Safety shoes worn on campus must meet the ASTM F2413 Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective Footwear

Slip Resistant/Non-Slip Safety/Work Shoes only must be noted with the shoe.  See qualified vendors below.  Contact your Supervisor or EHS if you need help in determining acceptable shoes for your work area prior to purchasing.

Employees in positions where hazards are known to pose a threat are required to wear certified safety footwear at all times while on duty; exceptions only by medical release and manager approval. 

 Long term USTEs, AS Project/Waivers, TEs (or short-term AS employee), and student employees who have worked less than 6 months periods can be also allowed to participate in the safety shoe program with their department supervisors' approval.

Personal Protective Equipment Policy (PPE)

1. Please inform your employees (or confirm with your supervisor) for eligibility and allowance amount. It is the responsibility of department supervisors to communicate eligibility (either slip resistant or steel toe) and allowance amount to employees, especially new employees in advance.

2. Employees should also be aware of whether they have purchased shoes or not since the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1st of each year). The shoe allowance amount is a one-time use only per fiscal year.

3. The shoe allowance covers one pair of shoes or boots only for the purchase amount. No insole or clothing purchases are allowed. 

4. The employee is obligated to only pay the sales tax. The purchase amount will be reimbursed.

5. If the purchase amount exceeds the allowance, the employee pays the balance at the time of purchase.

6. No reimbursements of money are given if the total is not used and no annual balance rollovers are set for any subsequent purchases.

7. New employees who have not gotten beyond probationary period are eligible based on department policy. It is department supervisors' decision either to approve a new employee to participate in the safety shoe program during probationary period or require new employee to purchase own safety shoes, and then allowed a reimbursement after the probationary period has ended.

8. Long term USTEs, AS Project/Waivers, and student employees whose positions are required to wear safety shoes, are allowed a reimbursement if they have worked more than 6 months. Long term USTEs or AS Project/Waivers, and student employees who have worked less than 6 months periods can be also allowed to participate in the safety shoe program with their department supervisors' approval.

9. Returns and exchanges are employees' responsibility.

10. Program subject to review and adjustments annually.

Employees are allowed to purchase their shoes from any qualified safety shoe vendor seen below.  

Pre-Purchase approval by supervisor required if purchasing from any other vendor.

Ensure the shoes chosen are safety footwear, regular athletic shoes/dress shoes are not acceptable safety footwear and will be declined for reimbursement. 

Employees will pay the tax on purchases since UWSP is not contracted with any specific vendor for purchase.

Contact your Supervisor or EHS if you have questions on whether the shoes are acceptable for your work environment.

Current Purchase Allowance

$130.00 – Steel or Composite Toed Safety Shoes or Boots

$90.00 – Slip Resistant Work Shoes or Boots

Use the Shoe Reimbursement eForm when the shoes are purchased from an outside vendor, other than the ones that visit campus on an annual basis for fittings and sales of slip-resistant and steel- and composite-toe shoes and boots.

Attach an original receipt (not Proof of Purchase or Credit Card Slip-Customer Copy) to your shoe reimbursement e-form to show that the shoe purchased meets the safety/work shoe requirements as indicated above.