Selecting the right safety footwear is crucial for ensuring the safety, comfort, and overall wellbeing of your workforce. Clair Weston, head of marketing at uvex shares five key factors to consider.
1. Ensure a proper fit for all workers
Industrial footwear fits differently compared to everyday shoes. This is due to the materials used for durability and protection, and the inclusion of safety features like toecaps. Sizing can also vary between brands. A proper fit for all employees, regardless of gender, is essential. Traditionally, safety footwear has been designed with a unisex approach, often neglecting the specific anatomical differences between men’s and women’s feet. Women typically have narrower heels and wider forefeet than men, and using unisex footwear can lead to an improper fit, reduced comfort, and a higher risk of injuries.
Footwear designed explicitly for women provides a better fit and more comfort, reducing the risk of foot-related issues such as bunions, corns and blisters. It also enhances safety by ensuring the footwear stays securely in place, minimising the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Employers should offer a range of sizes and styles tailored to both women and men to ensure every worker has the appropriate protection and support.
If an employee has wide feet, don’t think sizing up will help. Safety footwear from brands such as uvex, can be customised using insoles certified for that brand and model. These insoles allow the wearer to alter the dimensions inside the shoe for a customised fit. With the footwear and the insole working in tandem to support the foot and evenly distribute body weight.
2. Prioritise comfort
Comfort is crucial, especially for workers who spend long hours on their feet in demanding environments like construction sites or manufacturing floors. Footwear that provides adequate support reduces fatigue, and prevents discomfort is essential.
Comfortable safety footwear helps prevent common foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, sore feet, and blisters. Features like shock-absorbing soles, cushioned insoles, and ergonomic designs can reduce the impact on joints and muscles, enhancing comfort throughout the workday. For example, the uvex 3 safety boot has an ergonomic two-layer sole made from polyurethane, providing excellent cushioning and slip resistance. The uvex i-PUREnrj technology enhances comfort by returning the landing energy over the entire sole unit back to the wearer. Often referred to as ‘rebound’ footwear, the absorption and redistribution of energy helps reduce fatigue supporting the musculoskeletal system.
When workers are comfortable, they are less likely to suffer from fatigue and related injuries, leading to improved productivity and job satisfaction.
3. Match footwear to workplace hazards
Safety footwear must protect against specific workplace risks. Key features to consider include:
Slip resistance: For environments with a risk of slipping, especially on wet or uneven surfaces, footwear with a sharp self-cleaning tread pattern, and a pronounced heel is crucial. This design improves grip and stability, reducing slips and falls.
Water resistance: Preventing water from penetrating the footwear is essential to avoid discomfort and foot health issues. Footwear with an S3 rating or S6 / S7 rating under the new EN ISO 20345 standard ensures water resistance, keeping feet dry and comfortable. uvex’s waterstop technology provides water resistance that lasts four times longer than the standard, ideal for wet environments.
Impact and penetration protection: A sturdy toe cap (steel or composite) and a penetration-resistant midsole protect against falling objects and sharp hazards. In high-risk environments, additional metatarsal protection can enhance safety for the top of the foot, like the Heckel MACCROSSROAD 3.0 S3 HIGH META safety boot, which features D3O technology for flexible yet robust protection.
4. Invest in quality for workforce wellbeing
High-quality safety footwear is not just about meeting standards; it’s about safeguarding your workforce’s health and wellbeing. Quality footwear offers several benefits:
Reduced injury rates: Properly fitting, comfortable footwear minimises foot-related injuries, slips, trips, and falls, creating a safer work environment.
Enhanced comfort and productivity: Comfort that supports feet correctly reduces fatigue and discomfort, boosting productivity and job satisfaction.
Improved employee morale: Providing footwear that meets workers’ needs and prioritises comfort shows that employers care about their employees’ wellbeing, improving morale and reducing turnover.
5. Consider sustainability and style
Modern safety footwear is evolving to meet the growing demand for sustainability and style. Workers increasingly expect footwear that is not only safe and comfortable but also environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Using sustainable materials, such as recycled PET bottles, help to create products that offer protection, comfort, and sustainability.
There is also an increasing number of safety footwear styles suitable for vegans and vegetarians. These are made from synthetic materials and are also suitable for people allergic to chrome.
Stylish safety footwear with contemporary designs and lightweight materials encourages workers to wear their safety shoes more consistently, ensuring continuous protection without sacrificing personal style.
