If you are working in any kind of dangerous environment, chances are that you are going to need some type of hard boot that is going to be comfortable, fit well and have enough protection to help in case of an accident.
Safety boots are in fact mandatory footwear across many different professions and form part of staff rewards and incentives if they’re provided by the employer and are of the highest quality.
Safety boots can be an expensive purchase for your new job and once you have an incident while wearing them, where they save your feet-you will realize that they are worth every penny!
But, if you are on the hunt for a brand new pair of safety boots, there are many features to pay attention to when you are making your purchase – regardless of what brand you go with, the important thing is the accessories and safety features of the boot – and how comfortable they are. If you are going to be wearing these things for 8 hours a day, five days a week, you will want to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible.
Here are a few important accessories from RS Components.
Essential Accessories For Your Safety Boots
Steel Toes
One of the most important safety features of any safety boot is what is on top of – or underneath – the toes! These are the areas of the foot that get hit the most by falling debris, or falling construction equipment. People drop things and accidents happen, while you can not necessarily prevent others from making mistakes be prepared with steel-toed safety boots. Traditionally, these steel toes were simply made from steel plates, which had been sewed inside the shoe – or sewn on the outside of the shoe.
Whether they are on the inside or the outside is not so important, the simple presence of steel toes in a boot is a very necessary safety feature.
Thicker Rubber Soles
Another thing that construction and other industry workers are prone to be stepping on sharp objects – whether that be a nail or a screw – the thing that will really ruin your day is having to remove a nail or a screw from your foot – because it went straight through the insert of your shoe. Then it is off to the hospital for a tetanus shot! One of the things to look for when looking for accessories or features of your safety boot is the presence of a hardened, thicker sole so that the nail/screw will not go into your foot.
Waterproofing Options
This is particularly the case if you are working in a potentially wet environment, or with things like concrete – where rubber boots do not offer enough protection. Most safety boots come with waterproofing built into the material of the boot, using things like Gore-Tex materials in the construction of the boot. However, if your safety boot does not come with built-in waterproofing – there are sprays that you can buy to make your boots waterproof. There is nothing worse than wet feet all day – make sure you buy boots that have built-in waterproofing or know where you can buy some spray to make them waterproof.
No Laces
People laces sometimes come untied, and they can cause dangerous tripping hazards. This is amplified when you are carrying heavy materials around a space, sometimes upstairs or down a ladder. The last thing you want is to trip over your shoelace and seriously injure yourself. Try to find a safety boot that does not have any shoelaces – Blundstones, for example – or no-tie shoelace options like LockLaces.
Whether you are just starting out in the construction industry or are a seasoned veteran looking to replace your safety boots or the boots of your workers, making sure your shoes have the necessary accessories to keep safe on the job is well worth the time, effort and money. Safety is always your first priority.
