What was recalled
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall for a specific line of work footwear manufactured by Dan Post Boot Company under their McRae Industrial brand. This action covers both steel toe boots and static dissipative shoes that were designed to provide protection in industrial or construction environments. The core issue involves seven distinct styles within the McRae Industrial collection. These items are not generic safety gear; they are specific models identified by precise model numbers printed on a tag located either on the lining of the boot or on the tongue of the shoe. If you own any of these specific identifiers, your footwear may be part of this recall.
The seven recalled model numbers are MR85300, MR85394, MR47321, MR47616, MR87321, MR43002, and MR83310. Each of these styles varies slightly in design, target demographic, and safety features, but all fall under the scope of this safety notice. The MR85300 is a brown men’s pull-on waterproof boot featuring a rubber foot and steel toe protection, originally priced at $120. Similarly, the MR85394 is also a brown men’s pull-on waterproof boot with a steel toe and EH rating, sold for $127. On the footwear side, the recall includes several hiker-style shoes. The MR47321 is a brown women’s hiker shoe with a composite toe and met guard, priced at $103. The MR47616 is a brown ladies’ hiker shoe with the same composite toe and met guard configuration, costing $107. The MR87321 is a brown men’s hiker shoe with a composite toe and met guard, available for $104.
Further expanding the range of affected items are two additional shoes designed with static dissipative properties to help prevent the buildup of static electricity. The MR43002 is a gray and purple women’s hiker shoe that includes a composite toe, met guard, and static dissipative features, originally listed at $92. Finally, the MR83310 is a black men’s hiker shoe with a composite toe and static dissipative attributes, priced at $82. The recall was officially announced on August 15, 2017. While the provided records do not specify the exact retail locations or online platforms where these items were sold, they confirm that these specific McRae Industrial products are the ones requiring immediate attention due to the potential for failure in protecting feet from heavy or sharp objects.
The hazard, explained
At the heart of this recall is a fundamental failure in protection: the safety boots and shoes from Dan Post Boot Company may not provide the impact and compression resistance they are designed to offer. These products are marketed as safety footwear, specifically featuring steel toe or composite toe constructions intended to shield the wearer’s feet from heavy falling objects or sharp hazards commonly found in industrial and construction environments. When you step into a pair of work boots labeled with safety attributes like "Steel toe" or "Composite toe," you are relying on a rigid barrier between your foot and potential danger. The hazard here is that, under certain conditions, this barrier can fail to perform its primary job.
To understand why this matters, it helps to look at what these boots are supposed to do. A safety toe cap is engineered to withstand specific levels of force—typically 75 foot-pounds for steel toes or equivalent energy for composite materials—without deforming enough to crush the toes underneath. The problem arises when the internal structure of the boot, whether it’s the steel component in models like the MR85300 and MR85394, or the composite material in styles such as the MR47321 and MR47616, is compromised or defective. If the material fractures, separates from the sole, or bends under pressure that it should have resisted, the foot is left exposed.
This failure mode is particularly dangerous because it often happens without warning. You might be walking on a job site, assuming your feet are protected by the reinforced toe box. Then, an object falls—a tool, a piece of metal, or in the case of the incident reported to the CPSC, a heavy tire. Instead of absorbing and distributing that force safely around the foot, the defective toe cap allows the object to press directly against your toes. This can result in severe crush injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, or permanent damage to the feet. The hazard is not just about discomfort; it is about the sudden loss of structural integrity in a critical safety device.
The risk is amplified by the nature of the work these boots are designed for. Workers often carry heavy loads or operate in environments where objects can fall from heights or shift unexpectedly. A composite toe, while lighter than steel, must still meet rigorous standards to prevent penetration and compression. If the adhesive bonding the toe cap fails, or if the material itself is substandard, the boot becomes little more than a regular shoe with a false sense of security. This is why the CPSC has stepped in: the potential for serious injury from a seemingly simple mechanical failure is too great to ignore.
It is also important to note that this hazard applies across different types of safety features included in this recall. Whether you have static dissipative shoes designed to prevent electrostatic discharge, or boots with met guards for additional foot protection, the core issue remains the same: the toe area may not protect against impact. This means that even if other aspects of the boot are functioning correctly, the primary defense against heavy falling objects is unreliable. Understanding this helps clarify why the remedy is a full refund rather than a repair; the structural integrity of the safety toe cannot be easily verified or fixed once it has left the factory.
In summary, the hazard is not about wear and tear from normal use, but a potential defect in the protective mechanism itself. When heavy or sharp objects fall on your foot, you expect the boot to act as a shield. If that shield fails, the force of the impact transfers directly to your bones and tissue. This is why immediate action is necessary: continuing to wear these boots puts you at risk of injury from everyday hazards that should have been safely mitigated by proper safety footwear.
Who is most at risk
The primary group at risk in this recall consists of workers who rely on industrial safety footwear for daily protection in hazardous environments. Specifically, individuals wearing the McRae Industrial brand steel toe boots and composite toe shoes are vulnerable because these items are marketed toward professionals in construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics. These workers frequently encounter heavy loads, such as metal parts, tools, or building materials, which can easily slip or be dropped during routine operations. The recalled styles include both men’s and women’s options, indicating that the risk extends across the entire workforce regardless of gender. Because these boots are designed for "pull-on" wear and hiker-style designs, they are often used in settings where workers need quick mobility alongside foot protection, making them common staples in active job sites.
Within this broader group, certain individuals face heightened consequences if the protective features fail. The recall notice highlights a specific incident involving a broken foot caused by a falling tire. This suggests that workers in automotive repair, heavy equipment maintenance, or industrial loading docks are particularly at risk, as they routinely handle large, dense objects like tires, machinery components, and steel beams. For these employees, the failure of a toe cap to withstand significant impact does not merely result in discomfort; it can lead to severe traumatic injuries, including fractures, crush injuries, or long-term mobility issues. Workers who may have pre-existing foot conditions or reduced bone density are especially vulnerable to such high-impact events, as their feet may be less able to tolerate the force transferred through compromised footwear.
While the recall does not explicitly mention children or the elderly as direct users of these industrial boots, it is important to note that anyone purchasing this equipment for a workplace environment shares in this risk. This includes supervisors, safety officers, or facility managers who might be inspecting sites and wearing similar protective gear. Additionally, workers who have purchased these specific models second-hand should also consider themselves at risk, as the hazard persists regardless of ownership history. The static dissipative feature found in some of the recalled shoes (models MR43002 and MR83310) is designed to protect against electrical hazards, meaning that electricians or technicians working with sensitive electronic equipment are also part of the affected population. For all these individuals, the core risk is not just the immediate injury from a falling object, but the false sense of security provided by footwear that appears intact but has failed its critical safety function. Therefore, any professional who depends on heavy-duty foot protection in environments with overhead loads or rolling heavy objects falls into the high-risk category for this specific recall.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you own safety footwear from McRae Industrial, it is essential to verify whether your specific pair is part of this recall before taking any further action. The recall affects seven distinct styles of McRae Industrial brand shoes and boots, so simply knowing the brand name is not enough to determine if your gear is affected. You must examine the physical tags attached to the footwear to find the specific model numbers. These numbers are printed on a tag located on the lining of the boot or on the tongue of the shoe. This is your primary method of identification, as these seven model numbers are the only ones included in this recall: MR85300, MR85394, MR47321, MR47616, MR87321, MR43002, and MR83310.
To help you confirm your match, look closely at the color and style description associated with each model number. The recalled items are primarily brown and black hiker shoes and pull-on waterproof boots, with one specific women’s shoe in gray and purple. For instance, if you have a pair of men’s pull-on waterproof boots with a rubber foot and steel toe in brown, check for model MR85300 or MR85394. If you own women’s hiker shoes, verify if the model is MR47321 (brown) or MR43002 (gray/purple). For men’s hiker shoes with composite toes and met guards, look for MR47616 (brown), MR87321 (brown), or MR83310 (black).
In addition to the model number, you can cross-reference the safety attributes and price points listed in the recall notice. The recalled boots feature either steel toes with Electrical Hazard (EH) protection or composite toes. The shoes generally have composite toes, with some including met guards or static dissipative properties. Prices for these items range from $82 to $127. While price alone is not a definitive identifier, knowing the original purchase price can help you confirm if you bought one of these specific recalled styles. If you cannot find a tag with one of the seven listed model numbers on the lining or tongue, your footwear is likely not part of this recall. However, if you locate one of these models, stop wearing them immediately and follow the return instructions to receive a full refund.
What to do — step by step
If you own any of the recalled McRae Industrial brand safety boots or shoes, your immediate priority is to ensure your physical safety by removing the hazard from your daily routine. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Dan Post Boot Company have identified a critical failure in these products: they may not provide adequate protection against heavy or sharp objects falling on your feet. Because this defect compromises the fundamental purpose of safety footwear, you must immediately stop wearing these boots and shoes. Do not wait for a convenient time to retire them; discontinue use right away to prevent potential injury. The risk is real, as evidenced by the one reported incident where a tire fell on a wearer’s foot, resulting in a broken bone. Your feet are too valuable to gamble with equipment that has been deemed unsafe. Once you have taken the boots or shoes off your feet, do not attempt to repair them yourself or donate them to others. The remedy provided by the manufacturer is straightforward: you must return the product to receive a full refund. To initiate this process, you need to contact Dan Post Boot Company through one of their designated consumer support channels. You can call their Return Department toll-free at 866-301-4488. Please note that this line is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. If you prefer written communication or need more detailed instructions on packaging and shipping, you may also send an email to dpreturns1@danpostboots.com. For those who prefer handling logistics online, Dan Post Boot Company has set up a specific pathway for this recall. Visit their website at www.danpostboots.com and look for the recall tab located in the middle of the page. This section will provide you with the necessary forms and shipping labels to return your item efficiently. When you reach out via phone, email, or the online portal, have your model number ready. The affected models are MR85300, MR85394, MR47321, MR47616, MR87321, MR43002, and MR83310. You can verify you have a recalled item by checking the tag on the lining of the boot or the tongue of the shoe for these specific numbers. By following these steps precisely, you ensure that you are not only protecting yourself but also participating in the official safety correction process.Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have identified one of the recalled McRae Industrial boots or shoes in your possession, the first and most critical step is to stop wearing them immediately. The remedy provided by Dan Post Boot Company is straightforward and consumer-friendly: you are entitled to a full refund for your purchase. It is important to understand that there is no offer of repair or replacement with a new, safer model in this specific recall action. The company has chosen to issue complete refunds because the fundamental safety integrity of these specific steel toe and composite toe products has been compromised. By returning the item, you are not just getting your money back; you are removing a known hazard from your daily routine, ensuring that neither you nor anyone else in your household is exposed to the risk of foot injury from heavy or sharp objects.
To initiate this process, you need to contact the Dan Post Boot Company Return Department directly. The company has established several convenient channels for you to reach them, regardless of whether you prefer speaking to a representative or handling the logistics online. You can call their toll-free number at 866-301-4488. Please note that this line is operational from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. If you are calling from a different time zone, it is wise to check the current time difference to ensure your call connects during business hours. Having your proof of purchase and the specific model number ready before you call will help streamline the conversation.
If you prefer digital communication or need more information before making a move, you can email Dan Post directly at dpreturns1@danpostboots.com. This is particularly useful if you have specific questions about packaging or shipping instructions that are not covered in the general recall notice. Additionally, the company has set up a dedicated online resource for this recall. You can visit www.danpostboots.com and look for the recall tab located in the middle of the page. This section of their website likely contains the most up-to-date instructions on how to package your boots or shoes securely for return, as well as any forms you might need to fill out to process your refund efficiently.
While the recall facts do not specify whether Dan Post covers the shipping costs for the return, it is standard practice in such consumer safety recalls for the manufacturer to absorb these expenses. However, if this is a point of concern for you, be sure to ask about return shipping arrangements when you contact them via phone or email. The goal here is to make the process as frictionless as possible for you, allowing you to focus on purchasing safer footwear instead of worrying about the logistics of returning a defective product. By following these steps, you ensure that your financial investment is protected and your safety is prioritized.
What can happen if you ignore it
When a recall is issued for safety-critical footwear like the McRae Industrial boots and shoes mentioned in this notice, the primary concern is not merely inconvenience but genuine physical danger. These items are designed to be your first line of defense against heavy impacts and sharp objects in industrial or construction environments. If you continue to wear them after learning they have failed their safety tests, you are essentially relying on a false sense of security. The steel toes and composite materials that should absorb shock and prevent penetration may no longer do so effectively. This means that if a heavy object falls on your foot, the force is transferred directly to your bones rather than being dissipated by the boot’s structure.
The consequences of ignoring this recall can be severe and long-lasting. As noted in the incident reports associated with this specific batch, there has already been at least one confirmed case where a tire fell onto a worker’s foot while he was wearing these recalled safety boots. The result was a broken foot. This is not a minor bruise or a scraped shin; it is a significant trauma that can lead to surgery, extended recovery time, permanent mobility issues, and substantial medical bills. By continuing to use the recalled footwear, you are risking similar injuries. In worst-case scenarios, if an object penetrates the sole or strikes a vulnerable area not protected by the compromised toe box, the risk of puncture wounds or nerve damage increases dramatically.
Beyond the immediate physical trauma, there are broader implications for your health and livelihood. A broken foot or severe laceration can sideline you from work for weeks or months, potentially affecting your income and career progression in industries where physical capability is paramount. Furthermore, repeated exposure to unsafe conditions without proper protection can lead to chronic pain or arthritis in the affected joints later in life. The "EH" (Electrical Hazard) rating, present in some of these models, also implies a level of electrical insulation that may be compromised, adding the risk of electric shock if you are working near live circuits.
It is easy to think, "I’ve worn them for months without an issue," but safety ratings are not guarantees based on luck; they are engineering benchmarks. When those benchmarks fail, the product becomes a liability rather than an asset. The hazard here is silent until it strikes. You cannot visually inspect the internal integrity of the toe cap or the sole’s puncture resistance to know if it has degraded. Therefore, assuming the boot is still safe because it looks fine is a dangerous gamble with your physical well-being. The cost of ignoring this recall is measured in potential pain and permanent injury, whereas the remedy—a full refund—costs you nothing but time. Do not wait for an accident to validate the seriousness of this warning.
Staying safe: broader tips
Safety extends far beyond the lifespan of any single product recall. While it is crucial to act promptly when notified about a defect, building a long-term habit of vigilance and proactive maintenance is what truly protects you and your family in the workplace and at home. For individuals who rely on safety footwear daily, understanding how these items degrade over time is just as important as knowing which models are currently under review. Even non-recalled boots and shoes have a finite service life. The materials that provide impact resistance, such as steel toes or composite inserts, can suffer from micro-fractures or delamination due to repeated stress, moisture exposure, and general wear. Therefore, regular visual inspections are essential. Before every shift, take a moment to check the soles for excessive wear, look for cracks in the upper material, and ensure that the toe cap area has not been compromised by sharp impacts that might have gone unnoticed.
Beyond physical inspection, proper care significantly extends the protective integrity of your gear. Keep your safety boots clean and dry whenever possible. Excessive moisture can break down adhesives and weaken leather or synthetic materials, reducing their ability to protect against electrical hazards or punctures. If your job requires standing on wet or conductive surfaces, ensure that your footwear’s Electrical Hazard (EH) rating is still valid by checking for signs of wear on the heel and sole that could compromise insulation. Never assume that a pair of boots will last forever just because they look fine on the outside; internal structural damage is often invisible until it is too late.
Furthermore, cultivate a broader mindset of product awareness. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other regulatory bodies issue hundreds of recalls annually for everything from children’s toys to power tools. Make it a routine part of your consumer life to check the official CPSC website or sign up for email alerts relevant to the types of products you own regularly. This proactive approach ensures that if a defect is discovered after your purchase, you are among the first to know. Additionally, always retain your receipts and warranty information in a dedicated file. Knowing exactly when and where you bought an item makes the process of obtaining refunds or replacements much smoother if a recall does occur.
Finally, remember that personal protective equipment is only one layer of safety. Proper ergonomic practices, such as lifting heavy objects with your legs rather than your back, and maintaining awareness of your surroundings in industrial environments, complement the protection offered by your gear. No boot can protect you from every possible hazard, so combining high-quality, well-maintained equipment with safe work habits creates the most robust defense against injury. Stay informed, stay curious about the products you use, and never underestimate the value of routine checks.