Workplace safety should be the top priority for every employee. However, carelessness often creeps in during practice. This can lead to serious injuries. It can promote accidents that can lead to permanent health impairments.
Therefore, it is not only the responsibility of the individual, but also of their fellow human beings, to observe the safety regulations to be followed. So, if an employee sees that another has not put on their prescribed safety shoes, they should address the forgetful or deliberately negligent employee about it.
Safety awareness begins with the individual
However, regardless of this, regulations are created for wearing job-specific clothing. Rules are established that are based on the job-related hazard potential and are intended to eliminate identifiable safety risks.
Hands and arms, feet and legs are exposed to special dangers in many professions. Be it that a heavy metal part falls down – be it that heavy lifting vehicles are maneuvering, or that increased risks arise on the uncertain terrain of a construction site: With the right work shoes, serious injuries can be prevented or at least minimized in scope. The work shoes from Stabilus Safety GMBH have proven their worth in this regard for years.
Occupational safety is based on compliance with professional association or official safety regulations and internal company rules in the area of safety. Wearing special work shoes is standard in many professions. However, not just any safety shoes are worn, but those that must comply with the applicable safety class.
Own interpretations of the required safety features are not permitted. If penetration protection is required, the purchased professional shoe must also provide it. Already damaged work shoes must be replaced immediately to ensure the highest possible safety. In case of questions, the professional association can help, and if necessary, the manufacturer of safety shoes themselves.
What exactly are "safety shoes"?
Virtually any shoe that someone wears to work could be called a work shoe. However, only shoes that have certain properties are considered safety or occupational shoes. A distinction must be made between the terms "foot protection," safety shoe, protective shoe, occupational shoe, and gaiter. There is also knee protection.
Foot protection is a generic term for all the shoes just mentioned. Safety shoes must meet certain criteria. This can include, for example, a penetration-resistant sole or a steel toe cap. Protective shoes also have toe caps. However, these are designed for lower loads. Occupational shoes do not necessarily have to have a built-in toe cap. Instead, they can be equipped with other protective features, such as a raised rubber toe cap, a heavily profiled outsole, or a closed heel area. Protective gaiters are temporarily worn over the shoe. They usually also protect the shin region.
Occupational safety shoes are subject to certain safety classes. Depending on the degree of protection and the associated equipment, these are divided into classes S 1 – S 5, as well as classes SP and SB. Under appropriate regulations, an employer must provide and finance the necessary work shoes. In other cases, employees buy the professional shoes themselves. Beforehand, the possible risks and hazards in the respective professional field must be identified and clearly named.
Assessment of risks and potential hazards
Hazard potentials always exist when slippery floors, higher temperatures, moving machinery (parts), sharp edges, splinters, pointed objects, unevenness, or chemicals are involved. Now, it must be determined which risks are highly likely to lead to injuries. The safety clothing must be adjusted accordingly. While footwear at the workplace may correspond to the modern look of casual shoes – but only as long as the safety level is correct and safety at work is guaranteed.
This is guaranteed with shoes from Stabilus Safety Footwear. We constantly review standards, redefine protective details, and adapt our product range to current safety needs and regulations. The search for the right professional or safety shoe is facilitated by a detailed search function and a clear menu.
When it comes to occupational safety, we offer footwear that values aesthetics and function equally. The anti-static, heat-resistant, or pointed-object-protecting properties should not necessarily be visible in the footwear. Nevertheless, the look is not always suitable for everyday wear.
Lace-up shoes are not always suitable in professional life. Sometimes Velcro fasteners are more practical. Laces can pose a safety risk in certain activities. Covered laces serve to increase occupational safety.
Occupational safety aside: a comfortable fit, excellent fit, good climate properties thanks to integrated membranes, as well as ergonomic properties such as a removable insole or a padded footbed are absolutely essential in professional life. In addition, younger employees want the look to be right too. If this is not the case, there is a risk that penetration-resistant work shoes with built-in steel toe caps will be replaced by other work shoes that supposedly look "cooler."
However, multiple broken bones or even an amputated leg are anything but cool consequences of disregarded regulations. Therefore, wearing the prescribed occupational safety shoes is cooler than circumventing them. Incidentally, wearing requirements apply to all employees. If someone circumvents these, it can cost them insurance coverage in the event of an accident. Negligence is simply not cool.
Cheap footwear bought somewhere without a CE mark should be avoided. If the employer does not have to provide the occupational safety shoes, every employee can afford high-quality footwear thanks to good prices. Safety at work should be worth something for one's own health.
Use and testing of work shoes
All occupational safety shoes must be regularly checked for wear and tear, possible damage or age-related leaks. If errors or safety defects are discovered during such checks, new occupational safety shoes must be purchased.
A visual inspection is particularly important when working with electrical systems or chemicals. The service life of a work or safety shoe is limited. Anyone who saves at the wrong end will ultimately be responsible for the damage to the skeleton. It should actually be self-explanatory that everyone cares for and cleans their work shoes according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, a look at the footwear of workers proves that this is often not the case.
Genuine leather, which is frequently soaked through and then dried incorrectly, becomes prematurely brittle and fragile. Work shoes that are supposed to insulate against electrical currents must not get pressure marks due to improper storage, nor must they be bent. They should be stored standing in the employee's metal locker.
Work shoes suitable for various professions
Every professional field has its own risk profile. For electricians, occupational safety includes protection against fatal electric shocks. Any device under electrical voltage can mean a danger to life. Occupational safety shoes from class S3 have special properties. Among other things, they offer voltage insulation. For electrical voltages below 1,000 volts, S1 class shoes are also sufficient.
However, safety shoes are also required that prevent electrostatic charges. These charges can render sensitive devices or data carriers unusable. However, shoes that prevent such charges are not to be confused with work shoes that protect the employee against electrical voltage. The former do not provide this!
Protective footwear suitable for automotive mechatronics technicians usually belongs to safety class S3. Here, additional dangers from oil or other fuels are present. In general: Safety class S1 always ensures the minimum level of protective functions. Handling liquids already requires safety class S2.
For automotive mechatronics technicians, hazards lie in objects lying around or fuels that require penetration protection. Work shoes with plastic caps comply with the same safety standards as shoes with steel caps. Nevertheless, steel caps are more recommendable as they can more effectively protect against cuts or puncture wounds.
Painters sometimes work on construction sites, where dangers and potential risks abound. These come from above or below, or from the side. Here too, S3 safety shoes are a good choice. If an apartment is being renovated beyond a construction site, the painter should also think about his own safety. Here too, something can fall on his foot.
