When you think of an industrial workplace, a construction site, or any other workplace where heavy machinery and frequent hazards are the names of the game, sturdy boots are probably the first thing that comes to mind. That’s because heavy boots are more than a fashion statement–in workplaces like these, they’re essential to your ability to work.
But what if employees will not wear safety boots at work? What can employers do? Here’s a look at why you need safety boots–and what your options are if employees refuse to step up.
Training the Employees on the importance of safety boots is very critical for an Employer. Employees must be aware of workplace hazards and how they can affect their physical well begin as well as reduce the production quality of work which can affect the bottom line of the company.
In very high-risk workplaces where heavy machinery, tools, and falling objects abound, safety boots are essential to a safe work environment. These aren’t just your average work boots. These are boots designed to protect you against a variety of hazards the job might throw your way, including:
- Flying objects
- Falling objects
- Debris
- Punctures
- Cutting hazards
- Electrical hazards
- Crushing hazards
- Slips
- Trips
- Falls
- Sprained ankles
- Burns
- Extreme weather
- Fatigue
For construction workers and heavy machinery workers, steel-toed boots are an everyday feature of work life. That’s because steel-toed boots are designed to protect your feet against crushing hazards (to a certain extent, at least). That way, the most fragile part of your foot (your toes) is protected against falling objects, tools, or machinery.
TYPES OF SAFETY BOOTS FOR THE WORKPLACE:
Metatarsal Boots
If you work at a construction site and you lifting heavy objects is part of your day-to-day activities, then metatarsal boots are ideal for you. These shoes are designed to protect the upper part of the feet and bones while also protecting the toes, internally and externally.
Electric Hazard Boots
If your job demands the handling of high voltage circuits and machines, then you must wear electric hazard boots. They are manufactured from non-conductive electricity-resistant materials so that you don’t get an electric shock, even after contact with live wires. Electrical hazard shoes prevent the user from completing the circuit while working with an electric device.
Steel Insole Boots
These shoes are ideal for you if your job involves a lot of driving or pushing pedals. The steel insole boots are designed to reduce joint pain that can occur because of your job demands. They are designed to keep your feet stabilized while working and provide you with the comfort to prevent joint pain.
Metal Instep Shoes
You should wear metal instep shoes if you work at a place where you can find pointed objects like broken glass, pins, cut metals etc. on the surface. These shoes are the best fit for those who work in industries to protect their feet from injuries.
BENEFITS OF WEARING SAFETY BOOTS
- Protect from Falling & Flying Objects
When workers carry heavy materials or work in dynamic environments where many people, machines and vehicles are operating at once, falling, and flying objects are common hazards. Protective shoes like steel toe boots can effectively prevent crushing injuries to the feet.
- Protect from Punctures
When workers could step on sharp objects or be struck by sharp objects from above, shoes with heavy-duty soles and thick materials surrounding the foot offer the best protection. At construction worksites, for example, many sharp objects could be in someone’s path. A soft-soled shoe might not provide enough protection.
- Protect from Cutting Hazards
Machinery that is sharp or contains moving parts can pose cutting hazards. Workers in the logging industry, for example, face dangers from chainsaws. If a chainsaw were to meet someone’s foot, the result could be catastrophic. Logging boots—which are required by OSHA under the standard—made with cut-resistant material will protect those workers who use chainsaws. These boots are also waterproof or water repellant and support the ankles.
- Protect from Electrical Hazards
Electricity poses a variety of risks in the workplace. Workers could face potential electric shocks or accumulate static electricity, which can lead to electric sparks in certain environments.
To reduce the chances of an electrical accident, non-conductive footwear made from leather, rubber or other materials that don’t conduct electricity can be worn. In locations where the build-up of static on the body poses a hazard, anti-static or conductive footwear can be used. These options reduce the amount of static that accumulates on the body, preventing static electric sparks.
- Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls
Slips, trips, and falls can happen in any workplace and result in many accidents annually. Businesses can take steps such as implementing housekeeping measures and installing anti-slip floor tape to reduce the risks of these mishaps. Proper footwear can also provide additional protection against slips, trips, and falls. Shoes with appropriate traction can help prevent falls on the same level in slippery environments. They can also prevent falls from ladders, which are all too common when people don’t wear shoes with proper treads. Footwear that fits well and feels comfortable can also improve balance, which will help prevent slips, trips and falls, too.
- Prevent Fatigue
For workers who stand all day, especially on hard surfaces like concrete, fatigue can be a real problem. Muscles in the feet, as well as the legs, back and other parts of the body, grow tired, and the situation can be worsened when employees don’t wear appropriate footwear. Shoes that provide adequate cushioning and arch support can make people more comfortable, which alleviates strain on muscles. This means employees will grow fatigued less quickly. Employees who are less fatigued will be more alert, so they will likely do their jobs more safely and efficiently. Preventing muscle strain will also help protect against musculoskeletal disorders such as chronic lower back pain, too.
- Prevent Burns
Burns from a fire can happen in the workplace, but so can burns from chemicals and even from common workplace materials like cement. Footwear made from durable materials can prevent burns from chemical splashes, molten metal splashes and other dangerous substances that could injure the skin on the feet.
- Protect from Extreme Weather
We all know that cold weather can lead to injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia, and those dangers shouldn’t be overlooked in the workplace. People who work outside in the winter are at risk, as well as employees who work in wet or refrigerated environments.
In Conclusion, every employee needs a safety boot as much as they need water to quench their thirst while in the Workplace.
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