Do you work in a hospital, nursing home, or home care? Then you probably spend a large part of your day on your feet. From room to room, ward to ward, your feet take a beating. It's no surprise then that you might wonder: do I actually have to wear medical clogs for my job, or can I choose for myself?
The honest answer: it varies by workplace. There is no law stating that every healthcare worker is required to wear medical clogs. However, many hospitals, nursing homes, and care institutions do prescribe what type of footwear you are allowed to wear at work, and medical clogs almost always meet these requirements.
Below, we explain exactly how this works, when clogs are mandatory, and why so many healthcare professionals consciously choose them, even when they don't have to.
What does the law say about footwear in healthcare?
Every employer in the Netherlands is obliged to ensure a safe workplace. This is stated in the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet). For healthcare institutions, this means, among other things, that they must consider the footwear of their employees, especially in environments where there is a risk of slipping, falling objects, or contact with liquids.
The law does not literally state that you must wear medical clogs. What is mandatory: the employer must identify the risks in the workplace and provide appropriate protective equipment. In many healthcare institutions, appropriate footwear falls under this. More information about the official guidelines for foot protection at work can be found on the Arboportaal.
When do employers prescribe medical clogs?
In practice, many healthcare institutions determine for themselves which footwear is mandatory at work. This varies per department and institution:
• Operating Room (OR): The strictest requirements apply here. The Healthcare Inspectorate regularly checks the footwear of OR staff during visitations, using the WIP guideline. Medical clogs that meet MDR certification are the standard here.
• Hospital and nursing home: Most institutions prescribe closed, anti-slip, and cleanable footwear. Medical clogs are ideally suited for this.
• Home care and general practice: The employer is less strict here, but many professionals still consciously choose medical clogs for comfort and hygiene.
• Dental practice: No legal obligation, but medical clogs are widely worn due to long periods of standing and hygiene requirements.
Why do healthcare professionals consciously choose medical clogs?
Even when not mandatory, many healthcare professionals consciously choose them. Simply because they make work more comfortable and help prevent complaints. The benefits are clear: an anatomical footbed supports your posture, the anti-slip sole prevents slipping on wet floors, and the material is easy to clean with a damp cloth or disinfectant.
Read more about the benefits of medical clogs in our article: Why wear medical clogs? 5 reasons that convince healthcare professionals
What must a good medical clog comply with?
Whether they are mandatory or not, if you wear medical clogs, it is important that they meet the right requirements. When purchasing, pay attention to:
• MDR certification: officially recognized as a Medical Device (EU 2017/745)
• Anti-slip sole: certified for wet and dry surfaces (EN ISO 20347:2022)
• Anatomical footbed: for good support of posture and feet
• Wipeable material: resistant to disinfectants and liquids
• Correct fit: many medical clogs run smaller than your normal shoe size
Florensa medical clogs: meet all requirements
Florensa medical clogs are MDR-certified, antistatic, and comply with the EN ISO 20347:2022 standard. They are handmade in Shaped4's own European factory and are available in sizes 36 to 48. Whether you work in the OR, home care, or a nursing home: there is always a model that suits your workplace and preference. View the complete collection on the medical clogs page.