Let's start a discussion on the various parameters for selecting proper safety footwear for various industries. Let me clarify that safety footwear is not fashion footwear in which a toe cap has been incorporated; it's much more than that. Safety footwear protects the wearer from physical, chemical, and electrical hazards. I will try to answer all the questions related to safety footwear, its applicable standards, and the selection process.
From India, Kanpur
From India, Kanpur
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@Chuknoo,
Thanks for starting such a discussion in the forum. I hope the forum members will benefit from this initiative.
As I am basically from a cement manufacturing plant, what type of safety footwear should we recommend for our workers?
Awaiting to hear from you...
From India
730Thanks for starting such a discussion in the forum. I hope the forum members will benefit from this initiative.
As I am basically from a cement manufacturing plant, what type of safety footwear should we recommend for our workers?
Awaiting to hear from you...
From India
Dear Chuknoo,
Heartily welcome to CiteHR EHS forum. First of all, sorry for the delay. I come from a construction background in Africa, where it is always hot. Can you suggest the best type of safety footwear for the African weather?
Thanks in advance.
Dear all,
Note: I will be heading home for vacation starting tomorrow, and I will be off-site for 2 weeks. If I find the time, I will try to participate. Goodbye, see you soon...
From United States, Fpo
Heartily welcome to CiteHR EHS forum. First of all, sorry for the delay. I come from a construction background in Africa, where it is always hot. Can you suggest the best type of safety footwear for the African weather?
Thanks in advance.
Dear all,
Note: I will be heading home for vacation starting tomorrow, and I will be off-site for 2 weeks. If I find the time, I will try to participate. Goodbye, see you soon...
From United States, Fpo
Dear Raghu,
In hot weather, feet perspire profusely, and sweat, if accumulated within footwear, will provide a soggy and uncomfortable feeling. Furthermore, this will attract the breeding of bacteria/fungus and cause foul smells. Therefore, it is very important that you select the correct safety footwear. Here are a few basics:
1. The low ankle (derby) style is preferred over ankle boots.
2. The upper material should be breathable to allow air exchange to occur across it.
3. Waterproof leather is a BIG NO as it seals the pores through which air exchange occurs.
4. The best material is suede leather, but it is very difficult to maintain in your industry.
5. You can try cotton canvas as the upper material.
6. Some manufacturers provide two ventilation holes in the instep area, but they may allow water to seep into the footwear.
7. Avoid footwear with synthetic leather lining.
8. The best lining would be Cambrelle, which is a DuPont product.
9. Encourage your workers to store their footwear in a well-ventilated area when not in use.
10. You will need footwear with a steel toe cap and steel midsole.
I hope these tips help you in choosing the right safety footwear for your needs.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
From India, Kanpur
In hot weather, feet perspire profusely, and sweat, if accumulated within footwear, will provide a soggy and uncomfortable feeling. Furthermore, this will attract the breeding of bacteria/fungus and cause foul smells. Therefore, it is very important that you select the correct safety footwear. Here are a few basics:
1. The low ankle (derby) style is preferred over ankle boots.
2. The upper material should be breathable to allow air exchange to occur across it.
3. Waterproof leather is a BIG NO as it seals the pores through which air exchange occurs.
4. The best material is suede leather, but it is very difficult to maintain in your industry.
5. You can try cotton canvas as the upper material.
6. Some manufacturers provide two ventilation holes in the instep area, but they may allow water to seep into the footwear.
7. Avoid footwear with synthetic leather lining.
8. The best lining would be Cambrelle, which is a DuPont product.
9. Encourage your workers to store their footwear in a well-ventilated area when not in use.
10. You will need footwear with a steel toe cap and steel midsole.
I hope these tips help you in choosing the right safety footwear for your needs.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
From India, Kanpur
Hi Chuknoo,
We are dealing with acid at work. The shoes we are currently using have soles that do not last for more than 3 months. Gum boots are used by workers who directly handle it. However, I need to select appropriate footwear for the rest of the staff. Additionally, we have an electrowinning process, so the shoes should also be shockproof.
Kindly suggest...
Regards, Hansa
From India, Udaipur
We are dealing with acid at work. The shoes we are currently using have soles that do not last for more than 3 months. Gum boots are used by workers who directly handle it. However, I need to select appropriate footwear for the rest of the staff. Additionally, we have an electrowinning process, so the shoes should also be shockproof.
Kindly suggest...
Regards, Hansa
From India, Udaipur
What about Food Industry - similar climate like India - Beverage manufacturing juice & dairy?. Can you please suggest which is good for the regular worker and for cleaning labours.
From Kuwait
From Kuwait
Dear Hansa,
You need a good Nitrile rubber sole footwear. If Nitrile rubber is not working, it must have a lot of fillers as prices of nitrile rubber are quoting at an all-time high. The problem with you seems to be in the upper material which has to resist acid. Acid-resistant leathers are available, and we manufacture it, but it works well in a weak acid environment. You may try footwear with wide nitrile rubber foxing all around, as you see in sneakers. Nitrile rubber footwear provides the best Electrical Shock Resistance. Can you post a few photos of damaged footwear for better understanding?
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
You need a good Nitrile rubber sole footwear. If Nitrile rubber is not working, it must have a lot of fillers as prices of nitrile rubber are quoting at an all-time high. The problem with you seems to be in the upper material which has to resist acid. Acid-resistant leathers are available, and we manufacture it, but it works well in a weak acid environment. You may try footwear with wide nitrile rubber foxing all around, as you see in sneakers. Nitrile rubber footwear provides the best Electrical Shock Resistance. Can you post a few photos of damaged footwear for better understanding?
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
Dear Anish,
The food industry requires cleanroom footwear. They are minimal stitch footwear made from a new material called Lorica, which is washable yet breathable. It's around four times costlier than leather. Typically, they are all-white slip-on footwear that can be cleaned by simply wiping with a damp cloth. One very important aspect is slip resistance. I am attaching a photo of the same.
From India, Kanpur
The food industry requires cleanroom footwear. They are minimal stitch footwear made from a new material called Lorica, which is washable yet breathable. It's around four times costlier than leather. Typically, they are all-white slip-on footwear that can be cleaned by simply wiping with a damp cloth. One very important aspect is slip resistance. I am attaching a photo of the same.
From India, Kanpur
Dear Mr. Sundaram,
Sole is the soul of safety footwear. The sole has to be considered on various parameters such as:
1. Mode of attachment to the upper: Stitched, Stuck on, Goodyear welted/Direct Injected (molded), or a combination thereof.
2. Material of the sole, which can be a single material like rubber/PU/PVC/TPR/TPU, or a combination like Rubber+PU; TPU+PU, etc.
3. Density: Single or Double.
Typically, in safety footwear, a direct injected sole is preferred as the sole material attaches directly to leather fiber, providing a very good, long-lasting bond. It is important that the material used in the sole also acts as a good adhesive. PU is very good in this respect. In the case of PU, the direct injection is done by two processes. The Direct Pouring Process is inferior compared to the Direct Injection process where closed molds are used, and PU is injected with a lot of controlled parameters.
The material to be used in the sole depends on the electrical, thermal, and chemical hazards against which the footwear is meant to provide protection. PU is effective up to 120 degrees Celsius, while Natural Rubber is effective up to 160 degrees Celsius, and Nitrile is effective up to 300 degrees Celsius.
PU footwear is typically antistatic, while rubber footwear is for Electrical Hazard protection. For conductive footwear, rubber sole footwear is used.
Nitrile rubber provides good chemical resistance against acid, alkali, and fat.
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
Sole is the soul of safety footwear. The sole has to be considered on various parameters such as:
1. Mode of attachment to the upper: Stitched, Stuck on, Goodyear welted/Direct Injected (molded), or a combination thereof.
2. Material of the sole, which can be a single material like rubber/PU/PVC/TPR/TPU, or a combination like Rubber+PU; TPU+PU, etc.
3. Density: Single or Double.
Typically, in safety footwear, a direct injected sole is preferred as the sole material attaches directly to leather fiber, providing a very good, long-lasting bond. It is important that the material used in the sole also acts as a good adhesive. PU is very good in this respect. In the case of PU, the direct injection is done by two processes. The Direct Pouring Process is inferior compared to the Direct Injection process where closed molds are used, and PU is injected with a lot of controlled parameters.
The material to be used in the sole depends on the electrical, thermal, and chemical hazards against which the footwear is meant to provide protection. PU is effective up to 120 degrees Celsius, while Natural Rubber is effective up to 160 degrees Celsius, and Nitrile is effective up to 300 degrees Celsius.
PU footwear is typically antistatic, while rubber footwear is for Electrical Hazard protection. For conductive footwear, rubber sole footwear is used.
Nitrile rubber provides good chemical resistance against acid, alkali, and fat.
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
Dear Dipil,
First, my profuse apologies for not being able to reply immediately.
When examining injuries sustained in the Cement Industry, the primary culprits are Slip, Trip, and Fall incidents, followed by injuries from Falling objects and electrical accidents. Occasionally, injuries also occur due to contact with hot cement.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to wear high-quality safety footwear with EN marked Double Density PU soles, a steel toe cap, and a slip-resistant sole. It is recommended to obtain a slip resistance certificate, indicating markings such as SRA, SRB, or SRC, with SRC being the most effective. For areas with high temperatures, Nitrile Rubber soled footwear is necessary. Additionally, pay attention to the padding in the collar of the footwear as it helps prevent the entry of cement particles into your shoes.
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
First, my profuse apologies for not being able to reply immediately.
When examining injuries sustained in the Cement Industry, the primary culprits are Slip, Trip, and Fall incidents, followed by injuries from Falling objects and electrical accidents. Occasionally, injuries also occur due to contact with hot cement.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to wear high-quality safety footwear with EN marked Double Density PU soles, a steel toe cap, and a slip-resistant sole. It is recommended to obtain a slip resistance certificate, indicating markings such as SRA, SRB, or SRC, with SRC being the most effective. For areas with high temperatures, Nitrile Rubber soled footwear is necessary. Additionally, pay attention to the padding in the collar of the footwear as it helps prevent the entry of cement particles into your shoes.
Sudhir
From India, Kanpur
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