Products

Choosing Safety Footwear Guide

Choosing the correct safety footwear is one of the most important decisions for those working in hazardous conditions. Footwear should be suitable for the job whilst also being comfortable for the wearer.

SB - Safety Basic EN20345
Safety footwear for professional use, incorporating features to protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents. Steel toecaps give protection against a minimum of 200 joules of force.
FO - Fuel Oil Resistant Outsole
This is to identify footwear which has been tested for resistance against fuel oil. This is to ensure the sole will not swell or become brittle and crack when worn in harsh industrial conditions.
P - Steel Midsole
A stainless steel plate incorporated into the sole to prevent the penetration of sharp objects.
HRO - Heat Resistant Outsole
Footwear with Heat Resistant Soles have been tested with accordance with the European standard to withstand direct contact with a 300c heat source for a minimum of 60 seconds without detriment to the sole.
A - Antistatic
Antistatic footwear should be used if it is necessary to minimize electrostatic build up to avoid the risk of spark ignition. Footwear has a resistance level that will dissipate static electricity whilst still providing reasonable protection against mains voltage. This resistance is between 100kw and 1000mw when tested in accordance with EN ISO 20344.
E - Energy Absorption
It has been scientifically proven that even in a normal walking action a downward force in excess of your body weight is placed on the heel of your foot. This in turn creates shock waves that travel up your legs and body causing muscle and joint fatigue.
WRU - Water Repellant Uppers
The upper leather offers protection against water penetration and absorption and is tested in accordance with EN ISO 20344. This is enhanced when stitched holes are sealed to prevent water seeping through holes.

Footwear Styles

Apart from the official safety features of footwear, the style of the boot itself has an impact on how effective it is for performing the job.

Padded Ankle Boot
Activities involving a lot of bending and stretching can make the ankle area vulnerable to twisting and sprains. A snug fitting ankle boot will reduce the risk of these injuries.
Hiker Boots
These are ideal for activities involving uneven surfaces, protection from mud, water and rocks. They should protect the ankle but not too restrictive.
Rigger Boots
These are slip on safety boots which also protect the wearers shins. However they do not offer enough ankle protection for activities involving stretching and twisting.
Safety Shoe
A formal style of safety footwear, suitable for short visits to site to protect from falling objects from above or puncture from below.
Wellington
Ultimate weatherproof protection available in safety and non safety.
Fireman Boot
These boots should protect the wearer from falling objects and puncture underfoot whilst also providing a Heat resistant outsole. Additional qualities would be to provide energy absorption, insulation against cold and hot temperatures and excellent grip.