Are composite toe boots MSHA approved?

Answer 1

In short yes, but here is the msha guideline..

56/57.15003 Protective Footwear

This standard requires that all persons shall wear suitable protective footwear when in or around an area of a mine or plant where a hazard exists which could cause injury to the feet.

The standard considers the existence of a hazard to the feet as the basic criterion necessitating the wearing of protective footwear. Inspectors should carefully examine the work areas and procedures to make this determination. However, it is rare that such hazards are not encountered in mining or milling operations.

Most mining company safety requirements for protective footwear are more stringent than the MSHA standard. A company policy requiring everyone to wear protective footwear at all times at the mining operation is much easier to implement and provides better protection than determining individual situations where protective footwear is required.

MSHA's standard does not define protective footwear. MSHA considers substantial hard-toed shoes or boots to be the minimum protection acceptable for most mining applications. There may be times when special purpose foot protection, such as metatarsal protectors, is needed. There may also be some instances where heavy leather shoes or boots will provide adequate safety for the feet.