Safety Shoes

Safety shoes are those protective footwear that helps prevent a person’s feet from possible risks in the workplace. PPE is a kind of safety and health protection for the worker who involves people working in construction, manufacturing industries, as well as in the healthcare sectors.

Importance of Safety Shoes

Safety shoes are one of the most important elements to prevent workplace injuries and deaths. In a year, ILO reported that more than 340 million occupational accidents occur, causing up to more than 2.3 million deaths. In minimizing workplace injuries and deaths, safety shoes create a barrier to separate your feet from hazardous substances, objects, and environments.

Types of Safety Shoes

Steel Toe Safety Shoes

The most common safety shoe is the steel toe type. It has steel caps for its toe area, which protects the feet from heavy objects and compression. This will do great for those persons working in construction, manufacturing, or for any individual who requires moving heavy stuff around in the warehouse.

Composite Toe Safety Shoes

Composite toe safety shoes are made of non-metallic materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, or plastic. They are lighter and more comfortable than the steel toe safety shoe and offer the same protection. Composite toe safety shoes will be ideal for workers who operate in industries with metal detectors.

Slip-Resistant Safety Shoes

Slip-resistant safety shoes provide a sole of traction for slippery surfaces. They are offered mainly to workers in food processing, healthcare, and hospitality industries.

Features of Safety Shoes

Protection from Hazards

Safety shoes protect the wearer against diversified hazards, including heavy objects, sharp edges, hot surfaces, and electrical hazards. Safety shoes are designed to resist extreme temperature, chemicals, or any hazardous substance.

Comfort and Durability

Safety shoes ensure that the wearer feels comfortable and will definitely last very long. The quality with which they are constructed is of a very high standard, cushioning, support, and flexibility. The best thing about safety shoes is how it can withstand every single situation related to wear and tear without breaking.

Breathability and Water Resistance

Safety shoes actually are breathable and water resistant. They can facilitate air blowing around the feet to keep them cool and dry. This is a very important aspect for many who find themselves working wet or in moist conditions.

Benefits of Safety Shoes

Protection from Injuries

Safety shoes prevent lots of the injuries such as crushed toes, broken bones, and body lacerations. Moreover, they prevent long-term health issues which include arthritis and nerve damage.

Compliance with Standards

There are numerous industries where the usage of safety shoes is legally enforced. In this regard, employers will be in a position to satisfactorily fulfill legal requirements, and in doing so, avoid fines and penalties that arise from not wearing safety shoes.

Productivity

Safety shoes can engender high productivity because the possibility of injuries and downtime is minimized. Safety shoe-clad employees can focus on their respective duties without distraction, and anxiety for safety does not cross their minds.

How to Select the Right Safety Shoes-Assessing Workplace Hazards

Before choosing safety shoes, assess the types of workplace hazards present. Identify the types of hazards existing in that given workplace and choose safety shoes that will provide protection against such kinds of hazards.

Choosing the Right Material

Safety shoes are made from a variety of materials ranging from leather, synthetic materials, and rubber. While choosing ensure to pick a safety shoe with appropriate material to give the right protection and comfort.

Considering Personal Preferences

There is a need to consider comfort, style, fit and any other preference a person may have when settling on a particular safety shoe. Besides, safety shoes are designed in various styles and designs. One should, therefore, settle for a particular one that meets their needs and preferences.

Maintenance and Care

Cleaning and Storage

There is a need to clean and store safety shoes because they will last longer when quality is maintained. Cleaning can be done on mild soap and water. Let the shoe dry in a dry area afterward.

Personal protective equipment or safety shoes

Personal protective equipment, or safety shoes, are also part of many employees’ kits that can surely reduce incidences of injuries and deaths in work environments. There are several types of safety shoes, and some of them comprise, for instance, a steel toe, composite toe, and slip-resistant safety shoes, on top of which workers can opt for the right ones suitable for their conditions.