Today’s industrial ventures could prove quite risky, from handling hazardous materials to heavy objects that could cause quite the damage if they were to fall on the wrong spot. Safety boots were introduced and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to combat this problem. This article carefully guides, educates, and explains what a safety boot is, its structure and making, and most importantly, why you need to wear your safety boot. Let us learn,
Safety boots are Personal Protective Equipment under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which require employers to provide their working staff with protective footwear, especially those working in hazardous environments. Safety boots protect a person from a foot injury from heavy falling objects, sharp piercing edges, rotating objects, slippery surfaces, misplaced splinters, electricity, or bad weather.
Workplaces involving handling hazardous materials, running pipes, tree trunks, wheels, or any other materials that can roll, an environment that produces static electricity or have live electric cables that are unattended, or places involving sharp tools can pose quite a big risk. For this, you should consider getting a pair of safety boots.
The structure making up a safety boot
When buying a safety boot, several factors need to be considered. However, despite the differences posed by these factors, certain basic features need to be present in a safety boot:
The upper part
The upper part refers to the amount that usually covers the leg from the toes to the heel. This part can be made from several materials, but leather’s the most common and popular.
Foot Bed
This part is also known as the inner sole; this is the part of the shoe where the foot lies. This part is designed to make the shoe’s wearer as comfortable as possible.
Safety Toe Cap
A safety toe cap is the protective reinforcement cap located above the toe area. The safety toe cap protects toes from falling or rolling objects. Traditionally, the safety toe cap used steel, but modern-day safety boots are fitted with a composite toe cap.
Shank
The shank is the pillar of a safety boot. The supportive feature holds the boot innersole and the outer sole. This structure offers rigidity and stability in the safety boot. The shank varies from one safety boot to another, varying from steel, plastic, Kevlar, or fiberglass.
Midsole
The midsole lies between the midsole and the outsole. Its main job is to offer stability and shock absorption for the wearer. Different materials can be used to manufacture a safety boot ranging from composite materials, Kevlar, and steel polyurethane made to be pierce resistant.
Outsole
This is the most crucial part of the safety boot. It enhances wearer safety by providing stability and traction against slippery surfaces and heat and cold insulation. This is the part that is usually in direct contact with the ground. It is made from either leather, polyurethane, or rubber.
Types of Safety Boots appropriate for different workplaces
Safety boots are personal protective equipment that must be worn in workplaces around hazardous environments. However, safety boots vary depending on the workplace risk posed, which could be from hazardous materials(HAZMAT), sharp and piercing objects such as nails, rolling materials such as pipes or tree trunks, slippery surfaces, or surfaces that produce static electricity.
These are some of the common workplace safety boots that you can try out today, depending on your working environment,
Athletic safety boots
This type of shoe is usually made from steel or composite materials to protect the toe. They are normally light and comfortable, set on the objective of being worn indoors. These shoes are slip-resistant, protecting the wearer from slippery surfaces.
Hiker safety boots
These are waterproof safety boots usually made for workers whose work schedule involves both indoor and outdoor activities. These boots offer ankle support and stability. These boots cover up to up-to-the ankle level.
Six-inch safety boots
These safety boots offer protection covering up to ankle bone while providing stability and support. This kind of safety boot is usually made from either leather or leather and fabric and is recommended for workers with outdoor activities.
Eight-inch safety boots
These boots are similar to the six-inch boots; they have a higher ankle height, offering more protection and lateral support. These boots are recommended for workers in major industrial setups such as pulp, railroads, and construction.
Nine and ten-inch safety boots
This kind of safety boot is popularly known as the logger boot. It is common in the logging industry and is mostly used by electrical persons. These boots have a unique design for attaching climbing cleats for creating pole steps. These safety boots are usually heavy and hot and can be recommended to workers from cold regions working on outdoor activities.
Rubber safety boots
These safety boots are one-hundred percent waterproof and can be recommended for people who work in standing water areas such as sewers and water plants.
Metatarsal Guard safety boots
This is the standard recommended safety boot for industrial setups such as the battery, steel, glass, or window manufacturers. This boot covers the top part of the foot and offers protection against falling objects.This is the key determinant of safety boots Kenya prices, these are boots with metatarsal guards.
How does a safety boot protect you?
Workplace injuries could cost you as an employer or employee in more ways than just pain. This kind of injury could result in permanent conditions such as disability, litigations, and lawsuits, which can be very expensive. To prevent this, here are some reasons you should ensure you have your Protective Equipment (PPEs) on.
Protection from falling or flying objects
A working environment with industrial setups where several activities are being carried out simultaneously can present the risk of falling objects. To prevent this, it is advisable always to have your safety boots on to avert the danger of being crushed.
Protection from punctures
In industries that work with glass, nails, or other sharp accessories, being punctured is a huge risk. To avoid this risk, it is advisable to always have your safety boots on with heavy-duty sole and thick material.
Protection from electrical hazards
Electric shock and accumulated static electricity is a huge risk that, when set in motion, could not only affect the worker but could also result in mass property damage in case of a fire. To avert this and reduce the chances of electric accidents,non-conductivesafety boots made from leather or other material with similar properties should be worn.
Preventing fatigue
A fatigued employee translates to low output production hence lowering the chances of meeting the daily objectives. Workers, especially those working in outdoor setups, tend to be standing on their feet the whole day. In case of wrong foot ware, it could lead to muscle strain and, therefore, fatigue. You should wear appropriate safety boots with cushioning and arch support to avoid this.
Conclusion
This article accurately highlights why you need to ensure you are in safety boots for your general safety as an employee. To ensure maximum output, comfort, and stability within your working environment, it is critical to put on the appropriate safety boots.