Choosing the Right Safety Boot

Posted on 02/16 by Erin Helms

Many wounds caused by workplace accidents are foot injuries. Your employer must provide, maintain, and replace safety shoes for you. These boots are particularly critical when working in high-risk areas. When choosing the best safety boot, you must consider specific criteria. Considerations need not be limited to personal safety, protection level, and anticipated additional protection. It would help if you also considered aesthetic and comfort criteria. There are many options, so how do you choose the right safety boot? Here is some help.

The Right Boot for the Task at Hand

When choosing the proper safety boot, you must assess the workplace and the tasks you will perform. Here are some considerations: Equipment or objects that might roll or fall on your feet. Are there sharp or pointed objects that might puncture the shoe Walking surfaces: wet, oily, icy, or uneven. Risks related to material handling. Also, take the time to evaluate the risks associated with particular work areas and make the appropriate shoe choice: Electrical: live conductors, electrostatic discharges Chemical: corrosive and toxic liquids Mechanical: impacts, crushing, punctures, pinching Biological: allergies, germ growth Thermal: cold, heat, bad weather, molten metal, embers

Foot Care and Hygiene

Foot hygiene depends on the air circulation inside the shoe, and a shoe must have absorption and moisture-wicking qualities. An ill-fitting shoe can lead to calluses, corns, and fungal infections. Moisture and excessive wear can reduce protection from electrical shock. Check the condition of your boots often, looking for cracked outsoles, broken leather, and punctures. An application of waterproof protective coating can extend the life of your shoes.

Fit Considerations

Fit is unquestionably a consideration when purchasing safety boots. It is the most important feature of safety boots. The materials and design do not matter if the boot doesn't fit right. Consider things like, do your toes have room to move? Is there heel slippage? Does the insole have enough structure? Bring the socks you plan to wear when trying on safety boots. Have your foot measured, and remember that one foot is often more prominent than the other. Favor the largest when selecting a size. Styles fluctuate in size, so purchase shoes by feel and measurement. When you try safety shoes on: Try the shoe on and extend your toes to the front of the shoe. Your index finger should comfortably fit behind your foot. It is an indication of proper shoe fit. See to it that the ball of your foot fits appropriately at the broadest part of the shoe. Your safety shoes must be about half a size larger than regular footwear. The hard cap prevents stretch in the toe box area, and you do not wish to have your toes touching the end of the safety shoe. LaborMAX can help you land your next job!

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