Read colour, shape and code together
Canadian safety-footwear markings communicate separate protection categories. Read every symbol permanently attached to the exact pair and match the complete label to the workplace requirement.
| Symbol | Meaning in the CCOHS reference | Selection boundary |
|---|---|---|
 Green triangle | Grade 1 protective toe with puncture-resistant sole protection. | Verify both protections on the exact pair. |
 Yellow triangle | Grade 2 protective toe with puncture-resistant sole protection. | Do not treat Grade 2 as Grade 1. |
 Blue rectangle | Grade 1 protective toe without certified puncture-resistant sole protection. | Add a separate puncture requirement when the hazard exists. |
 Grey rectangle | Grade 2 protective toe without certified puncture-resistant sole protection. | The rectangle does not establish sole puncture protection. |
 M marking | Metatarsal protection for the upper-foot region. | Confirm it separately from the toe marking. |
 Orange Omega | Electric-shock protective footwear for applicable Canadian workplaces. | Wear and wet conditions can reduce resistance. |
 Yellow SD | Static-dissipative footwear for a defined static-control requirement. | Do not use it as live-conductor protection. |
 Red C | Electrically conductive footwear for rapid static dissipation. | Conductive footwear is not electrical-shock protection. |
 Green fir tree | Chainsaw-protection category. | Verify the exact code, model and workplace requirement. |
Separate toe, sole and metatarsal protection
Falling or rolling objects, sharp debris and upper-foot impact are different exposures. Triangles combine specified toe and puncture protection, while rectangles identify toe protection without certified puncture-resistant sole protection. The M marking answers a separate metatarsal question.
Separate Omega, SD and C
The orange Omega, yellow SD and red C markings serve different purposes. Start with the documented hazard, then match the workplace requirement to the complete marking and current exact-model record.
- Omega: electric-shock protective footwear for the applicable Canadian requirement.
- SD: static-dissipative footwear used within a defined static-control system.
- C: electrically conductive footwear where rapid charge dissipation is required.
Use a five-step label check
- Confirm Canada and the workplace requirement.
- Identify every colour, shape and code on the permanent marking.
- Keep toe, puncture, metatarsal, electrical, static and chainsaw categories separate.
- Match the marking to the exact model, SKU and configuration.
- Inspect condition and follow the employer testing and replacement procedure.
Common errors
- Assuming every protective-toe shoe includes puncture-resistant sole protection.
- Ignoring the grade shown by the colour and symbol family.
- Treating a metatarsal marking as a substitute for toe protection.
- Confusing Omega, SD and conductive categories.
- Using a CSA symbol as automatic proof of an ASTM or EN ISO requirement.
Official reference
Compare the actual marking with the current CCOHS Safety Footwear reference. Confirm the applicable Canadian workplace rule and exact-pair documentation before selection.
