When it comes to choosing the right work shoes for your area, there are a few key factors to consider. These factors include the type of environment you'll be working in, the specific hazards that you may encounter, and the level of protection that you need. In this article, we'll discuss these factors in more detail and provide tips on how to choose the right protective footwear for your area.
Know your environment
The first step in choosing the right safety shoes is to understand the environment you'll be working in. Are you working indoors or outdoors? Will you be on a construction site, factory floor, farm, refrigerating chamber, or laboratory? Each of these environments has its own set of hazards and risks that you need to be aware of.
For example, if you're working on a construction site, you may need safety work boots that provide impact protection and slip resistance. If you're working in a laboratory, you may need footwear that provides chemical resistance and static dissipation. If you’re working on a farm, you may need safety wellies with toe cap protection, slip resistance, are easy to clean. If you’re working on a refrigerating chamber, you may need work shoes that provide thermal insulation. If you work in the food processing industry, you may need metal-free, white and easy-to-clean footwear.
Identify potential hazards
Once you've identified your environment, the next step is to identify the potential hazards you may encounter. Hazards can include sharp objects, slippery surfaces, electrical currents, chemicals, extreme temperatures and more. By understanding these hazards, you can choose safety wellies that provide the necessary protection.
For example, if you're working in an environment where you may encounter sharp objects, you may need footwear with a steel toe cap or puncture-resistant sole. If you're working in an environment where you may encounter chemicals, you may need footwear with chemical-resistant materials.
Determine the level of protection you need
The level of protection you need will depend on the hazards you may be exposed to in your environment. Protective footwear is categorized by levels of protection, such as impact resistance, electrical hazard resistance, and slip resistance.
For example, if you're working in a cold environment where you may encounter thermal hazards, you may need footwear that meets the CI ISO Standard. If you're working in an environment where you may encounter slippery surfaces, you may need footwear with a slip-resistant sole that meets ISO 20347 SR.
Check the regulations and standards
In some industries, there are specific regulations and standards that must be met when it comes to protective footwear. In Europe, PPE must be CE marked according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and the Council on personal protective equipment. In this way, they will be able to enter without restriction and move freely within the EU territory.
Before choosing protective footwear, it's important to check the regulations and standards in your industry to ensure that the footwear you choose meets the requirements. (You can check our previous post to know more about this topic).
Set a budget
In summary, when selecting protective footwear, budget is an important consideration for many individuals and organizations. It's crucial to find products that fit within budget constraints without compromising on safety. Factors such as the total cost of ownership, durability, and comfort should be considered when making purchasing decisions. While investing in high-quality footwear may be more expensive upfront, it could provide better protection and save money over time. It's also important to consider the cost of not providing adequate protection, such as lost productivity, medical expenses, and legal liabilities. By balancing safety and cost-effectiveness, individuals and organizations can select the appropriate protective footwear that meets their needs and budget.
Choose the right style