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There is no workplace where a worker is immune to foot injury. From punctures, sprains, and lacerations to injuries resulting from slips, trips, and falls, work-related foot injuries can be of many types depending on the type of work.

Working at elevated height, requires special skill sets by the workers; no wonder, employers are often apprehensive of issues related to injuries, primarily foot injury. There can be several factors responsible for these mishaps. The possible risks can be—

Falling of heavy or burning objects Any sharp or pointed objects that might cut the top of the feet Objects that may penetrate the bottom or side of the foot Electric shock Exposure to water or extreme cold or heat

This is the reason safety footwear is among the most contentious subjects when it comes to safety footwear. Moreover, there are other conditions such as calluses and ingrown toenails that are common among workers, which may not be considered as occupational injuries by any means, but they can have serious consequences for health and safety at the workplace. For, these can lead to discomfort, pain, and fatigue, which can further be the reason for an accident or incident of any kind.

With an abundance of safety footwear in the market, it can be a daunting task working out exactly what your workforce needs and which products meet the requirements of the tasks and workers involved. When selecting safety footwear

, you need to take into account several factors in addition to slip resistance, such as comfort, durability and any other safety features required, such as toe protection. Knowing the specific needs of your workplace environment is a key consideration. Is there a potential risk from falling objects, sharp surfaces or metals, or are chemicals or electrical hazards another potential risk?

Here are some tips that may help you to win the final bargain —

Checking the standards: Protective footwear should conform to Standard or appropriate standard for your jurisdiction. Make sure the safety boots you are purchasing offer those safety features that protect against the hardest working conditions. They must meet the resistance standards for penetration, water absorption and slip. As per the EN standards, there are few codes that indicate the testing of the footwear. For example,

SRA – tested on ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution SRB – tested on smooth steel with glycerol SRC – tested under both the above conditions

Composite safety toe: Another important feature that your safety footwear should have is a composite safety toe to provide necessary security from impact, compression and electrical hazards.

Outsole and Insole offering: Outsole of safety boots or safety shoes is as important as is the inner construction of the footwear. While inner sole is responsible for flexibility and comfort, outsole provides excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, oil, gas, and slipping. When faced with extreme temperatures or unsafe surfaces, a sturdy outsole can offer gripping features which can be a lifesaver.

Proper fitting: Be it safety boots, sandals, or shoes, to ensure a proper fitting of your new safety footwear, take these two things into consideration:

Heel: It should be low, wide-based heel; generally, flat-heel shoes are recommended. Instep: The inner side of the shoe must be straight from the heel to the end of the big toe.

As we all know, one of the key points in safety boot procurement is considering the user, being an employer, it is essential that you concentrate on the real risks. Think about how accidents could happen and who might get harmed. Ask your employees or colleagues what they think the hazards are, for often they get to notice things that are not obvious to you and may have some good ideas on how to control the risks.

Select the right product based on your risk assessment and walk ahead with safety footwear in your business.