Safety boots are Personal Protective Equipment – essential and mandatory PPE to protect feet, toes, and heels against work-related accidents is already known to most entrepreneurs and workers worldwide. So why not take a step further and check out our tips for choosing the ideal safety boot or best waterproof work boots? Good reading!
Tip 1 – Identify The Risks
Safety boots are indicated for professional activities in the most diverse activity segments, but mainly in the industrial, civil construction, and agricultural sectors. And to identify the risks that can cause foot injuries, the tip is to analyze the worker in his work context and create a matrix with all the activities he performs daily according to the possible hazards foreseen within each activity.
To start, ask yourself some questions, such as: does
the activity performed by the worker pose any danger to the health and safety of your feet? Which ones are they? How can we avoid it?
Tip 2 – Know The Main Items That Makeup Safety Boots
After mapping the activities carried out by the worker and what are the main dangers to the feet that he may face on his journey, it is time to get to know better the parts that give shape, function, and comfort to safety boots.
Upper
The upper part of the shoe covering and protecting the foot is called the upper. It can be produced with different materials according to the need for protection and safety against falling objects, perforations, and moisture, among others. The upper made of PVC, for example, is suitable for those who work in damp places or contact with chemical products.
toe
Attached to the front of the boot, the toe cap offers high impact resistance and mainly protects against crushing caused by objects. According to the worker’s need for protection and safety, it can be produced in steel or composite (high-density plastics). Both are indicated to add resistance to PPE; however, the composite is even lighter than steel and resistant to electric shocks.
Sole
At the base of the boot, the sole is responsible for maintaining the worker’s stability in carrying out his tasks and protecting him from impacts, with maximum safety against shocks, cuts, and slips, among other types of risks. Check the technology used to manufacture the sole, its thickness, and the insole types available for better hygiene and greater comfort.
According to the type of activity, it is also essential to check the lining (lining of the inner part of the boot) to ensure the most suitable choice, as it can, for example, guarantee the heating of the feet in colder environments.
Tip 3 – Pay Attention To These Points
Types of Floor
During the analysis, it is essential to highlight the risks that the type of floor offers to the worker daily. After all, they can indicate, for example, the need to choose PPE with a thicker or thinner sole, a non-slip or energy-absorbing sole on the heel, a waterproof upper, a special lining, and a higher upper. Or lower.
Quality of Protection
The safety boot must also have a high quality of protection, with a design that encourages use and favors the best fit to the feet to avoid blisters, ulcers, friction, and bruises. After all, the purpose of the PPE is to ensure stability, comfort, and safety for the worker in carrying out his activity.
Hygiene and maintenance
Foot safety also involves the correct hygiene and maintenance of safety boots. The easier and more practical, the better for those who buy and for those who will use the PPE. Therefore, check that the products comply with the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines and follow the standards.
