When it comes to workplace safety, nothing could be as basic or as simple as wearing the right shoes. Statistics reveal that foot injuries are among the most common types of workplace injuries. Thankfully, you have more options available now than ever to cope with workplace dangers and avoid injuries from happening. This guide explores the different types of industrial shoes for all kinds of hazards for maximum protection and comfort.
Consider OHSA Regulations
There is more than one type of protective footwear for the workplace, given that there are different kinds of hazards. For this reason, you should make it your goal to educate yourself about the different types of industrial shoes that protect your feet from injuries.
If you are unsure about this, you can refer to the OHSA regulations that are specific to your industry. The following is a brief overview of the various safety standards for industrial shoes that you can use as a guide in buying and ensuring the best protection.
- EN ISO 20345 Standard – This European regulation outlines the basic safety requirements for work shoes, including the manufacturing standards and materials. The aim is to from various hazards, such as punctures, electrical hazards, heavy impacts, and chemical burns.
- S1 Standard – This safety standard on industrial shoes applies to any work environment that does not involve humidity or high perforation risk. The S1 standard safety shoes can withstand up to 200 joules of impact.
- S1P Standard – The S1P standard shoes incorporate added safety features for environments with higher risks, including logistics and light construction. The standard features for this type of shoes includes anti-static properties, puncture-resistant midsoles, and protective toe caps. This offers the highest protection without sacrificing comfort.
- S2 Standard – These shoes are an upgrade to the S1 and S2 shoes that offer protection in humid environments. The same features as S1 shoes are offered but also includes hydrocarbon resistance and anti-static protection, which makes them ideal for outdoor work or work environments that expose your feet to extra moisture. However, they are not suitable for prolonged immersion in water or moist conditions.
- S3 Standard – The S3 shoes promote the highest standard of protection and are designed for workplaces with demanding conditions. They offer maximum safety in various work environments with high puncture and slip risks. They are ideal for work surfaces that are prone to slipping and falling heavy objects, such as agriculture, engineering, and construction sites.
Guidelines in Picking the Right Industrial Shoes
Choosing the right safety standard for industrial shoes can be tricky. Therefore, you can refer to the regulatory standards mentioned above to pick the right shoes for a specific industry, given its varying challenges.
For construction industries, the S3 standard shoes are best because they provide complete protection due to the varied risks in the work environment. They have puncture-resistant soles and are made of waterproof materials. They also provide good traction to avoid slips and slides from unstable surfaces.
For the food and healthcare industries, water-resistant shoes are highly recommended. This is vital to avoid contamination and for ease of cleaning. For this, you can use the S2 shoes as they offer moisture-resistance. This same type of shoes is also recommended for hospitals, kitchens, and similar environments.
Your feet are exposed to a higher risk of perforations and exposure to harmful substances if you work in the chemical or pharmaceutical industries. You can use S1P standard shoes if you are not working with liquids, but if you want protection against liquids, choose S3 shoes.
As a reminder, always perform a safety and risk assessment of your work environment first. Knowing the dangers present in your work environment allows you to pick the ideal safety shoe standard to suit the known risks.
Best Industrial Shoes for Puncture Protection
If your work environment puts your feet at risk of puncture wounds or injuries, you should choose safety shoes that offer maximum puncture protection. The kind of materials, construction, and other safety features are integral in protecting against punctures and falling objects that are hazardous to your feet.
When shopping for industrial shoes to protect against punctures, look for puncture-resistant boots. So, why choose a puncture-resistant shoe? Puncture wounds due to scrap metals, spikes, screws and other sharp objects can cause permanent foot damage and infection. Therefore, prevention is better than cure when it comes to protecting against puncture wounds.
A puncture-resistant work boot has protective midsoles embedded into the shoes during the manufacturing process. There are various kinds of materials that are used for making puncture-resistant safety shoes and there are pros and cons for choosing each material.
Steel Midsoles
Coated or stainless steel midsoles are a common material used to protect your feet against punctures in the workplace. This material is more economical than textiles or woven fabric midsoles, and they are also thinner. The midsole material is embedded into the outsole construction so is not visible even if you remove the insole.
In terms of protection, they offer the highest protection against sharp objects. But there are downsides to the steel midsole material to protect against puncture since they conduct heat and electricity. Therefore, you must avoid this type of midsole material if you work with electricity or heat. In addition, the material is less flexible due to the metal so it is not recommended if you need to be mobile at work.
Woven Fabric Midsole
The woven fabric midsole is another option available if you are looking for puncture-resistant safety boots. This material provides greater flexibility and mobility than stainless steel midsoles. It is also more lightweight so you are more agile, which is advantageous when you are constantly moving at work. It does not conduct electricity, heat, or cold. So, you can use this type of shoe if you work in environments involving metal scanning.
And lastly, comfort is expected when wearing this type of safety shoes due to the lightweight and flexible material.
Final Thoughts in Choosing Shoes for Puncture Protection
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to buying shoes for your protection and safety at work. With an increasing number of foot injuries at work, don’t let yourself be one of the statistics. Invest in the best materials and features that protect your shoes from injuries and wounds. If puncture-resistance is what you need, follow the tips provided here to ensure you can increase productivity without worrying about hazards.
