In 2018, over 144 construction site workers lost their lives while on duty. This statistic reports the lowest number of accidents since 2003. It is good to note that whilst the loss has been reduced significantly, it hasn’t been ruled out entirely. The loss of life is an unrecoverable tragedy for the friends and families of the workers. Therefore, it becomes necessary to introduce protective gear to avoid fatalities and reduce the impact of accidents.
Shoes as protective gear
Many questions can arise about how a shoe can provide safety against possible severe accidents at work sites. The right shoe would cushion your foot via an excellent and comfortable midsole. Surely, shoes can’t take all the jerks that your body might suffer while working, but they can reduce the impact of the force and protect your feet at the very least.
The good thing is that one doesn’t need to wait or stroll through countless, useless shops anymore. Numerous websites such as workwearhub can provide you with enough insights into the shoe domain, and browsing through their various products you will find the best choice for yourself.
Different Shoes as Protective Gear
While a shoe sounds like an uncomplicated thing, it too has evolved to cater to various problems. These are the different types of shoes you could choose from depending on your specifications:
- Safety-toed Shoes – These shoes can provide your feet with enough safety against falling objects, or rolling hazards. They are steel-capped with enough reinforcements to offer optimum protection to your toes.
- ESD Shoes – Workers who operate in dangerous surroundings with the potential risk of having developed static electricity must wear these kinds of shoes. There are sites where an unprecedented accumulation of static electricity can prove to be hazardous, and therefore, workers or engineers need to get themselves a pair of appropriate shoes.
- EH rated Boots – These particular types of shoes can protect workers from electrical hazards. Engineers or workers who jointly operate with electronic circuits or in similar industries, which are exposed to open wires and risk an electric shock, can make a wise choice by investing here. EH rated boots are procured after The American Society for Testing and Materials or ASTM has tested them and declared them fit for usage in an environment loaded with electrical products.
- Shoes with Metatarsal Guards – There are sites where workers need to lift heavy-weighing objects of machinery or other equipment. The heavyweights can cause permanent damage to their back or metatarsal bones, and therefore, with the protective gear strapped with metatarsal guards, you can ensure the safety of your feet. One must choose the shoes which can match all the standards set by Australian and New Zealand Safety Footwear Standard AS/NZS 2210.3 so, that the safety of any worker isn’t compromised.
- Logging Boots – Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715 provides full information about the standards of the boots that are needed to be fulfilled by companies releasing their logging boots. They are made with cut-resistant material to assure protection for the worker’s feet while using chainsaws.
Moreover, there are timber boots or leather boots, which specifically safeguard feet and lower legs from heat. They can play a vital role in providing safety to the workers against heat and from reptiles. As you can understand, it is essential to judge your surroundings and assess them accurately before deciding to supplement your staff with the right footwear.
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