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What are Safety Shoes and When Do You Need Them?

August 06 , by Ed Stone, 6 min reading time

Prior to the 20th century, it was significantly cheaper to replace an employed worker than to implement safety measures. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution came a massive influx of workers and companies that depended on these new measures to complete daily functions successfully. It also introduced workers&#; unions and safety requirements we still have today. Thanks to these safety standards, workers in construction, transportation, manufacturing, and even food and retail are required to wear a comfortable safety shoe daily. Currently, Safety shoes and work safety boots are available in a variety of styles including women's safety boots and men's steel toe shoes, slip-on work boots, lace ups, steel toe, composite toe work shoes, moc toe and safety sneakers. In this article, we will explain where this proper footwear started, what makes a safety shoe, and the different types of safety shoes and why they are worn.

Why worry about workers&#; footwear?

When you think of work injuries, foot injuries may not be high on your list of worries, but they are more common than you&#;d think. At least 60,000 foot injuries lead to missed workdays every year. The cost of this to companies can reach over $950 million dollars. When you measure the cost of these injuries with the cost of requiring your workers to wear some form of safety work boot, you can see the savings.

Origin of safety shoes

With an understanding of the reasons behind requiring safety shoes in any given work environment, you may be curious about the origins of the safety work boot concept. The first protective shoe that employed workers wore were called Sabots. These had a simple, hollowed-out wooden shoe design that kept French and British farmers&#; feet safe from falling objects.This was a common footwear choice until the Industrial Revolution when workers started throwing Sabots into machinery to stop production during protests.

In the s, industrial workplace safety issues were beginning to be addressed, and the Red Wing Shoes Company started to make a steel toe boot in Germany for workers and military officers not commissioned in wartime. Safety issues continued to take precedence after the war. In the s, the United States Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure safe and healthy work conditions for employees. This act included the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce standards relating to workers&#; safety.

What qualifies as Safety Footwear?

Leading up to today&#;s modern safety footwear, men's and women's safety shoes were designed with only a safety toe. These were historically steel, but eventually included Aluminum Alloy, Composite Materials, and Carbon Fiber toe shoes. These composite toe vs steel toe shoes were examined and tested to follow standards set in place by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). As time went on, foot protection grew to mean protecting your toes, ankles, and feet from hazard and injury. This led to safety boot standards being newly regulated by the American Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM), with areas of concern growing to include falling objects, stepping on sharp objects, heat and cold, wet and slippery surfaces, and exposure to corrosive chemicals. As many job sites contain risks of slipping and falling due to slick surfaces, we offer a broad collection of slip-resistant protective shoe options for men and women to help mitigate the chances of foot injury.

OSHA and ASTM standards now cover performance requirements, testing standards, and standard labeling. As every work environment is different, the responsibility to require specific safety shoes falls on employers. OSHA requires employers to assess the workplace to determine hazards that may necessitate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Failure to comply with OSHA requirements can result in thousands of dollars of fines.

Different types of safety shoes and why they&#;re worn for added foot protection

According to OSHA standard .132 (d)(1), employers must assess the workplace to determine if hazards necessitate PPE. Protective footwear must be used when employees are in danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, objects piercing the sole, or where employees' feet are exposed to electrical hazards according to OSHA standard 29CFR .156 (a).

The following footwear performance requirements are addressed in the ASTM F standard:

• Impact and Compression resistance doesn&#;t require a steel toe boot, but a protective toe cap has to be a permanent part of the shoe or safety boot to protect the foot from falling objects or crushing from heavy rolling objects.
• Metatarsal protection reduces the chance of injury to the top of the foot. Proper footwear should be designed to cover the toe and the metatarsal bone area between the ankle and toes.
• Electric Shock resistance: An EH rated shoe protects the wearer from shock when standing during an application of 18,000 volts at 60 hertz for one minute with no current flow or leakage in excess of 3 milliamperes under dry conditions.
• Puncture/Penetration resistance requires a permanent plate to be positioned between the insole and outsole of the safety footwear to resist penetration from sharp objects like nails and glass.
• Chainsaw cut resistance protects the foot between the toe and lower leg when operating a chainsaw.
• Static Dissipative rates the shoe&#;s ability to safely conduct any buildup of static electricity through the sole and into the floor.
• Dielectric insulation footwear is designed to provide insulation if accidental contact is made with conductors or circuits.

The responsibility for protective footwear lies mainly with the employer, but employees should be informed about their safety shoe options and when safety shoes are required. We hope this article helped explain the history and reasons for protective safety shoes and what types of shoes there are available.

At Boot World, we offer several brands and styles like men&#;s Caterpillar work boots and CAT women&#;s work boot styles along with Wolverine work boots, Timberland PRO boots, and KEEN Utility boots. Have more questions about safety footwear? Visit one of Boot Word&#;s locations today to get expert advice and input!

Reviewed By:

Ed Stone brings over 45 years of footwear knowledge and passion to his role as President of Boot World, a family-owned company and an industry leader in safety and occupational footwear. A second generation "shoe dog&#; Ed's footwear knowledge is unparalleled, serving as an informal advisor for some of the worlds largest footwear brands including Wolverine, Timberland PRO, and Reebok Works.

A lifelong Southern California resident, and ardent conservationist, Ed enjoys hiking and open water swimming.

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Safety workwear is an essential part of the working life of many people and industries, and a good pair of safety boots can be one of the most important aspects of safety at work. Particularly on construction sites, or for anyone operating in warehouses or environments where machinery is frequently used, safety boots provide protection against injury, as well as comfort whilst working on your feet all day. 

To assist you in selecting an appropriate safety boot, we will discuss the following:

Why are Safety Boots So Important?

Specifically designed safety boots, with the necessary safety features built-in for both comfort and injury prevention, are key to being able to do your job safely and comfortably, normal everyday boots won&#;t do the job. Accidents do happen, so if you&#;re wearing the right safety boots for the job then injury can still be prevented if they occur.

Prevention Of Injury 

The number one reason for workers to be wearing safety boots is injury prevention. Safety shoes offer protection from punctures, cuts, burns, heavy impact and more. Safety boots also offer grip when walking on slippery or uneven surfaces, helping to prevent slips and falls which can lead to more serious problems such as broken bones and head injuries.

To Comply With Safety Laws

Safety at work should be a priority for any employer, especially in environments that pose a number of hazards to workers that can lead to foot injuries. Health and safety law requires employees to wear safety footwear where there is a real risk of injury, and employers need to comply with this. 

Prevention of Fatigue 

Comfort is an important element of Health & Safety at work when it comes to safety boots as if your footwear isn&#;t comfortable it becomes more likely to cause injury or lead to accidents. When you&#;re on your feet the last thing you want is a heavy and uncomfortable pair of boots tiring out your legs and feet. 

Wearing a comfortable, well-fitting and supportive pair of lightweight safety boots can help to prevent fatigue and keep your feet happy throughout the day. The overall weight of the boots can impact fatigue on the feet and legs &#; the heavier the boots the greater chance of fatigue.

There&#;s a common misconception that heavy boots are more durable, but this is not necessarily the case. Safety boots made from raw materials are extremely durable, and therefore lightweight safety boots are more comfortable. 

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Different Types of Safety Boots 

Working environments can be vastly different from each other, so in order to get the best from your safety boots it is vital that you get an appropriate pair for the job you are doing and the environment in which you are working. The types of safety boots can therefore vary greatly too, and it&#;s essential that workers select the correct safety footwear for the specific working environment and features that they offer.

Safe-toe boots are a type of protective footwear that provides protection from a number of hazards. This type of toe footwear is extremely durable and helps keep your feet safe and sound throughout the working day. 

The safety boots&#; steel toe protects your toes from being crushed by falling, very heavy objects or materials, such as concrete, metal or wood. 

Our Lightweight Platform Safety Boots are lightweight, waterproof and extremely reliable, perfect for those who are after comfort and practicality whilst at work. 

Puncture-resistant, steel insole boots offer enhanced safety, comfort and protection to the bottom of your feet. 

Steel insole boots offer high protection from &#;sharps&#;, so these are a must for those working in environments where there&#;s a risk of stepping on sharp objects. Steel insole boots can also help to align the skeletal structure to reduce foot, leg and lower-back fatigue.

The Grisport Workmate Safety Boot has a flexible, jointed midsole design making it great for workmen who have to work at low levels regularly such as plumbers. These kinds of professions require work boots that have a sole that will bend, whilst still giving protection from sharp, obstructive objects.

Insulator Boots

If workers are in an environment where there are electric currents, or if a build-up of static electricity is common, insulator safety shoes are required that offer protection from electrical shock. These safety boots are made from non-conductive materials such as leather or rubber so as to prevent the chances of experiencing an electric shock.

The Grisport Thermo Safety Shoe is a lightweight safety trainer for functionality in a multitude of work environments.

Other features safety boots have to prevent injuries

While safety boots fit into the above categories, they can also have additional features that give an extra layer of protection.

Steel Midsole

A safety boot with a steel midsole protects the sole of your foot in the event that you step on something sharp such as a nail or even broken glass. Much like a steel top cap, steel midsoles safety boots are an essential feature in protecting your feet from all potential on-ground or unintentional hazards.

The Grisport Contractor Brown Safety Boot comes with an anti-perforation steel midsole and a comfortable insole, making it feel less like a safety boot while still providing the necessary protection. It has a safety rating of S3 safety level, ensuring adequate protection within the workplace.

Grip

The risk of slipping or falling in a work environment can be increased depending on the conditions.  There are many different factors that could result in a slippery surface &#; spilt liquids, a burst water pipe, polished floors or even just rain! Having a pair of safety work boots with slip-proof grips is essential to prevent the risk of falling.

Grisport&#;s Combat Safety Boot is anti-slip which helps to prevent any unwanted injuries from occurring. As well as the sole being anti-slip, it is also grease resistant, heatproof and self-cleaning.

Support

For working environments that require heavy lifting, such as construction or trade, workers may require boots that offer extra support for their ankles. Packed with additional safety features, such as shockproof and slip-resistant soles, our safety ankle boots are designed with your safety in mind.

Work safety boots with ankle support are one of the best features to add comfort to your safety boots, as well as prevent injuries.

Grisport Safety Boots

Grisport safety boots are designed to withstand everything your job can throw at them, all while maintaining incredible comfort and support. We offer a wide wide range of work safety shoes such as; steel toe cap boots, steel mid-sole boots sole and slip-on safety boots.

For more information or tips on safety boots, and which safety boots are best for you, then take a look at the range of Grisport safety boots here.

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