Criteria for replacing shoes and boots due to excessive wear and tear are very subjective. However, it is recommended to replace all types of industrial footwear every six months and, in some cases, even sooner. This is especially important for safety footwear (such as impact- or compression-resistant footwear or chemical- or slip-resistant footwear) where an employee’s health and safety is an issue and concern.
The National Safety Council, in its “Selection and User Guide for Protective Footwear,” recommends immediately replacing impact- and compression-resistant shoes if there’s “evidence of physical damage” to the toe area. For safety footwear with metatarsal guards, immediate replacement is also recommended after an impact has occurred or when the metatarsal guard is exposed from wear and tear, according to the guide.