The Importance of Safety Footwear.

The importance of Safety footwear is paramount as a piece of safety equipment PPE that is essential for workers who are exposed to hazardous situations and environments.

They help protect the feet from potential occupational hazards such as falling objects, sharp objects, electrical dangers, slipping, and more. The most commonly used types of safety footwear include steel-toe boots, Lightweight Composite, regular work boots with reinforced soles, slip-resistant boots and shoes, and waterproof boots and shoes.

Steel-toe or Composite toe protection boots provide the most protection against potential hazards as they have reinforced steel or composite caps that protect from falling objects, heavy objects, and other types of impacts. EN ISO 20345:2022 certified safety footwear with reinforced soles are also effective safety footwear options as they help to reduce slips and falls on wet or uneven surfaces.

What are the benefits of wearing safety footwear?

Safety footwear can provide many benefits in the workplace.

Wearing safety boots or shoes can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by providing added protection from slips, trips, and falls.

From HSE UK figures the biggest cause of accidents in the workplace were slips, trips and falls.
See the HSE link for further details https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/index.htm

Safety footwear also helps protect workers from potential hazards such as sharp objects, electrical shocks, and chemical spills. Additionally, wearing the correct safety shoes or boots can help ensure that employees are using proper posture when working, which can help reduce the risk of physical strain and fatigue. Finally, safety shoes can provide much-needed comfort and support for employees who are on their feet for long periods of time.

Who needs to wear safety footwear?

Anyone who works in an environment that requires safety footwear needs to wear them in order to protect their feet from potential hazards.

This can include anyone who is working in a factory, construction site, warehouse, or any other type of space where they are exposed to heavy objects or materials or where there is a slip risk that could potentially cause injury to their feet.

The importance of Safety footwear is designed to provide the necessary protection from these hazards. It can also offer additional support, comfort and slip resistance, which is important for those who are on their feet all day.

Safety footwear should be chosen based on the environment in which it will be worn as well as the type of work being performed.

When do I need to wear safety footwear?

You should always wear safety footwear when working in any type of environment where there is a risk of foot injury, such as an industrial workplace or a construction site.

Safety footwear is designed to protect your feet from sharp objects, heavy objects, chemical spills, extreme temperatures, and slippery or wet surfaces. It is important to ensure that the safety footwear you select meets the safety requirements of your workplace, ensure that it is correctly fitted and properly maintained, as this will help to reduce the risk of injury.

Additionally, you should always follow your company’s safety guidelines for wearing safety footwear in order to remain compliant with regulations and keep yourself safe. By taking these steps, you can ensure a safer work environment

How do I know if my footwear is compliant?

To determine whether or not the safety footwear you are using is compliant, there are a few key factors to consider.

Firstly, it is important to examine the safety rating of the footwear; all safety boots and shoes should meet and comply with stringent safety requirements in order to be considered compliant. The most common ratings for footwear include EN ISO 20345:2011.

Always use a reputable supplier for the best and up to date advice. Industrial Workwear Limited can help you with exact requirements to comply with your Risk Assessment and occupational health obligations by running a Safety Footwear clinic. We can come into your place of work, look at your requirements and run a fitting exercise for your individual employees to make sure you are fully compliant and have a healthy and happy workforce.

https://www.industrialworkwear.com/request-a-quote/

What are the consequences of not wearing safety Boots?

Not wearing safety footwear when working in areas where there is a potential risk of foot injuries can have severe and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Like all other protective equipment, safety boots and shoes are designed to minimise the risk of injury and reduce the severity of any injuries that may occur. Safety shoes and Boots are designed with several protective features such as slip-resistant soles, impact-resistant toes, water-resistance, and arch support. Additionally, safety boots and shoes also provide comfort and support to feet throughout the workday.

It is always the Employers responsibility to have risk assessments in place and adhered to so it is vital you get the correct advice when choosing Safety Footwear.

Occupational Health and Safety Shoes.

An occupational health officer is an essential role in any workplace, as they are responsible for monitoring the safety and health of employees. This includes ensuring that all safety procedures are followed and that any hazards, such as unsafe working conditions, are identified, reported, and rectified.

One of the most important pieces of protective equipment used by workers is Safety Footwear. Additionally, they should ensure that all staff wear the correct type and size of shoe or boot for their job role to protect against injury and accidents.

Furthermore, occupational health officers can provide education on the importance of safety footwear and how to reduce workplace accidents and promote a safe working environment. They should inform workers of the different types of safety footwear available, their proper use and any safety regulations associated with them.

Finally, they can advise employers on how to implement effective policies that ensure employee safety.

We can work closely with you as the Occupational Health Officer to identify areas of concern. In many cases and in our experience there are health issues related to back pain which can be directly attributed to employees wearing the incorrect footwear.

Contact us today and we can visit your site and run a free of charge footwear clinic (30+ wearers) where we can look at the different work station situations and recommend the correct footwear for each application.

We will then fit the correct footwear to the individual which should see a big reduction in sickness periods associated with back pain.

Contact our friendly team to discuss the importance of safety footwear on 01207 509717 of fill in the form here for immediate attention