Dielectric Boots & Overshoes

Electrical hazard (EH) footwear and dielectric overshoes are made to resist the flow of electricity through your feet to the ground. They can reduce injury if you step on a live conductor or if a stray current appears. But they are only backup protection. They never replace de-energizing, lockout, insulated gloves, safe distances or safe work practices.

• Electricians
• Utility Workers
• Maintenance & Industrial Workers

Two kinds of electrical footwear

OSHA requires foot protection that meets recognized standards when workers face electrical hazards (29 CFR 1910.136 and 1926.96), and requires insulating equipment in certain tasks. See Foot Protection.

What the EH rating means

• EH footwear is tested to withstand 18,000 volts at 60 hertz for one minute with no current flow or leakage current exceeding 1.0 milliampere, in dry conditions. It’s designed to reduce the chance of a shock path from a live circuit through the footwear to the ground.
• The rating applies to new, clean, dry footwear that has not been worn out, cut, pierced or soaked. The protection drops as the sole wears and as footwear gets wet, dirty or contaminated.
• It is secondary protection. It does not protect against hazards when you touch a live part with your hand and ground through your body in other ways, and it does not substitute for rubber insulating gloves. See Rubber Insulating Gloves.
• EH footwear is not intended for high voltage lines or for working near energized equipment without other protective equipment. Higher exposures need rated insulating overshoes, mats and gloves.
• Safety toes and shanks in EH boots are non-metallic or covered so that they don’t make a conductive path. Metal parts that are exposed (eyelets, nails, steel shank) can compromise protection, so check the construction and the label.

Limits and what can go wrong

• Wet or damp footwear conducts electricity. Sweat, water, mud and conductive dust degrade the rating. Don’t rely on EH boots in wet locations. See Wet Locations.
• Worn soles and heels, cuts, embedded nails or metal shavings, and cracks reduce protection or make the boots ineffective. Check the soles often.
• Contaminated soles: oil, chemicals, metal dust, salt and conductive particles on soles and in tread create a conductive path.
• Altered footwear: adding metal studs, cleats, orthotic parts or replacing soles can change the electrical properties. Use ice cleats only where safe. See Ice Cleats.
• Steel-toe boots without EH rating can conduct. Never assume ordinary safety shoes protect.
• False confidence: EH boots are not a reason to work live, to skip lockout, or to stand in water.

Dielectric overshoes

• Used with live-line work, substations and high-voltage work in addition to other insulating protection, such as insulating gloves, mats and sleeves. They are rated by class (voltage ratings) and must be marked with the class and standard.
• Overshoes must fit over the work boots snugly, with treads that grip. Check the size and the sole.
• Test and inspect them as OSHA and the maker require: visual inspection before each use and periodic electrical testing (for example, every 6 months for footwear in service, as the program and standard direct). See Qualified vs. Unqualified Persons.
• Keep records of testing dates, and remove failed pairs. Mark each pair with its test date.
• Don’t wear them on slippery or sharp surfaces for long periods, and don’t drive in them, since they can be slippery and awkward.

Choosing, wearing and caring for electrical footwear

• Look for the EH mark on the label or tongue, with the ASTM F2413 standard and the current year code. Buy from reputable makers. See Buying PPE and Counterfeit PPE.
• Choose boots that fit well, with a good tread for the work. Poor fit causes foot problems and slips.
• Inspect before each shift: check the sole and heel, exposed metal, cuts, embedded debris, cracks, wetness and loose parts. Remove metal debris from the tread.
• Keep them clean and dry. Dry them between shifts at room temperature away from direct heat, and rotate pairs if your feet sweat. Wear dry socks.
• Replace them when soles wear, after contamination or damage, and after electrical contact. Retire any pair that has been exposed to a flash or shock.
• Store carefully, away from chemicals, sharp tools and heat, and keep them off the floor of a truck cab where metal debris can collect.
• Don’t modify the footwear, and check with the maker before adding insoles or orthotics.
• Use the full set of protection: lockout, testing, insulated tools and gloves, arc-rated clothing and safe distances. See Lockout/Tagout and Arc Flash.

Electrical footwear checklist

• My boots are marked EH under ASTM F2413, and fit properly
• Soles and heels are intact, dry and free of nails, metal and contamination
• I never rely on EH boots as my main protection, and I still de-energize, lock out and test
• Dielectric overshoes are the right class, inspected and tested on schedule
• I replace worn or damaged footwear and don’t modify it
• I avoid wet conditions or use the right added protection

Last updated: October 5, 2026