Health and safety law in the UK states that in certain work environments if hazards remain after appropriate measures have been put in place, safety footwear must be worn as a last resort. When selecting safety footwear, it must be fit for purpose to prevent injury. Today, safety footwear and wellingtons offer a range of features that weren’t considered decades ago, helping to give further protection to the wearers foot.
So how do you make sure that your footwear is fit for your environment? There are a few steps you can take to assure you choose the most fitting safety footwear for your environment. Factors such as comfort, durability and any additional features required should be taken into consideration. First, however, a risk assessment should be carried out, or an existing one analysed.
Know Your Environment
A risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in a projected activity or undertaking. Essentially, it helps you identify sensible measures to control the risk of your workplace.
Risk assessments are important to accurately identify potential hazards in the workplace. The assessment helps employers to answer what it is about the activities, processes or substances used that could injure employees or harm their health.
Hazards in the workplace can range from:
- Extreme weather conditions
- High temperatures
- Wet conditions
- Electrostatic build-up
- Slips, trips and falls
- Cuts and punctures
- Falling objects
- Acid, metal and chemical splash
While carrying out a risk assessment, points to consider should be the task the wearer will be carrying out, the wearer themselves and the environment the safety footwear will be worn. Key points can include:
- Will the footwear be worn inside or outside?
- Is there a risk of falling objects?
- Are the surfaces in the workplace slippery?
- Is ankle support and protection required?
- Is there a risk of contact with animal fats, acids or oils?
- Is there a risk of contract with molten metal?
- Will the wearer be out in extreme weather conditions?
- Will the wearer require a metal free toe-cap or midsole?
- Will the wearer be working in wet conditions?
It is important to concentrate on the big and real risks, which are likely to cause most harm should they not be addressed. Once the risk assessment has been completed, you can then begin to look for safety footwear and wellingtons with the correct features to protect your workforce.
Know Your Codes
Choosing fit for purpose safety footwear can sometimes be difficult and confusing. With numerous different styles and standards available, it can be a challenge knowing which is best for your needs. However, this is made easier by the use of safety footwear codes and standards on products. There are strict guidelines regarding safety footwear, so having knowledge of the European and British standards can be extremely helpful. Read our blog about the different safety footwear standards and codes here.
Other points to consider while selecting safety footwear include:
- Accidents are expensive – you get what you pay for. Don’t just automatically go for the cheapest style of footwear as these may not sufficiently protect you from accidents.
- Specify the main surfaces and containments which cause slip risks in your workplace
- Do not select footwear on the basis of brochure description or laboratory tests alone – always make sure you trial footwear first.
- Workers may not wear footwear is it is uncomfortable or impractical, no matter how expensive it is. Ensure you receive employee feedback.
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Industry
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Features
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Recommended Safety Footwear
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Agriculture
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Waterproof, anti-static, thermal insulation, resistant to animal fats and acid, protective toe-cap, protective mid sole
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The Fortis
The Tempus (non-safety)
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Aviation
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Composite toe-cap, composite mid sole, waterproof or water resistant
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The Fusion
The T-Light (safety shoes)
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Construction
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Steel toe-cap, steel mid-sole protection, durable, secure fit and ankle support
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The Traction
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Food and Drink Manufacturing
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Waterproof, slip resistant, thermal insulation, steel toe-cap, shock absorber sole, easily cleaned
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The Tenaci
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Fuel Transport
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Resistance to oil and acids, slip resistance, protective toe-cap, anti-static
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The Ultimate
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Local Authority
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Waterproof, lightweight, comfortable
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The Ultimate
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Logistics
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Composite toe-cap, water repellent, comfort, ankle support
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The Traction
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Oil and Petrochemical
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Resistant to oil, acid and chemicals, protective toe cap, anti-static, anti-slip
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The Leonardo
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Public Transport
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Breathable, anti-static, fit for multiple environments, lightweight
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The T-Light
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Utilities
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The Fusion
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