Safety on the job is the most important part of it. If you’re not safe when doing your job, then you shouldn’t be doing your job. Thankfully, the construction and mechanical industries have come a long way in the last fifty years with safety regulations that has made life a lot safer for those who work in the fields.
One of these key components of physical safety while on the job is your shoes. You might not think anything of it, but getting a car, or a wooden beam, or a metal pipe dropped on your foot can cause serious, permanent damage to your feet. That’s why it’s critically important to be wearing the right footwear.
Safety trainers are mandated by law in most professions that list them as a requirement before showing up to work. But it isn’t as simple as rocking up to your local shoe retailer and buying a pair of safety trainers, there are a few things to consider first.
Are They Comfortable?
One of the most important things to consider is comfort. Given that you’ll be in these shoes from anywhere between 8 and 12 hours a day, comfort has to be your top priority. Work boots aren’t always the most comfortable thing in the world, that’s why safety shoes were invented, to fill the gap. Make sure that you prioritise comfort, or at the very least, strike a balance between comfort and protection.
Do They Have A Steel Plate in The Toe?
Many work boots, known as steel-toed boots will have a steel plate inserted in the toe, often covered by rubber – this protects the toes from things falling on your feet. If you want maximum protection, you’ll need to make sure that your safety trainers also have some sort of toe protection, such as a steel plate. This will make them heavier and more difficult to walk in, but it’s a good choice for any profession that deals with heavy objects.
Anti-Perforation Soles
One of the most important things to protect is the bottom of your feet, particularly if you’re working with nails, screws or other items that could cause perforations. You don’t want to step on a nail and have to go to the hospital for a Tetanus shot. Anti-perforate soles are extra-thick layers of rubber protection that prevent nails, screws and other sharps from entering your shoe and into your foot. This is a must in any safety trainer choice.
Waterproofing Is a Good Option
If you’re working in a construction site, or on a boat, there’s every chance you’re going to get wet. And if your feet get wet, then they get cold and you could wind up getting sick. If you’re looking for a good pair of safety shoes, make sure they’re waterproof – they should say right on the shoe somewhere if they’re waterproof or not. If they aren’t, you do have the option of a waterproofing spray – but it’s better to go with something that’s already been waterproofed, as the waterproofing tends to be woven into the fabric of the shoe. Waterproofing sprays are more permeable and don’t last as long as interwoven waterproof fabrics.
No matter what your profession, if it requires you to wear safer footwear, you must buy a pair of safety trainers. Work boots are another option, but safety trainers are lighter, more aesthetically pleasing and offer the same protection – they also tend to be cheaper.
Looking for high-quality safety trainers? Visit RS Online, and shop the range!
