the flip flop thing is a funny one in this part of the world. If you walk past a construction site, which isn't tough to do where I live since they are everywhere, there will be signs outside that you expect and is likely required on work sites explaining the safety requirements. But if you peek through the fence you will see almost no one adhering to these supposed requirements.

If it was me, I would actually want protective shoes. I dont get the hardhat for a guy working on the roof, but he is walking around rebar and uneven surfaces doing that work in the pic. That would be murder on the feet I would imagine.