Safety footwear comes in many different forms the main types are Steel toe cap boots, steel toe cap shoes or trainers, steel toe cap wellingtons, riggers, dealers. They are basically durable boots or shoes that have protective reinforcement in the toe, this protects from falling objects. The sole unit should also have a protective plate to protect from punctures from below for example nails. The toe cap are usually made of steel hence the name steel toe cap boots, but can also be made from a composite material or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Steel toe caps/safety footwear are required by law in many different working environments such as the construction industry, agriculture and most factory environments. Many works places require a certificate to be shown (ISO EN:345).
Safety boots or safety shoes?
Safety footwear is available in many different styles depending on the need of the wearer. They come in boots which are more commonly used in the construction industry and agricultural industries. They come in shoe form more suited to a supervisors position where the wearer is in and out of an office and the working environment e.g factory environment or warehouse environment.
Are safety boots dangerous
Some people believe that the safety toe cap can in some circumstances be more dangerous because a significant weight can cause the toe cap to act like a blade. This really is just a myth as the weight needed to cause this sort of failure would result in severe damage to the foot and in most cases amputation would be necessary anyway.
Remember New Forest Footwear has a large range of Safety Footwear to suit the job that you are doing!