Safety Boots And Footwear: The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Recent changes to the law in recent years mean that PPE (including safety boots and shoes) is provided by employers at no cost to the employee. But with such an abundance of safety footwear available on the market, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what your workforce needs and which products meet the requirements of the task and employees involved. The sole descriptions vary that range from ‘improving grip and ‘excellent multi-directional slip resistance’. Often, footwear is just described as slip-resistant, but without a description of the conditions to which the shoes are most suitable.

When selecting footwear when you are shopping for footwear, it is essential to consider a variety of factors in addition to slip resistance, such as the comfort, durability and any other safety features required, such as toe protection. The HSE suggests that your decision may need to be a compromise.

Safety footwear – as with all types of PPE – is to be employed as a last resort’ when all other feasible or reasonable measures have been taken to minimize the risk. When choosing safety footwear, you should refer to an assessment of risk that has been conducted recently in the area you’re purchasing it for, or you can take one out if it does not already exist (more on this below).

Navigate around the guide with the help of the hyperlinks below:

– What is safety footwear?

– What are the different types of safety footwear and safety boots classified?

– Different levels of protection

– The right the right safety footwear for your business

– Evaluating safety boot and footwear suppliers/manufacturers

– Meeting the needs of your employees

– Floor surface type

– Maintenance and inspection

– Conclusion

– References

What is safety footwear?

Safety boots and safety footwear has different levels of protection. It is important to ensure the appropriate level of protection according to the risk involved to ensure maximum protection.Injury hazards could include:

– In the event of a collision caused by objects that are heavy result in crushing injuries

– sharp objects – risk of puncturing the sole

– The absorption of certain elements – like water or oil

– Build-up of static electricity

– Extreme temperatures

– When selecting safety footwear, be aware of the followingfactors:

– Check that your footwear is compliant with EN ISO 20345 Standards (see below for more details)

– Material – leather or synthetic

– Indoor or outdoor use

– Temperature – either cold or hot environments

– Weather – sun, snow or rainy conditions

– Dangers – oil as well as chemical use.

– How do safety footwear and safety boots classified?

– Safety footwear is available in a range of kinds and styles, including:

Safety boots: the most common type of safety footwear, incorporating protective toe-caps with many other safety features including slip-resistant soles, penetration-resistant midsole and insulation against extremes of heat and cold.safety boots supplier : like safety boots, these usually have protective steel toe-caps although, as with safety boots, are available ‘metal free’ – so-called composite footwear – which are lighter.

Safety trainers: perhaps considered more attractive by those who wear them These look more casual. Some of them have toe caps made of steel, while others are plastic – referred to as composite or composite cap (as earlier).

Riggers are described as ‘a true stalwart in industrial shoes’4. A rigger boot is an exclusive type of safety boot that is pulled on and the term “rigger” comes from the fact that they were the standard option for workers on offshore oil rigs of the North Sea, but are currently worn by nearly every type of manual workers as a general-purpose work boot. The concerns with this type shoe for safety have been discussed and include a lack ankle support.

Wellingtons: Usually made from rubber and utilized to work in damp conditions they are also used in situations where the shoes need to be cleaned and disinfected to ensure hygiene, eg in the food and chemical industries.

Clogs can also be used to protect your feet. They are generally made of beech wood and may be fitted with steel toe caps and thin rubber soles for quieter tread.

Ladies’ selection of safety footwear for women in a range of designs (boot, shoe, trainer) that include the essential features such as cap for steel shoes, heat-resistant midsoles and oil repellent soles.

For footwear for health conditions (eg diabetes; plantar fasciitis) Please refer to the list below.

Be aware that both suppliers and manufacturers have a key role in ensuring that the right products are in stock and that businesses have the necessary information them to make the best decision.