Tips for Staying Safe on Jobsites
Do you work in construction or at an industrial site? If so, you need the proper protective footwear to help avoid injury. Ordinary shoes crumple when something heavy falls on them, which can lead to lacerations or broken bones. Steel toe boots are much stronger, giving them the ability to protect your feet against falling objects, moving equipment and stubbing your toes. Here’s more information about this type of personal protective equipment.
When are Steel Toe Boots Appropriate to Wear?
It’s recommended that workers wear steel toe boots anywhere heavy lifting is required or machinery or large moving objects are found. Example locations include:
- Manufacturing facilities
- Steel production plants
- Mills
- Mines
- Warehouses
- Oil and gas rigs
- Construction sites
- Shipyards
- Other industrial settings
Types of Safety Toes
- Steel: This is the standard material used for safety toes in work boots.
- Composite: This type of protective toe may be made from fiberglass, plastic or Kevlar. These materials aren’t as tough as steel, but they’re ideal for working in hot or cold conditions or where electricity is present because they’re non-conductive.
- Alloy: Boots with an alloy safety toe may be made of aluminum, titanium or other lightweight materials. These alloys prevent your shoes from becoming too heavy, yet they still provide excellent protection for your toes.
How Strong are Steel Toe Boots?
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has minimum compression and impact performance ratings for steel toe boots found in ANSI Z41-1991. To give you an idea of how strong steel toe boots are, consider that they can withstand a 75 lb object falling from a height of three feet. Heavy-duty steel toes can also withstand about 6,000 lbs of pressure before they bend out of shape.
Other Protective Elements Available with Steel Toe Boots
- Waterproofing: If you work in wet conditions, waterproof steel toe boots keep your feet dry and protected.
- Insulation: Numb toes make it difficult to work, so insulated steel toe boots are recommended for cold working environments.
- Metal insteps: This feature provides extra protection against sharp objects that you might step on, including glass, nails and rocks.
- Metatarsal guards: These provide additional protection for the front half of your foot, further minimizing the risk of injury from heavy falling objects.
- Electrical hazard rating: If you work with electricity, your steel toe boots should have an electrical hazard rating for your protection.
The trick to maximizing comfort and safety with a pair of steel toe boots is to make the right selection. At Work-n-Wear, we offer a wide variety of steel toe footwear, including shoes and boots designed for use in various settings. Browse our products online or visit our Salem, Oregon store to ask questions and receive personalized help as you make your selection. For more information, please contact us online or call (503) 364-3064.
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