Safety boots and shoes are designed to mitigate certain risks in the workplace. Depending on the requirements of the job, as stipulated in a risk assessment, smart materials and unique sole patterns are just some of the specialised adaptations which can be used.
Find out how to identify which safety boots you need, and what makes these products suitable for reducing the risk of accident and injury in your workplace with help from Arco.
Risk Assessment
The first step in selecting suitable safety footwear for your working environment is to carry out a risk assessment. Some workplaces will already have an official assessment on file which you can refer to.
A risk assessment will help you identify the potential hazards in your workplace. Common ones include falling objects, electrostatic build-up and uneven flooring. Remember to consider seasonal risks too, such as slipping on icy walkways in the winter months.
You must also consider how changes to the workplace and processes could mitigate the highlighted risks first. For example, you could paint surfaces which are likely to cause a slipping hazard with non-slip paint. Then you should determine how PPE and safety footwear could further reduce the chance of accidents and injury.
Slips, Trips and Falls
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 stipulate that floors and routes in the workplace must be maintained, and as far as reasonably practicable, kept free from obstructions. Uneven, slippery or sloped flooring can increase the risk of slippage.
Accidental slips and falls can be caused by many factors, from spillages to icy weather. If there's a risk of employees slipping, tripping and falling at work, our range of specialist slip-resistant shoes and boots are one way to mitigate the risk.
The standards for safety, protective and occupational footwear includes optional categories of protection for products offering electrical safety features. There are three distinct electrical properties that can be claimed within the BS EN ISO 20345 suite of standards. These are:
Conductive and antistatic which deal with the prevention of static electricity build up within the wearer
Electrical insulation which deals with prevention of current flow
For high-risk electrical work environments, you need specialised footwear with electrical properties which has been tested to the highest standards.
From protective toe-caps to penetration resistant midsoles, prevent workplace injuries and find out what to look for in safety footwear once you’ve identified the potential hazards in a formal risk assessment.
We explain the safety footwear standards specified by BS EN ISO 20345 and identify the requirements for safety footwear. This helps to ensure your employees have the best protection and make sure you are compliant.
Browse our innovative range of safety footwear today. Offering a wide selection of trusted brands, innovative materials and in-house designs, you’ll find the best safety boots and shoes for your working environment here at Arco.