear legislation is enshrined in the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and further elaborated in the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit). This decree stipulates that employers are obligated to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. If risks cannot be adequately mitigated through technical or organizational measures, personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used.
Foot protection, such as safety shoes, is explicitly included in this PPE. The law doesn't explicitly specify which safety shoes must be worn, but it does stipulate that they must be appropriate for the risks. Consider shoes with a safety toe cap, anti-perforation soles, anti-slip properties, or chemical protection.
You can also find more background information on this on the Arboportaal about PPE legislation and foot protection:
- PPE Legislation (Netherlands):
- Specifically about foot protection
When are safety shoes mandatory at work?
Safety shoes must be worn whenever there is a real risk of foot injury. This is determined through the RI&E (Risk Inventory and Evaluation). In the RI&E, the employer assesses all hazards in the workplace and determines the necessary measures.
Typical work situations in which safety shoes are almost always mandatory:
- Construction and infrastructure (falling materials, nails, heavy loads)
- Logistics and warehouses (forklifts, pallets, roll containers)
- Industry and production (machines, sharp parts)
- Agricultural sector (heavy objects, moisture, animals)
- Technical service and maintenance
If the RI&E shows that normal footwear does not provide sufficient protection, safety shoes are mandatory under the Working Conditions Act.
Who is responsible for safety shoes: employer or employee?
The question of when safety shoes should be worn always begins with the employer. The employer is responsible for:
- Carrying out the RI&E
- Determining which safety shoes are needed
- Providing the correct PPE
- Instruction and supervision for correct use
The employee is then obligated to actually wear the safety shoes and use them according to the instructions. Failure to wear the prescribed safety shoes can be considered a violation of safety regulations.
Should an employer reimburse safety shoes?
Yes, according to the Working Conditions Act, PPE may not incur any costs for the employee. This means the employer must provide or reimburse the cost of safety shoes. This also applies to replacements when the shoes become worn or lose their protective effect.
You sometimes encounter the term "arbo shoes" in policies or contracts, but legally speaking, this falls under mandatory PPE.
Exemptions and exceptions: when do you not have to wear safety shoes?
There are situations where an exemption from wearing safety shoes is possible. For example:
- In office environments without physical risks
- In clearly defined PPE-free zones
- For temporary work without relevant foot risk
Important: These exceptions must always be substantiated in the Risk Assessment and Evaluation (RI&E). Without substantiation, no exemption applies, even if it's "just for a short time."
What are PPE and how do safety shoes fall under this category?
PPE ( personal protective equipment ) is all equipment that protects a worker from health and safety risks. This includes helmets , gloves , hearing protection , and safety shoes.
Safety shoes fall under PPE category II or III, depending on the risk. They must comply with European standards (such as EN ISO 20345 ) and be suitable for the work being performed. The Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) stipulates requirements for:
- Quality and certification
- Correct size and fit
- Maintenance and replacement
- Instructions for the user
Buy safety shoes and PPE in accordance with the Working Conditions Act at Unishore Workwear
At Unishore Workwear, we help employers and safety professionals choose the right safety footwear and PPE every day, in accordance with the Dutch Working Conditions Act. As a full-service supplier, we offer:
- A wide range of work shoes
- Robust work boots for tough conditions:
- Clear explanation of work shoe standards and technologies :
Whether it concerns S1P work shoes for logistics, S3 safety shoes for construction, or specialized PPE for industry: we consider the Working Conditions Act and practical application.
