Facilities & Marine Operations       |      Duke University Marine Lab

Marine Lab Policies, Procedures and Protocols

• Each Department will reduce the possibility of foot injuries in the work area by implementing changes in procedures, methods or design to eliminate foot hazards.
• The University Safety Office will identify and define those areas requiring foot protection. Each area will then require a sign posted at each entrance: "Foot Protection Area-Safety Shoes Are Required".

• Employees assigned to jobs within foot protection areas or required to enter foot protection areas on a routing basis shall wear safety shoes at all times.
• Employees assigned to jobs that require lifting objects weighing more than 10 pounds on a routine basis shall wear safety shoes at all times.
• Note: Employees assigned to jobs that require lifting of heavy objects, moving heavy items such as furniture or equipment, or working in foot protection areas for brief periods, but not on a daily/routine schedule shall wear safety shoes when required.

• The Marine Lab will provide a subsidy to each employee required to wear safety shoes. Any cost exceeding the subsidy amount is the responsibility of the employee or in some cases the Department.

  1. Probationary Employees: Probationary employees are required to have safety shoes prior to performing any job as described above. The subsidy for probationary employees is $40.00. An additional $40.00 may be issued after the probationary period, but no later than one calendar year from date of employment.

  2. Regular Employees: The subsidy for permanent employees whose job requires wearing safety shoes as described above is $80.00 per calendar year. This subsidy may be divided in to two payments of $40.00 each or the employee may select to receive $80.00 at one time.

  3. Student Labor Pool/Temporary Employees: The subsidy for those employees who are hired through the Student Labor Pool or Temporary Services are required to have safety shoes prior to performing any job as described above. The subsidy is $10.00 per calendar year.

  Note: Purchases of safety shoes for amounts less than the subsidy will be considered the same as spending the full amount. No refunds or credits will be authorized.

• Employees performing certain jobs that require highly specialized footwear (welders, high voltage repairmen) or work in exceptional conditions as determined by the Safety Office are not restricted by the above subsidy amounts.

  1. Employees of Marine Operations: The subsidy for employees whose job requires the wearing of safety shoes as described above and who are required to handle boats and work near salt water is $120.00 per calendar year (maximum of three pairs of safety shoes); $40.00 of this subsidy may be reserved for a "deck shoe" in accordance with the specifications of the Boat Committee and the University Safety Office.

  2. All Others: Each staff member who works in areas which require protective foot wear will have available to them an annual allowance of $80 (maximum of two pairs of saftey shoes). Shoes must meet safety requirements.

  3. High-Voltage Repairmen and Welders: Employees whose job requires high voltage electrical work or welding will be paid the full price for their safety shoes up to two pairs per calendar year.

• Obtain a requisition from the Purchasing Office

• Purchase shoes and bring receipt to the Business Office for reimbursement

• If approved for repair, the employee may have the shoes repaired by a vendor of his choice at a cost not the exceed $10.00. The employee will then return the receipt and written approval of the supervisor to the Business Office.

• If approved for replacement by the supervisor a subsidy of $40.00 will be granted. The employee may then purchase the safety shoes through an authorized vendor as described above. The calendar year will start at the date of purchase and the next subsidy will be limited to $40.00 until the calendar year has passed.

• Note: Taxes and costs above the repair subsidy are not reimbursable.