Although there are multi-purpose safety shoes and boots you may select, in order to reduce exposure to foot injury it’s important to know what risks you will encounter. Safety footwear is so important, the Government of Canada has a publication on the topic called Protect Your Feet!
If you want to learn more, please visit our website T-Safety.
There are specific protection options for particular risks such as:
Most people have heard of or seen the green triangle on safety boots and they feel assured that this indicates they boots have met a standard. But what do all the symbols actually mean? Our website has a Safety Symbol Index to help clarify the symbols and what they indicate.
Comfort should trump style but you shouldn’t have to choose one or the other. With so many safety footwear manufacturers, safety shoes come in athletic, full boot and dress options. It is important to select an option that does not feel uncomfortable especially with the number of hours they may be worn. Here are some considerations:
Perhaps you’ve heard the adage, you get what you pay for. When it comes to safety shoes, depending on the risks you are exposed to, this can certainly apply. Leather can be more breathable than synthetics, the outer sole durability can make a difference to the lifespan of the footwear and insoles that rip and tear can cause pain an discomfort. An educated retail professional will help you select the right boot for your needs and budget! As a general idea, you can expect to pay in the range of $100 to $150 for a safety shoe or athletic style, $100 to $180 for safety boots and in the range of $190-$300 for waterproof safety boots.
We all want to get the most wear we can from our footwear. When does worn footwear increase our risk to injury? Here’s a former Work Authority blog post that covers this issue.
In addition, Shoes.com provides some insight that can help you decide – should they stay or should they go?
Finally, if you aren’t sure what footwear to purchase for your job, ask your employer!
Here are some more resources on this topic:
Having the correct safety boots for your workers is key for comfort and safety. If you buy the right boots for your workforce, they will be able to work at their best and safest - there is nothing worse than having foot discomfort all day.
Each individual has a differently shaped foot, instep, foot arch, foot width, foot length and Gait. When buying safety boots, there is no one size fits all approach - just as you would not buy the same hard hat suspension for each person; it is recommended you have different options for individual wearers.
Let each person choose from designated styles - that are PPE footwear approved to EN ISO : standards - and if the boots are uncomfortable, you may need to purchase an additional pair in another style.
It may seem costly at first, but once each worker has found his or her safety footwear product, you will know from that point forward what to order.
It is absolutely vital to assess workplace risks and decide what you need in your worker’s safety footwear. Once you have identified workplace hazards, consider what type of shoe is needed. Here are some common hazards you should consider:
If your workplace carries any of these risks, you must protect your workers against them with the correct footwear.
Are you interested in learning more about ppe safety shoes? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Here are 5 things you may not necessarily consider when buying safety boots for your work site.
Slips and trips are the most common workplace accidents making up 29% of all non-fatal accidents at work in /19. Make sure that any site safety boots have slip-resistant properties, and appropriate tread.
Anti-Slip standards to look out for are: SRA, SRB and SRC. More on those ratings and what they mean here.
Even though your worker may find his or her favourite trainers more comfortable, if PPE footwear is deemed necessary, nobody should even be entering the work site without compliant safety footwear. A worker cannot legally sign a waiver to wear his or her own footwear; therefore, it is important to find a safety boot that fits the wearer comfortably.
For cold environments, fur lined (or faux fur) is an appreciated feature. Cold and Heat protection may even be primary concerns once you consider the risks of your workplace. You can learn about the applicable safety codes here.
Make sure the materials of the shoe protect against the hazards you have identified. Shoes that are exposed to acids need a rubber compound and optional polymer toe cap, for example.
For many sites, you will need non-metallic safety components in the shoes for light or heavy wear - depending on your needs. Some shoes have anti-static properties and/or heat resistant outsoles. There are different shoe materials to choose from so make sure you know what you need for maximum safety. Again, once you have completed your risk assessment, you can find the relevant footwear safety codes to look out for here.
When buying safety footwear, you want to consider how your workers will use the footwear. A rigger will need different safety footwear than an electrician or a construction worker.
Some workers will need waterproofing, steel toe caps, midsole anti-penetration inserts, and other safety considerations. You may be buying steel capped boots when all you need is non-slip waterproofing. Make sure each boot covers the needs you actually have.
Of course, it is usually better to be overprotected than under-protected, but make sure you are buying safety footwear that is fit for purpose.
Despite the condition of footwear, replace work boots every 6-24 months, especially if there is to be lots of wear and tear. "Cost In Use" should be considered when buying new. For instance, a £30 pair of boots every 6 months would be more expensive than a £60 pair every 2 years.
Each month, have your workers check the tread, uppers, stitching and interior of their boots to see how well they are holding up; replace any defective footwear asap so as not to compromise safety.
As you are no doubt aware by now, XAMAX® is a registered safety supplier with BSiF (click to verify). As such, we only supply EN ISO : compliant safety footwear.
Here are a few of our most popular boots supplied to our construction and engineering customers.
Need safety boots, PPE or other workwear for your company? XAMAX® can offer advice on the safety issues that matter.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website soundproof earmuffs.