Safety is one of the most important factors in any job, especially in environments where hazardous chemicals and heavy machinery are present. When working in these environments, one must make sure they have the right equipment and protective gear. Safety shoes play the most important role when working in any kind of industry. These shoes provide safety in situations where foot injuries are common. It is important to choose the right pair of safety shoes without being fooled by the numerous options.
What to Look For When Buying Safety Shoes
The best industrial safety shoes come out with the best features that can protect you in places where there could be hazardous materials or chemicals. You must look for features such as slip-resistant soles, thick uppers, puncture resistant, and toe protection. There are different types of safety shoes for men depending on the environment you work in.
If you are working in heavy construction environments, safety shoes must have a steel toe cap and also steel midsole protection. You must also make no compromise in comfort and ankle support, lightweight safety shoes are recommended as they offer protection without any compromise in safety.
If you are working in the electrical industry, it is important to look for safety shoes with anti-static soles. Prioritize on non-conductive, electrical hazard-resistant shoes.
For people working in the Oil and Petrochemical industry, safety shoes with oil, acid, and chemical-resistant sole is recommended. They must also look for anti-slip soles.
How to Choose the Best Safety Shoes
Choosing the correct sole is very important when buying safety shoes. There are different types of soles depending on the environment you work in. Some of them are
Rubber sole: Rubber soles are known for their durability and heat resistance. They protect you from high temperatures making them ideal for industries like welding and firefighting.
Polyurethane (PU) Sole: PU sole is lightweight and comfortable. It comes in double-density and single-density. As it is chemical resistant it is ideal for industries like oil and gas.
PVC Sole: These soles are resistant to water and chemicals making them the best for agriculture. The only disadvantage of PVC sole is that it is hefty and provides little comfort.
Another important factor when choosing a Safety shoe is the toe cap. The most common ones are Steel, Aluminium, and composite. Steel toe caps are composed of Carbon Alloy steel which makes sure that your toe is protected from falling objects and crushing under moving things. Composite toe caps are non-conductive making them suitable for electrical environments.
When purchasing safety shoes make sure that it is comfortable and there is enough space for your toes so that there is no pinching or cramping. These shoes must give you enough heel support. Make sure the instep feels secure, not being too tight to avoid slipping. Even at a good safety shoes price don’t make any compromise in the material quality, always go with high-quality materials. These shoes must be able to withstand intense use over time.