Introduction to Safety Shoes
Safety shoes are one of the most crucial safety equipment for various high-risk industries. Safety shoes not only protect against slips and falls on uneven surfaces but also protect against corrosive chemicals. Hence, safety shoes for men and women come with tough internal materials and cover for heavy objects falling on the toes and other damages that often occur in industrial environments. They are often mandatory equipment for workers in many industries.
Types of Safety Shoes
Now that you know what are safety shoes, you should check out their diverse types. Worker shoes come in various shapes and sizes. Traditional safety boots have steel toes, while the more modern ones are made of several kinds of materials, including thermoplastics and aluminium. The prime criterion for choosing safety boots, however, is comfort.
The top three kinds of industrial safety boots available in the market are the following:
- Steel toe safety shoes
- Aluminum worker shoes
- Composite Toe shoes
Steel toe safety shoe:
Traditional safety boots come in steel. They are the most popular kind of industrial shoes. They offer durable protection, although they may transfer cold or heat.
Aluminium Safety Shoe:
Aluminium shoes are a more modern creation. Several new industries have adopted aluminium shoes for their workers. They are lighter but are also costlier in turn.
Composite Toe Safety Shoe:
Industrial boots made of composite and carbon fibers are the newest kind of safety shoe. They come with a string of benefits and maybe just the right option for the right type of industry. They are lighter and more flexible, non-magnetic, and can be adaptable to extreme temperatures. However, they are often bulkier than other types.
Types of outer soles used in safety shoes
There are many kinds of outsoles for work boots. Some of them include the following:
- Rubber offers good resistance to slippage and to oils and fuels of various kinds. It provides a good grip and comes with temperature resistance features.
- PU is lightweight and more comfortable while resisting chemical agents. However, this does not pertain to stronger acids. Yet, these shoes offer superior grip and protection from slippage.
- PVC can resist extreme cold temperatures, acids, and other chemical agents.
Risks associated with working in industrial setups
There are multiple risks arising from industrial environments and similar workplaces. Some of them are listed below:
- Industrial and chemical hazards
- Electric shocks
- Heavy objects dropping on the feet
- Extreme cold, water, and heat
- Punctures and cuts
- Stones, trunks, pipes, wheels, and other items roll over on the toes.
- Hazardous materials and sharper tools like axes, knives, nails, glasses, and others may lead to punctures and severe damages.
- Dead or live electrical cables or floors which may generate static electricity
Types of safety boots for each risk
Different worker shoes help people deal with different risks, such as:
- Heavy objects falling on the feet: Steel toe safety boots
- Punctures by sharp objects: Steel toe or aluminium safety boots
- Electrical shocks: Steel-toe safety boots
- Temperature fluctuations: Composite toe and carbon-fibre shoes
To access the best safety shoes across categories, check out safety shoes online at L&T-SuFin, a one-stop solution for all safety equipment across industries. This is the best place to find safety boots that suit your requirements and work environment.