Wearing the right safety footwear is a critical step toward ensuring your safety at work, especially if you are exposed to hazardous conditions. Industrial and construction sites are among those that come to mind when having to wear protective shoes. However, there are more types of protective shoes for safety in various industrial and work settings as they pose different hazards to the individual. Learn about the best ways to protect yourself on the job with industrial safety shoes.
Statistics on Workplace-Related Foot Injuries
- Trips and falls in the US workplace setting is worth $44.5 million in injuries (National Safety Council)
- Workplace foot injuries have an average medical cost of $15,762, as of 2022 (Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics)
- Approximately 53,000 foot injuries occur in the workplace every year in the US leading to missed days at work (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- An average of 4.8 out of 10,000 workers in the US miss work due to workplace foot injuries (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Protective Shoe Wear and Its Importance
Wearing protective and safety shoes in hazardous workplaces is non-negotiable. With more options now available, choosing the right shoes for workplace protection is easier than ever. The following are the reasons why you must invest in wearing the right protective shoes at work.
1. Protection from heavy and falling objects
Do you work in an environment that deals with heavy objects and machinery? If you answered yes, it is essential to wear safety shoes to protect your feet from falling objects. Wearing appropriate work shoes protects you from injuries, such as punctures and fractures. Injuries are a possibility with high-risk work environments.
Warehouses are an example of work areas where heavy objects and equipment are dealt with. Whether your job entails moving heavy boxes from tall shelves or stacking goods onto the back of a heavy-duty truck, moving goods pose a risk if these objects are not secured properly. Wearing safety shoes with steel toes is your first line of defense should these items fall off from the machinery or shelves, or if there is an accidental contact with other heavy equipment. They are busy work environments with many objects moving simultaneously, increasing your risk of being injured.
Construction sites are another example of work environments where there is risk of falling objects. Therefore, safety is critical for construction workers to prevent foot injuries. Workers at construction sites handle heavy tools, large machinery, and heavy construction supplies. Debris is also another potential risk for construction workers. The fast-paced nature of the construction site increases the risk of falling objects and the likelihood of accidents. Wearing shoes with reinforced toes and durable construction offer the necessary protection for your feet, in addition to other protective gear and equipment.
Other work environments where there is a risk of falling objects are manufacturing plants and mining sites. These workplaces involve heavy objects that are transported or moved from a certain height, increasing the risk that they could fall on the workers. For these work environments, you must invest in the right safety shoes among other protective equipment.
2. Prevent punctures from sharp objects
Cuts, wounds, and other puncture-type wounds are another common risk that workers face in hazardous work conditions. If you’re not protected with the right shoes, you could suffer from puncture wounds if you stepped on or come into contact with sharp objects. This type of hazard requires specific features and materials in safety shoes to mitigate those risks.
Construction sites are a work environment with a high risk of workers suffering from puncture injuries and cuts. This work environment is filled with metal fragments, screws, nails, and other sharp objects that anyone could step on as they are scattered on the ground. When workers don’t wear protective equipment, such as industrial shoes with steel or other thick materials especially on the soles, it is easy for these objects to penetrate the soles. Workers could suffer serious injuries from these tools, so it is imperative they wear the most durable and protective shoes.
Recycling centers, waste management facilities, agricultural sites, and similar work environments expose workers to the dangers of cuts and puncture injuries. You should practice extra caution in these work conditions because contact with sharp objects can lead to serious injuries or lifelong disabilities.
The next example of hazardous work environments are manufacturing facilities, especially those involved with glass, metal, and other objects with sharp components. Any job that involves machining, assembly, cutting, and welding are also high risks for puncture injuries. Industrially-fitted shoes with materials that can withstand punctures from sharp objects are an essential part of protection for workers in these hazardous work conditions. Puncture-resistant soles and reinforced toe caps are just a few features to look out for when buying shoes for this type of work environment.
3. Protection against slips and falls
Slips, trips, and falls are at the top of the list of workplace injuries. When workers fall or trip on site, they are at risk of suffering from bruises, sprains, fractures, and other serious injuries. Some falls and slips can even lead to fatal results. High-risk occupations require added safety measures to protect workers from such hazards.
Slips happen when your shoes do not have enough traction and you walk over slippery or wet surfaces. The lack of traction causes an individual to lose their balance and slip, wherein they are at risk of hitting a hard object like the floor. Falling from a certain height is another risk in hazardous workplaces, especially when workers have to deal with uneven surfaces. Without traction, it is easy for them to lose balance and their footing.
The food and beverage industry is a common example of workplaces with a high risk of slipping and falling. Workers within this industry are exposed to environments with wet or greasy surfaces. Whether they are working in the kitchen, cleaning stations, or processing areas, floors are likely to have spilled liquids or food residues.
Healthcare facilities also pose a risk for workers, when it comes to slipping and falling. Clinics and laboratories must be properly sanitized, so these floors are mopped frequently. However, it can leave the surfaces wet and slippery. As healthcare workers move at a rapid pace, most healthcare workers might not be aware of slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents.
Other hazardous work conditions with an increased risk of slipping and falling are construction sites, manufacturing plants, and the hospitality industry.
Safety shoes are vital in preventing slips and falls at work. Non-slip soles with deep treads offer improved grip and traction, ensuring the risk of slipping and falling is reduced. It helps to maintain proper balance under any surface.
4. Protection from electrical hazards
Electrical hazards are a form of risk that workers face and require specific protection, such as protective equipment and safety shoes. However, safety shoes must be specially rated for electrical hazards to ensure they have passed testing and can offer protection from electrical shocks.
Workers who are involved with electrical maintenance and repair are at the highest risk from electrical hazards. Their work requires them to handle live wires and electric circuits, or other live electrical components. The risk of making contact with electrical components that can lead to shock is high, so make sure you wear protective safety shoes, in case you accidentally step on electrical hazards.
In addition to this kind of work environment, other industries that pose the risk of electrical hazards include the power generation, manufacturing, industrial, and telecommunications industries. The right safety shoes that have been rated against electrical hazards include features, such as impact protection, slip resistance, and waterproof materials.
Unlike other industries and hazards where adding a steel toe cap can be beneficial to your safety, you must avoid wearing shoes with metal components. These materials conduct electricity and increase the risk of electric shock. Choose other materials, such as composite toe caps, because they offer protection without risking your safety against electric shock.
5. Reduce foot fatigue and soreness
Workers who spend most of their day on their feet tend to suffer from foot fatigue and soreness. However, it is also a tell-tale sign that your shoes do not offer adequate comfort and protection to your feet. Cushioning and support are two areas to evaluate when buying work safety shoes that can reduce fatigue. If your feet are fatigued, it increases the risk of injury and reduces productivity.
Foot fatigue and soreness is common in manufacturing plants and assembly lines. Workers are required to stand in the same area for an extended period, often on hard surfaces. Another example are workers in a warehouse or distribution facility. They, too, have repetitive tasks that require them to be on their feet for the entirety of their work shift.
The same is true for agricultural sites, the hospitality industry, and healthcare facilities. What do these workers have in common? Standing on their feet throughout their shift, resulting in strained feet and legs that risk being injured. The right safety shoes can minimize the fatigue and soreness due to standing for hours. Choose safety shoes with proper cushioning, well-fitted, and an ergonomic design. They promote a more efficient workplace, too.
6. Protection from burns and corrosion
Workers exposed to extreme temperatures must consider the risk of corrosion and burns to avoid injuries and fatalities. For example, if you work in a foundry or metalworking facility, you are exposed to hot metal surfaces, sparks, and molten metal.
Another example is a chemical manufacturing and processing facility. This work environment is potentially hazardous because of the chemical exposure and the possibility of spilling substances on your feet. Other industries that pose the same hazards to their workers are pharmaceutical laboratories, food processing facilities, and automotive manufacturing industries.
For each type of hazardous work environment, you must choose safety shoes made with the right materials. For chemical manufacturing, choose chemical-resistant soles and materials. And for workers in metalworking facilities, you need heat-resistant materials and lace covers to protect any exposed skin from hot sparks that could cause burns.
Since there are various kinds of hazards, tailor the materials and features of your shoes to match the level of risk.
Buying Workplace Safety Shoes: A Guide
Understanding the different types of workplace hazards is a crucial step in tailoring your safety shoes to meet your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a safety work shoe. Unless you know what hazards you are dealing with, you cannot identify the right protection to combat those hazards.
Industrial Shoeworks provide an extensive lineup of safety shoes for various industries. Soft toe work boots are lightweight and flexible. They offer protection against chemical spills and microbes but lack protection from impact or crushing injuries since they do not have steel toe caps.
On the other hand, safety toe shoes (also known as steel toed shoes) have steel toe caps as a protective reinforcement for your toes. They are designed to protect your feet from falling objects, especially heavy ones. These shoes are an essential addition to a worker’s gear list when working in construction sites, warehouses, and other work environments with a high risk of falling objects.
As the design of safety shoes has evolved, it has become apparent that traditional safety shoes options are not enough in providing protection to workers. Composite safety boots provide the same impact resistance as steel toe caps, but are more lightweight to minimize foot fatigue. They are the ideal choice of safety shoes for workers that have to stand on their feet for hours, whether standing still or walking.
Other more specialized types of safety shoes are designed to address specific risks in work environments. Slip-resistant shoes offer better grip and traction to prevent slips and consequential injuries. Meanwhile, puncture-resistant safety shoes are made of thick and durable materials that prevent sharp objects from penetrating the soles and sides of the shoes.
Your options at Industrial Shoeworks for other hazardous work conditions include ones rated for electrical hazards, high heat, and static. Insulated shoes also provide comfort and support for certain work environments.
In addition to matching the safety shoe materials and features with what you’re trying to protect, ensure that the shoes fit well. Giving them proper care and maintenance helps to make them last longer, ensuring maximum protection for your feet.
