Non-slip work shoes: are they mandatory in Quebec?

Do you work in healthcare or food service and wonder if slip-resistant footwear is really mandatory? The answer is yes, in most cases. It’s not just a matter of comfort, but also of safety.

What the law says in Quebec
In Quebec, the CNESST (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail) is clear: footwear must comply with the CAN/CSA-Z195 standard for protective footwear when workers are exposed to risks of foot injury.

But specifically regarding slip-resistant footwear, the federal law, which also applies in Quebec, states:

“When there is a risk of slipping in a workplace, people present must wear slip-resistant footwear.”

In hospitals or kitchens, the risk of slipping is considered constant (water, oil, grease, soap). Therefore, employers have an obligation to assess the risks and require employees to wear appropriate footwear.

Standards you need to know: SRA, SRB, SRC, and EN ISO 20347
You often see the letters SRA, SRB, and SRC on boxes. Here’s what they mean:

SRA: sole tested on ceramic tile with soap and water – resistance in wet conditions
SRB: sole tested on steel with grease/oil – resistance in oily conditions
SRC: the best – it has passed both the SRA and SRB tests

All work shoes that meet the EN 20347 standard must comply with one of these three slip resistance tests.

What are the risks of not wearing slip-resistant shoes?
For the employee: falls, sprains, fractures, and time off work. It’s the leading cause of accidents in hospitals.

For the employer: fines from the CNESST (Quebec’s workplace health and safety board), legal action if a risk assessment hasn’t been conducted, and increased contributions.

SRA: sole tested on ceramic tile flooring with soap and water – resistance in wet conditions
SRB: sole tested on steel flooring with grease/oil – resistance in greasy conditions
SRC: the highest level of slip resistance – it has passed both the SRA and SRB tests

All work shoes that meet the EN 20347 standard must comply with one of these three slip resistance tests.

What are the risks of not wearing slip-resistant shoes?

For the employee: falls, sprains, fractures, and time off work. It’s the leading cause of accidents in hospitals.

For the employer: fines from the CNESST (Quebec’s workplace health and safety board), legal action if a risk assessment hasn’t been carried out, and increased contributions.

SRA: sole tested on ceramic tile flooring with soap and water – resistance in wet conditions

SRB: sole tested on steel flooring with grease/oil – resistance in oil/water A sole with good grip helps stabilize posture, and the CNESST (Quebec’s workplace health and safety board) recommends keeping floors clean and dry to maximize traction. But a floor never stays dry for long.

How do you choose the right slip-resistant shoe? The CNESST itself states that a good work shoe should be:

1. Lightweight, especially if you walk long distances
2. With good grip, a moderately textured sole to break up the water/oil film
3. With ankle support to prevent sprains

That’s why at LG Confort Médical, we offer shoes certified to SRC standards (water and oil resistant), ultra-lightweight (180g), and breathable.
Machine washable, laceless to prevent contamination, and comfortably wide.