Health and safety should be one of the topmost priorities in all circumstances. Whether you're conducting renovation works in your home or you're in contact with hazardous objects or chemicals at your workplace, you need to invest in a good pair of safety shoes which fits your job and your feet. High quality safety footwear would be robust, reliable and made up of durable materials, while still oozing comfort.

Why are safety shoes important?

Safety shoes standards still need to be endorsed and promoted by more local companies, and although there is a great deal of awareness, seeing workers with inappropriate footwear is still common. Why are safety shoes crucial?

High quality safety shoes have several protective features which reduce the chances of getting injured while at your workplace. Foot injuries at work are very common occurrences throughout the world as employers and workers are not investing in the right footwear. A good pair will avoid fractures, sprains, burns, cuts and electric shocks, which may be the result of falling objects, slips, or stepping on sharp tools. Feet need the utmost protection, especially in industrial settings where you're in direct or indirect contact with hazardous objects, chemicals and heavy duty machinery, as they would be in high risk of injury.

Apart from repelling the chances of foot injuries, safety footwear will result in more efficient work, as you'll be more confident in your job, knowing you're protected against potential harm.

If you're a business owner, providing safety shoes will avert the chances of being sued for work injuries.

Where can you buy safety shoes from?

If safety footwear is not provided by the company, you'd need to find a good pair with the relevant features yourself. Safety footwear may be available at hardware stores, industrial equipment outlets, tool shops, outlets specialising in safety equipment and at shoe shops.

The same suppliers may also provide other protective supplies, such as gloves, aprons, helmets, protective earmuffs, safety goggles, high visibility vests, ropes and harnesses, welding masks, knee pads, and any other gear to protect all your body parts. These supplies should be worn or used in conjunction with safety footwear.

Additionally, shoe accessories you can find include laces, soles, socks, polish and other cleaning products.

What do you need to consider when choosing safety shoes?

Suppliers would be able to guide you on the type of footwear which would best suit your kind of job. However, here are some factors to look out for when selecting a pair of safety shoes:

Shoe type

Apart from standard safety shoes, you may also opt for other types of footwear, such as safety boots, sandals, clogs, trainers and PVC boots. You can find different styled footwear for men, women and kids, lightweight and orthopaedic options, standard and wide shoes, and low, middle, and high cut footwear.

Specialised features of safety shoes

Before selecting your footwear, you need to assess potential hazards at your workplace and evaluate your needs. There's a diversity of protective characteristics which you can have included in your insole, midsole and outsole:

• shock absorbing features in case a hard object falls on your feet
• reinforced steel, aluminium or composite toes
• ESD (electrostatic discharge) approved to conduct static electricity away from your body
• oil and chemical resistance
• puncture resistance
• water resistance
• metal free shoes
• Heat or cold resistance
• Ankle arch support
• Slip resistance

Shoe Material

The material you choose depends on the type of environment you're working in, be it a hot, cold, wet or dry environment. PVC boots, for instance, are slip resistant shoes, specially designed for people working in a food processing environment.

Type of industry

Where are you wearing safety shoes? No matter how harsh or full of risks the workplace may be, you'll find any footwear you need to stay safe. Safety footwear would be a must if you work in construction, engineering, in a medical space or in a food processing environment, in automotive, agriculture or in a chemical handling facility, and in any other heavy industry setting.

Shoe Brand

Brands which are imported by local suppliers are varied so make sure you purchase a renowned brand to ensure a long lifespan.

Shoe Prices

How much do safety shoes cost? Price depends on the brand, material, type of footwear and integrated features, but they'll generally be more expensive than regular shoes. However, in comparison with standard footwear, they boast a longer life span due to the durable materials and features which they're made up of.

When should you replace safety shoes?

Safety shoes should serve you for the years to come, but wear and tear is a standard occurrence. They may get damaged as a result of a sharp impact, making them less resistant, or soles may wear out, reducing their grip. Do buy a new pair as soon as they're impaired in order to guarantee safety at all times.

How can you take care of safety shoes?

Your safety footwear needs regular maintenance if you want its features to remain functional for the years to come. Here are some useful tips:

• Scrub thick dirt off using warm water and soap and finish off with shoe wax
• Don't put in washing machine
• Don't put them out to dry in the sun as the material will get damaged
• Refrain from carrying out your own DIY adjustments as you'll spoil any specialised features they may have
• Store in a shoe box
• Ideally purchase two pairs and alternate between them for optimum functionality