Working in unsafe environments calls for protection of the worker’s. This includes his/her feet. Safety shoes are made specifically to protect our feet from hazards in the workplace. This article talks about the various types of safety shoes on the market, and their specific purposes.
Safety boots come in many types, according to the type of work. These shoes are made to handle tough working environments. If you’re looking for a guide on the types of safety shoes for your work, read on and you’ll get what you’re looking for.
Safety toed
These shoes have a metallic cap on the front of the shoe. They are also called steel toed shoes. The metal cap’s purpose is to protect toes against falling objects and protect against cuts, and punctures. This shoe is commonly found in areas dealing with metals and heavy object industries.
Steel insoles
Steel insole safety shoes are made for environments where the foot is constantly moving and adjusting position. They have steel insoles in place of the gel or foam, ones that are usually found in shoes. They are made in such a way that the foot is stabilized when working. They also protect and support the foot.
Having safety shoes for such conditions is usually advisable since if a pair is spoilt, the other two can replace them. A majority of these types of shoes are usually found in industries involving driving, heavy duty trucks, a lot of bicycle riding and pedals.
Electric hazard
These shoes are made for high voltage or electric environments. They have non-conductive soles and heels to prevent electricity from flowing into the user’s feet and electrocuting him. For such jobs, a lot of precaution should be taken even when choosing an electric hazard shoe, since a poor shoe in such an environment would easily cause death.
Metal instep
These protect your feet when walking on sharp objects like nails and broken shards of sharp objects.
Standards
Protective equipment always comes with quality control standards to make sure the product offers the protection specified. The institution mandated to carry out tests and approve the safety of protective equipment in the USA is called the American Institution of Testing and Materials. They have guidelines stipulating standards safety shoes should meet. If a safety shoes complies to the standards, it has a code showing this.
The code is usually in the following format:
ASTM F1526-20
W/I/C
CD
The first line outlines which ASTM standard it follows. The last number is the most important as it shows the year it follows. For instance, the number above shows that the shoe follows the 2020 guidelines, which are the latest.
Conclusion
If you’re in a working environment with dangerous conditions, your best investment would be buying good safety shoes that you’re sure will protect your feet from injury. These shoes might be expensive, but nothing can be more expensive than your health. Such a shoe guarantees safety and is a necessity in such kinds of conditions. Despite all these specifications, also make sure that your shoes are comfortable since wearing uncomfortable shoes can also cause injury.
