Effective Date: January 1, 2019
This policy is to comply with federal regulations as set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (SHA); ensure the safety of UF Information Technology (UFIT) employees and provision and define the process for the Personal Protective Footwear (PPF) Voucher Program.
POLICY
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require each affected employee must wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injury(ies). To ensure the safety of UFIT employees, appropriate personal protective footwear must be worn by all persons when working areas where there is a danger of foot injury(ies).
UF Information Technology (UFIT) will annually provide employees with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for foot safety.
ELIGIBILITY
Employees are eligible to participate in the voucher program when one or more of the following conditions are met:
- The employee is hired into a position that requires protective footwear;
- The employee is currently in a position that requires protective footwear, but has not received a voucher or stipend for said footwear since the beginning of the effective fiscal year;
- The UFIT department head certifies that the current pair of safety footwear is unfit for continued wear.
- In the event of certain conditions where the protective footwear was damaged beyond normal wear and tear while the employee was performing work-related job functions and/or are during the working hours, the supervisor may authorize that UFIT issue a voucher for a second pair of protective footwear.
Only one pair of safety footwear will be allotted per eligible employee each University fiscal year. Any replacement of safety footwear within the year period must be purchased at the expense of the employee unless said replacement meets the conditions specified above.
At no time, under any circumstance, shall the employee be excused from wearing safety footwear while performing job-specific tasks that require said footwear.
If an employee is terminated within the probationary period, that person must reimburse the University for the full cost of the safety footwear. It is the responsibility of the individual unit to initiate and confirm completion of the repayment by the terminated employee.
RELATED PROCEDURES, FORMS, GUIDELINES and OTHER RESOURCES
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR (PPF) VOUCHER PROGRAM PROCEDURE
Upon eligibility, employees supervisor are to request a voucher by submitting the appropriate service request to the UFIT Business Center.
Eligible employees will be issued one voucher that will cover up to $150.00 for one pair of personal protective footwear and is to be used at the approved UFIT contracted vendor only. Any amount over the allotted $150 will be the responsibility of the employee.
UFIT CONTRACTED VENDOR
Red Wing Shoes
1133 NW 76th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32606
GUIDELINES
All personal protective footwear must meet the minimum requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI Z41-1 as referenced by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
The personal protective footwear may not be cowboy boots, athletic shoes, or hunting boots.
All shoe orders will be paid to the contracted vendor by the UFIT Business Center and redeemed by the employee with a UFIT issued voucher.
Eligible employees may choose not to participate in the voucher program but will not be exempt from the requirement of wearing approved personal protective footwear.
ADITIONAL CONTACTS
UFIT Business Center
720 SW 2nd Avenue
Suite 250, North Tower
Gainesville, FL 32601
DEFINITIONS
Fiscal Year
Calendar months identified by the University of Florida Division of Financial Services. Typically, July 1 – June 30; but may be subject to change per State of Florida regulations and/or Division of Financial Services discretion.
Eligible Employees
UFIT employees who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section II of the Personal Protective Footwear Policy, regardless of individual or entity providing personal protective footwear.
EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2019
APPROVED BY:
RESPONSIBLE UFIT OFFICER: Barb Sedesse, Director, UFIT Business Center
RESPONSIBLE UFIT OFFICE: UFIT Business Center
POLICY CONTACT: Liz Reed
SUPERSEDES: Any and all prior personal protective equipment policies, processes and/or procedures as they relate to employee footwear.
LAST REVIEWED/UPDATED: n/a
APPLIES TO: UF Information Technology (UFIT)