Safety Footwear

Workers are much more confident when they know they have the right safety footwear, and it sends a clear message about an organisation’s commitment to health and safety. With a large variety to choose from, it’s easy to find something that meets your workplace requirements and fits in with the impression you want to create. As well as footwear for heavy industrial locations, we have items like shoe and boot covers which can be useful when you need to keep areas sterile or when you simply want to avoid bringing dirt indoors. All these products meet industry standards and can improve safety if they are properly used.

Buyers’ guide                                                                    

Choosing the right safety footwear is about balancing several factors: protection, comfort and style.

Different shoes and boots provide different types of protection, so check carefully before you buy. Any thick piece of leather will help to protect against impact damage but reinforced toes are needed to protect feet from heavy objects. Soles can protect against heat, oil damage, and different kinds of chemical spill, but not all soles will protect you against all of these. Slip-resistant soles can be surprisingly thin, so if that’s your main priority, you may find that you have more options to choose from than you expected.

Footwear cannot be considered safe if it causes blisters and is uncomfortable to wear, so it’s important to make sure that it’s the right size and a comfortable fit. Ideally, heavy boots should be broken in slowly so that they soften without causing injury. If workers are getting blisters on the soles of their feet or feeling sore after a lot of standing or walking, padded insoles can provide extra comfort.

Working in an industrial environment doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to look smart, and much of the safety footwear available today is designed to convey a professional image as part of a uniform. Shoes and boots should always be well polished as this keeps the leather in good condition and prevents it from cracking. Because female employees may be unhappy about wearing bulky footwear, there are smart, fashionable women’s shoe designs available with protective, non-slip soles.

FAQs

What’s the difference between industrial trainers or wellingtons and ordinary ones?

Safety footwear is designed to be as resilient as possible so is made of higher quality, thicker materials.

How should I look after safety footwear?

Most of these products can be treated with the same cleaning products and polishes as any other form of footwear made from similar materials.

Is safety footwear mandatory?

Footwear like this is considered part of mandatory safety equipment in some industries. You will need to consult your industry specific regulations to find out if this applies to you.