Yeah, it's not good at all and something I have to put some effort into. I've got a strategy but it'll come down to what happens tomorrow at the meeting. I'm normally pretty good in these cases, but one never knows. This company is the largest if it's type in Australia and are multi-national so, to be unt about it, they don't fuck around. I'm hoping to be able to do enough.
Steel-toe footwear is all about insurance, not saving toes, these days. If something heavy enough impacts the toe area the cap won't save the toes as you say. But insurance companies require certain things to be met and that is one. If an incident happens and standards haven't been met then payouts/cover is in jeopardy. The government enforced/policed, work cover thing comes into play also.
Still, they're a requirement and a driver should know better than to turn up without them. That driver has two more hours with the company before he is speared. He has himself to blame.