Many companies are increasingly being tasked with assuring their workers’ safety while on the job. Some have made safety shoes and other safety wears readily available and compulsory. Others have rules mandating their workers to always wear safety paraphernalia. If the onus of getting your safety shoes fall on you, then the question “how do I choose safety shoes?” is likely on your mind.
We completely understand how choosing one or two safety shoes from the sea of available shoes, can be confusing. We’ve done all the work for you! This post should help you in making the right decision for your feet. Come with us!
Related: Which safety shoes are the most comfortable?
Factors to consider when you choose safety shoes
Picking random safety shoes off the shelf could be counterproductive. A safety boot that works perfectly for Miss A may be terrible for Miss B. There are factors to be considered before making a choice.
We’ve decided to group these factors into :
- Workplace factors.
- Safety shoe ratings and.
- Personal factors.
Workplace factors to consider when you choose safety shoes
Workplaces differ! Even companies within the same industry can have varying environments or work conditions. Specific industries also require specific kinds of safety shoes.
The prominent factors to consider are the hazards specific to your workplace. Therefore, you should choose safety shoes that are particularly made to overcome your workplace hazards.
Workplaces that are predominantly susceptible to electrocution
For this kind of workplace, choose safety shoes made with proper high-grade insulator materials. In particular, high-grade rubber boots with an extended upper or ankle guard/ shaft will be perfect. This will do well to protect personnel from sources of contact or exposure to an electric field. For electrical jobs that also require climbing, the boots have to be lightweight and flexible. Flexibility goes a long way to address the difficulty in climbing and as such prevent accidental falls and other threats posed by heights.
Workplaces where chemicals or corrosive substances either liquid or solid form are handled
Elastomers and other forms of plastics offer high resistance to corrosive attacks from chemicals such as strong bases and weak acids. So to both protect the feet and enhance comfort while performing tasks in such workplaces, total rubber safety boots are recommended. Also, flexible and lightweight rubber boots will facilitate movement in the advent of poisonous chemical spills and possible explosions.
Workplaces prone to spills
Here, the selection of a safety shoe will be based on slip-resistant outsoles. A safety shoe with a good grip will also serve well. This will prevent falls and slippage due to water, oil, or other spills. Sometimes, minor slips may occur until you break into the shoe.
Workplaces with high sources of heat or elevated/subzero temperature zones
People who work in places with furnaces or cryogenic units need special protection. Their feet have to be protected to forestall burns or frostbite. Therefore, properly insulated safety shoes or those made with very thick leather will be required.
Additionally, the boot shafts/upper must be tall enough to cover the entire shin and calf regions of the leg. It is also important to select a boot with a thick enough outsole and reinforced rubber or composite material. This is because they exhibit high resistance to very high and sub-zero temperatures. The insole and midsole must be well padded so as to provide additional comfort.
Workplaces that expose personnel to hard surfaces and places where heavy machines/ materials are handled
These include places with mines or metal-based platforms and persons who handle cutting tools or are involved in the storage of heavy machinery or materials. The exposure of safety shoes to cutting tools or debris from cut materials, impact from heavy materials, and rocky surfaces must be considered. Hard floors or platforms contribute to the rapid deterioration of safety boot soles. In this case, heavily reinforced boots must be chosen, to withstand the impact and compressive stresses that are commonly experienced in this work zone.
Furthermore, a well-reinforced hardcore-capped boot is required. The flexibility of the insole pads also matters. They help to avoid the formation of blisters on the feet. The toe region must be well spaced out, to allow free movement of the toes.
Safety shoe standards
Your preferred safety shoe must meet all safety standards and probably surpass them. The two major safety footwear standards are ASTM 2413 & EN ISO 20345. This overview by Safety Jogger will help you understand the standards better.
Note: There is a significant difference between safety shoes and work and protective shoes. While safety shoes have toe capping that is 200 Joules impact-resistant, work shoes have no toe capping and protective shoes have toe capping of 100 Joules.
Personal factors to consider when you choose safety shoes
Now that you have workplace factors sorted out, let’s go further! We all have different feet. Yours may be slender and long while another’s is wide and small. The factors to be considered go beyond size. We’ve highlighted the major points for you.
Size
Size matters! Before you make that order, be sure you are choosing the right size. Some shoes have sizes that are true to fit and others don’t. If you are buying from online stores, it will be wise to check reviews that border on size. Also, you may chat with the merchant to get your true sizing.
You can give a little room for extra comfort but not too much. Test your new safety shoes at the time your feet are swollen i.e. at the close of work. This can help determine a true fit. Poorly fitting shoes are damaging to the feet so this is important.
Fun fact: Thick socks can be worn with safety shoes that run big or for extra padding.
Comfort
Your safety shoes must be comfortable, it will be a shame to get awesome but uncomfortable safety shoes. Comfort and protection go hand in hand; never trade one for the other. The mesh lining and insole technology of a safety shoe play a huge role in determining its comfort. Moisture-wicking lining, in particular, has great results in keeping the feet dry and comfortable.
Read our article on the most comfortable safety shoes.
Aesthetics and style
Who said your safety shoes have to be ugly? Definitely not us! If being fashionable is your thing, you can have that incorporated into your safety boots too. Some safety shoes are made to look chic and classy, so you don’t have to bother about looking drab. Materials like suede have been used to switch things up. Many brands even have some safety shoe models available in different colours.
Amazon has both women’s and men’s fashionable safety shoes. Just ensure that your pick ticks other important boxes.
Your budget
We know all too well that money is buying power. The amazing qualities you desire in a safety shoe can only be yours when you get them. If you are working on a budget, then please check the prices before you fall in love with some shoes. Not to worry, Amazon has some affordable safety shoes for your pick.
However, don’t be unnecessarily frugal! A few extra bucks invested in safety shoes could be the difference between productive and unproductive workdays. Also, you can ultimately save the pain and stress involved in feet injury or pain and probably, back pain.
Time for care
Safety shoes need to be cared for appropriately, so they can last longer. Some materials require more care than others. If you are extremely busy and can’t be bothered with fussing with some shoes, then don’t buy suede shoes. Rubber shoes are easy to clean and may suit you well.
In Conclusion,
Safety shoes are important and must be appropriate for you. Don’t be in a haste! Ensure that you make adequate research and check out reviews from persons with similar workplace and personal factors to you.
Listen to your feet! When it comes to safety shoes, let your feet do the talking! If your feet say it loves a shoe, listen! If your feet don’t love them, don’t force it! Ultimately, the best safety shoes are a perfect blend of protection and comfort.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Have we helped in narrowing your choices? We hope we have made a difference in your journey to choosing the perfect safety shoe. Let us hear your thoughts in the comments section. Also, tell us what you think we missed out on.