Five Questions to ask before buying safety footwear

We answer some of those questions you may have been faced with when having to choose safety footwear.

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We all like to know we’re making the right choice when it comes to purchasing any form of footwear, but for anyone whose job relies on having their feet safe and always protected, functionality is an essential element.

While any footwear certified in accordance with safety standards is obviously your first jumping off point with safety footwear, there’s always other requirements and preferences that lead to the decision-making process.

Below are some questions you may - or may not - have thought about when faced with having to choose safety footwear.

Is it okay to wear rigger boots on a construction site?

Once the domain of offshore oil rig workers, regardless of what you may have heard, rigger boots haven’t been banned by the HSE. There’s no concrete evidence available that rigger boots have be directly at fault in any work-based incidents. 

However, some construction companies have deemed that due to the loose-fitting style - ironically the USP which offers a lifeline to oil riggers surrounded by nothing but ocean - the boots could run the risk of causing foot and ankle injury.

The popularity of rigger boots as a general-purpose work boot is largely down to two obvious benefits – comfort and cost. The very nature of the style means they’re easy to slip-on and pull-off, with no laces to trip over. The boots’ faux fur lining is incredibly enticing to workers, particularly on those cold, gloomy months where the prospect of feet being kept warm and cosy is undeniably a much-needed morale boost. 

Affordability-wise, your average pair of riggers won’t break the bank and offers an appealing alternative for those who have been offered the kind of shoe allowance from their employer which doesn’t stretch to some of the more expensive lace-up boots on the market.

Additionally, alongside steel toe caps, Blackrock riggers offer the additional security of a protective midsole, making this form of safety footwear a functional and aesthetic choice for many.

Is comfort compromised when wearing safety footwear?

The reality is that safety and comfort should go hand-in-hand with workwear. The nature of this type of footwear means the wearer will be largely active throughout the life of the product. This means that comfort is an integral part of the design process. 

Poorly fitting footwear isn’t just uncomfortable. It can cause a whole range of foot issues such as blisters, toenail damages and plantar fasciitis, the likes of which may ultimately impact upon the wearer ability to do their job properly. 

You’ll find a large variety of fully waterproof products in our collection, which are applicable for all industries.

For those roles which require prolonged standing and walking - such as a warehouse operative – we have safety shoes which include EaziStep padded and breathable insoles which offer that much-needed comfort.

But like any other new footwear, there’s the usual means of ensuring any initial discomfort is avoided. It won’t harm you to put a little time before your first day on the job in conditioning your shoes to bend and stretch with you as you walk.

How safe am I from slipping with slip resistant footwear?

According to the /22 HSE Workplace Health and Safety Report, slips, trips or falls accounted for 30% of all workplace injuries – a slight rise from the previous year’s reporting. This form of non-fatal injury is by some distance the most common in the workplace, which only emphasises the importance that the PPE offered in this area is up to the demands of lessening such a risk. 

The HSE has developed a GRIP rating scheme with the purpose of allowing footwear users to identify suitable slip resistant footwear as a control measure to reduce their risk of slipping accidents.

This has been at the forefront of Blackrock’s footwear design during our recent product development process, hence why it was particularly gratifying for us to achieve a 4-star GRIP rating. 

Our HexaGrip sole is available in the occupational footwear range we sell (more on this below) and features hundreds of small hexagons. It’s a shape which is often considered strong and efficient as it can distribute stress evenly across its structure and presents a large surface area which is vital for effective grip, thus reducing the chances of slipping. 

What is the difference between safety footwear and occupational footwear?

First things first, it’s prudent to note that occupational footwear adheres to the requirements in the EN standard, rather than the EN safety standard. 

Although the difference between both standards is largely down to the exclusion of a steel toe cap in occupational footwear, there’s other benefits to Blackrock’s occupational footwear which could ultimately be instrumental in your decision-making. One of these may be particularly appealing to those who work in the emergency services.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These are often transmitted by pre-used needles or other sharps puncturing the skin and any other accidental punctures, cuts or abrasions.

This kind of occupational footwear is a huge benefit for hospital staff and paramedics who are most likely to encounter blood spills at work. Whilst the probability of other emergency services encountering blood spills is lower, the repercussions of infection can obviously be huge.

What’s more, our full occupational footwear range is bloodborne pathogen resistant so why wouldn’t you protect yourself against this potential hazard?

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What other protection is available through occupational footwear?

Occupational footwear is associated largely with the police force, where protection and performance are two of the major requirements in the ability to maintain public safety. Blackrock's own range features a metal-free, penetration-resistant midsole, which comes as standard in all seven styles – a huge selling point for those in the force.

However, the demands of a paramedic are such that they certainly require extra stability when it comes to that the fast-paced, high-pressured daily challenges of working in that environment. 

But it’s not just paramedics who are constantly using on and off their feet - delivery drivers, postal service and those in the transport sector need that security and sturdiness. 

The performance gained by wearing occupational footwear in those industries outside of law enforcement not only ensures that individuals can perform their job to the best of their ability, but the protective characteristics of occupational footwear can also offer additional peace of mind for wearers.

We all want to make sure we're making the right call when buying shoes, but if your job depends on keeping your feet safe and sound, functionality is the name of the game.

Of course, having safety-certified footwear is a must, but there are other things to think about, too. Here are some questions you might've pondered (or not) when picking out your safety shoes from Yaffy's footwear range.

Are safety shoes comfortable?

Well, the truth is, safety and comfort should both be a must. When it comes to safety shoes, they're designed to keep you comfy while you're on the move, throughout the whole lifespan of the shoe. 

You see, when you're wearing safety footwear, you're usually on your feet a lot. So, they've got to be cozy from the get-go. Wearing shoes that don't fit right isn't just a pain in the foot, it can lead to all sorts of trouble like blisters, messed-up toenails, and even that fancy-sounding plantar fasciitis, which can seriously cramp your work style.

Now, we've got a bunch of waterproof options in the Yaffy safety footwear range that'll keep your feet dry, no matter what you're doing. And if you're one of those folks who spend hours standing and strolling around, like our blue light community, including Blackrock safety shoes with EaziStep insoles. Trust us, those insoles are like a little pillow for your feet.

But here's the deal, breaking in new shoes is kinda like breaking in a new pet. You've got to give them a bit of time before the big day on the job. Walk around a bit, let them get to know your feet. It'll be worth it!

Are slip resistant shoes considered PPE?

Yes, slip resistance is considered a basic requirement of all PPE footwear. 

The /22 HSE Workplace Health and Safety Report has got some eye-opening stats. Slips, trips, and falls made up a whopping 30% of all workplace injuries. That's a little jump from the previous year. This kind of non-fatal mishap is the top dog when it comes to workplace accidents, and that's why having top-notch PPE and safety footwear in this department is a big deal.

Now, the HSE (that's the Health and Safety Executive, by the way) came up with a nifty rating system called GRIP. It's like a guide to finding the right slip-resistant shoes to keep you from turning into a cartoon character on a banana peel.

Yaffy's footwear range includes Blackrock, who have been all about that GRIP. In fact, Blackrock have been awarded a 4-star GRIP rating. Their secret sauce? The HexaGrip sole. It's got a bunch of tiny hexagons all over it. Now, hexagons are like the superheroes of shapes – strong, efficient, and great at spreading out the pressure. That means you'll have some serious traction, and you won't be doing any unexpected slip 'n' slides at work.

Whats the difference between safety shoes and occupational shoes?

Let's get right to it: when it comes to occupational footwear, we're talking about EN standards, not the heavy-duty EN safety ones. The main difference? No steel toe cap in the occupational shoes.

But there's more to Yaffy's footwear range than that. We've got some styles and suppliers with features that might make a real difference, especially if you're in the emergency services industry.

Ever heard of bloodborne pathogens? They're nasty bugs you can find in human blood that can make you sick. You can get them from things like used needles or sharp things poking your skin, or even just cuts and scrapes.

Now, if you work in a hospital or ride the ambulance, you're probably no stranger to blood spills. But even for other emergency service personnel, the risk is there. That's where some styles in our footwear range come in, like the Blackrock Semtinel Composite Boot, the Defender Compsoite Boot, Tactical Officer Shoe and the Tactical Commander Boot. They're bloodborne pathogen resistant. It's like having a shield against those germs. So why not give yourself that extra layer of protection?

Who needs protective footwear?

Occupational and protective footwear isn't just for the police force, although they definitely need it to perform at their best and maintain public safety. Check out the Blackrock Sentinel Composite Boot, part of the Yaffy range - it's metal-free, and has a tough-as-nails midsole, which is a big win for our law enforcement community.

Now, let's talk about paramedics. They're in a league of their own when it comes to fast-paced, high-pressure challenges. They need extra stability, no doubt about it.

But it's not just paramedics who are on their feet all day. Think about delivery drivers, postal workers, and people in the transport business. They need that solid foundation.

Wearing technical shoes in these industries isn't just about getting the job done right. It's also like having a protective shield for your feet, giving you some extra peace of mind.

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Conquer your day with confidence and comfort