Is it necessary to wear steel-toed footwear in a school shop environment?

In a school shop environment, safety is paramount. Wearing steel-toed footwear is generally recommended because it provides essential protection against potential injuries from dropped tools, heavy equipment, or other hazards common in such settings. Steel-toe shoes are designed to safeguard the toes from blunt force, making them a sensible choice in environments where heavy items are handled.

While it might be permissible in some instances to wear non-open toe shoes, this is often not sufficient to ensure safety. Non-open toe shoes may reduce the risk of some minor injuries, but they do not offer the same level of protection as steel-toed footwear. Therefore, the idea that only non-open toe shoes are required does not align with best practices in safety, where the emphasis should be on maximizing protection through appropriate gear.