Workplace Footwear Laws in Ireland

When it comes to workplace footwear laws, the legal requirements for protective shoes and boots in Irish work environments. Also known as safety footwear regulations, these rules exist to prevent slips, falls, crush injuries, and electrical hazards on the job. It’s not about fashion—it’s about survival. If you’re standing on wet floors, lifting heavy loads, or walking through construction sites, the law says your employer must give you footwear that protects you. And you don’t pay for it.

These laws tie directly to safety footwear, shoes and boots designed to meet specific Irish and EU safety standards like EN ISO 20345. Also known as protective footwear, this includes steel-toe caps, slip-resistant soles, and waterproof materials that handle Ireland’s constant rain and uneven pavements. You’ll see these in warehouses, hospitals, farms, and factories across the country. But here’s the catch: not all boots labeled "safety" are legal. Only those with the correct certification mark count. Your employer can’t just hand you a pair of cheap trainers and call it a day.

It’s not just about the shoe—it’s about employer responsibilities, the legal duty Irish businesses have to assess risks and supply appropriate gear. Also known as duty of care, this means if your job involves standing all day or working near machinery, your boss must provide the right footwear, maintain it, and train you on how to use it properly. They can’t say "you can buy your own" unless they’re paying you extra to do it. And if you’re injured because you weren’t given proper shoes? That’s a violation.

These rules don’t just cover factories. Nurses, cleaners, delivery drivers, and even retail workers in busy stores all need protection. Ireland’s weather makes slip hazards worse—wet floors, muddy entryways, and icy sidewalks mean your footwear isn’t optional. It’s part of your job safety package.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical stories from Irish workers—how they learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t, which brands actually hold up in Irish conditions, and how to push back when your employer tries to cut corners. You’ll see how a pair of boots can mean the difference between a safe day and a trip to the hospital. This isn’t theory. It’s what people are wearing—and fighting for—right now across the country.