Safety shoes have quite become the standard over the past decades for several reasons. No matter what the field of work is, it is an essential safety feature that needs acknowledgment. It is very important to wear safety shoes, and there are several reasons for it. Among all the disability applications worldwide, about 25% of them are due to injured feet. That gives us a clear idea of the importance of wearing safety shoes in the workplace.
Feet injuries are common and, thus, a major thing to worry about. Employees from factories, heavy industries, timber companies who work around machinery are more prone to accidents. In most cases, they end up with foot injuries which sometimes are incurable. As the person suffers a major inconvenience, the treatment also costs the company a lot of money. That also harms the work culture and the flow.
That is why thousands of companies worldwide are coming with strict rules and work policies. Among the rules, wearing safety boots has become essential. It takes care of the security of the employee and saves the company from accident-related expenses. For example, after the introduction of safety boots as a standard in Canada, work-related foot injuries dropped by 60%.
Why are safety shoes a must?
While working in an environment, an employee can come across several hazards. Some of them can prove fatal if they don’t have the right gear. Let’s see the types of security threats one may come across in a workplace.
Protection from falling and flying objects
In most cases, the work environment in factories is very dynamic; people and machines are operating all at once. Workers also carry heavy materials and things and require concentration. In situations like these, flying or falling object hazards become highly possible. If an employee is not careful enough or has not worn any protective shoes, crushing injuries can happen. In those matters, steel toe boots can save the employee.
Punctures
Places like metal workshops and construction sites are often full of scrap metal, sharp tools like glass, and pointy things such as nails and screws. So, they can come in the way and become a cause of injury. Sometimes, pointy objects can also fall from above.
These pose a risk of puncturing the shoes and feet if the worker doesn’t have safety boots on. A shoe with a thick sole and durable material wraps around the feet and provides ample protection against these incidents.
Burns and electric shock hazards
Fire hazards can happen anywhere. Chemical factories, cement industries, metal industries, gas reserves, and even working around extreme temperatures can cause 1st to 3rd-degree burns. Shoes made with durable material, and supreme fire resistance can save lives. These shoes are specially designed to protect your feet from accidental molten metal or chemical drops and splashes.
Fire and electricity come hand in hand in cases of workplace hazards; one leads to another. Electric shock is also a common hazard in industries and workshops. The cause for these incidents may vary. High voltage electric shocks, high static electricity accumulation resulting in sparks – these incidents can happen. Shoes made of non-conductive materials such as rubber and leather can prevent these kinds of incidents from happening.
Accidental slips and falls
Slips and accidental falls happen in every place. However, housekeeping businesses, plumbing businesses, and people involved with other ventures tend to face this issue more due to the nature of their work. Suppose metal roofs; are highly slippery. So to walk safely on a metal roof you need good metal roofing boots that have all the safety features including good traction. Accidental slips sometimes result in minor injuries like a twisted ankle, but such incidents can turn fatal anytime. Specialized boots for these jobs come with groves that enhance grip and traction. That reduces these injuries and helps move faster.
Cut injuries
Some workplaces involve heavy usage of cutting tools. These objects are sharp and consist of moving parts. Any such tool can be dangerous for body parts. Lumberjacks and loggers, metal cutters, who constantly come close to chainsaws and cutters essentially need protective shoes. If not, a chainsaw coming in contact with someone’s foot can end in disaster. Specialized boots with cut-resistance properties bring superior protection to their feet.
Extremely cold temperatures
Insulated shoes take care of the feet and protect them from frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme weather, the rapid drop of temperature prevents blood flow, and that can lead to several symptoms. These shoes keep the feet warm and comfortable. Furthermore, the shoes need to be waterproof, too. Water trapped inside the shoe can harm the feet in many ways.
Additional benefits of safety shoes
Safety shoes don’t just protect the feet; they come with additional benefits.
In most workplaces, employees need to spend a lot of time wearing those boots, so they need to feel comfortable to go for the rest of the day. For that reason, these boots come with comfortable padding and lots of finger room. In this way, these boots help in reducing foot pain and cramps.
Groundworkers need to be standing through most of the day and performing heavy tasks. Doing so puts a lot of stress on the body – especially on the legs and back muscles. If an employee chooses to work without proper boots, that will lead to several joint and spine-related conditions. The boots help maintain a good posture; hence they can help to keep your back and joints pain-free.
In addition, it may increase the overall work experience.
- The shoes will help you feel comfortable at work.
- They increase your work efficiency.
- They give better control in emergency situations.
- They play a great role in taking care of the feet.
- If an employee feels protected, that can improve their self-esteem.
- With the variety of designs and materials, there’s a pair of safety shoes for everyone.
Wearing safety boots is also important for the company. The usage of safety shoes in workplaces has become a general regulation, and not following the protocol can get the company to face a lawsuit. In addition, the employees must wear safety shoes all the time to avoid certain incidents that can cost the company time and resources. Health is also an important part of that.
In the end, safety shoes not only protect workers’ feet but also have plenty of other health and financial benefits. That concludes to the shoes being an essential part of every workplace.
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