Safety shoes or protective safety footwear is an important Personal Protective Equipment that is used to ensure safe and healthy feet in the workplace. Steel toe boots and safety shoes help in protecting feet helps to prevent injuries to the feet and reduce the severity of injuries that may happen in the workplace. Safety footwear should be comfortable and flexible to wear and should provide necessary protection for your feet from injuries. Employees should ensure the use of protective shoes when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects or a situation where feet are exposed to electrical hazards. The best level of protection in your work environment is ensured by protective or safety footwear.
There are many instances where the foot and toes would be at risk while at work. Falling and rolling objects or cuts and punctures are a serious case of concern in many workplaces. Proper safety footwear can prevent unnecessary accidents in the workplace. It is a simple precautionary method of keeping yourself safe and healthy. Protective footwear is to be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition and should aid in the protection of your foot against injuries.
Advantages of wearing safety shoes at workplace
- Protects you from falling and flying objects
- Protects you from punctures or cutting hazards
- Protects you from electrical hazards
- Prevents from slipping, tripping or falling
- Prevents you from getting fatigued
- Protects feet from extreme weather
Safety boots protect your feet from work hazards and keep you comfortable during a long day’s work. Complete protection at your workplace is ensured by wearing the right pair of safety shoes. There are mainly 5 different types of safety shoes available to meet the needs of different job roles.
Safety-toed shoes are ideal for a workplace where your toes are at risk. Safety-toed shoes are made of steel, alloy, or non-metallic toe caps which cover your toe area and prevent you from getting hurt or damaged.
Steel insole shoes are designed to protect you from joint problems. These types of shoes help in keeping your foot stabilized, preventing bone and joint problems.
Metal instep footwear is ideal for those who work in industrial factories as it is mainly designed to protect your feet from pointed and sharp objects such as glasses, nails, etc.
Metatarsal shoes are designed mainly to protect the upper part of your bones and feet. These types of shoes are ideal for working at construction sites. Both externally and internally they protect your feet and toe.
Electric hazard shoes are specially designed for those who work with electricity, high voltage machines, circuits, and wiring related works. When you are exposed to electricity and high voltage circuits, these shoes ensure safety by reducing your potential to receive an electric shock.
Safety Basic [SB] is the basic standard for safety footwear and must have toe protection that can withstand a 200-joule impact.
Other standards include
SBP – is the same as the basic standard for safety footwear but includes a midsole plate made of steel or composite material, which helps in protecting foot against penetration.
S1 – this footwear is anti-static, resistant to fuel oil, and features energy absorption at the heel.
S1P – is the same as S1 footwear but contains a steel or composite plate in Mid-Sole.
S2 – has all the aspects of S1 footwear but includes prevention of water absorption for upper.
S3 – same safety elements as in S2 grade but includes a penetration resistant midsole.
S4 – these types of shoes are completely waterproof and leak-proof as it is made of polymer or rubber.
S5 – same safety elements as in S4, includes midsole penetration resistance.
Safety shoes with compression protection should be worn when handling heavy materials, which could be dropped or where objects may fall or roll onto the worker’s foot. You should use an anti-static or Fuel/oil resistant footwear when working with fuels or inflammable. When working with heat hazards you should need an HRO boot. If you know the risks of your job, you should prepare for them with safety work and PPE provided by your organization. Safety footwear is worn for a variety of reasons, including motorcycle riding, restaurant work, construction, and other industries where there is a risk of danger. When buying safety footwear, your first goal should always be safety. PPE is your best friend in the workplace.
