An Introduction to Safety Footwear
Are you wearing the right safety footwear? Not sure? There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right safety footwear – legal requirements, job suitability and medical issues are all really important. In this blog post, we’ll go through the points you need to consider when buying footwear as an employer or employee working in the construction industry.
What the law says
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (1999) say that protective equipment must be provided when a risk has been identified and cannot be controlled in any other way. Of course, there are many risks for your feet that cannot be avoided or controlled. So protective footwear is a must for most construction environments. The law also states that the any personal protective equipment must be provided free of charge by the employer with instructions on how to use it safely.
Getting the right fit
Safety shoes don’t have to be uncomfortable. However, you should always make sure you get your feet properly measured. If there’s one pair of shoes you want to be the right size, it’s your safety shoes.
There should be around 1cm between your toes and the end of the shoe to allow for natural movement. Finally, don’t assume they will be the perfect fit when you first try them on, they may need breaking in, especially if they are made of leather. However, don’t ignore any pinches or hot spots when you try them on; this could indicate they are the wrong size.
Right for the job
Employers or supervisors will need to perform a thorough risk assessment to determine the personal protective equipment required for each job. Some jobs – most jobs in construction – will require steel toe caps to sufficiently protect the feet
Roles with a particular dress code can be most problematic with safety footwear. However, it’s important not to compromise on safety. Some suppliers will offer a range of styles in safety footwear to allow a bit more flexibility in terms of appearance.
The most important thing to remember is that the safety shoes meet European (EN) standards. These standards cover occupational footwear, safety footwear and protective footwear.
Looking for footwear?
At Manchester Safety, we offer a huge range of safety footwear to suit all needs. Our safety shoes and boots meet European standards and come in a variety of specifications and styles. Call 01706 364 943 or send an enquiry for more information about any of our rigorously tested products.
