Attire with proper accessory creates an initial impression about one’s personality. Everything is meant for a purpose. The clothes we wear are for covering and protecting our body from different climatic situations.
In summer we prefer light cotton clothes with casual slippers to keep us cool. In winter heavy woollen clothes with shoes or boots are a must to keep our body warm. Similarly among your accessories, your shoes are to protect your feet and make you feel comfortable throughout the day.
Footwear is also considered as an item of fashion and decoration. Different types of footwear are meant for different situations and environments. Some are just for protection and comfort. Some are for work purposes. One of the most known footwear meant for workers are steel toe boots.
Here, in this article, we will explore the various types and reasons of these steel-toe boots being worn, which will help the workers in their work-field.
The Reasons Behind Wearing Steel-toe Boots By Workers:
1.) Just like the front liners, workers also deserve the best set of protective gear and accessory. Steel toe boots fulfil one of these requirements of the workers by providing efficient foot protection.
2.) OSHA regulates that any job with the risk of piercing, falling, slipping or electrical hazards, should have proper footwear.
3.) For workers working with nails, falling blocks, heavy materials and forklifts, steel toe boots is a must. Your steel toe boots is an added level of your safety which will prevent you and your feet from potential hazards.
4.) Workers working in a construction site should be very careful of bricks, lumber or heavy materials from falling on their toes, by always having their steel toe boots on. Though many have a misconception that these boots are uncomfortable, but they should at least give it a try to find out what level of quality and comfort it serves.
5.) Steel toe boots can withstand up to 75 pounds of falling pressure up to 3 yards. This means immense protection. These shoes are slip-resistant, preventing workers from accidents and damaged foot.
6.) Working around nails or sharp objects can sometimes result into punctures or deep cuts of your feet. Your safety boots will protect you from such.
7.) Steel toe boots, initially gives a heavy classic look, in the minds of many. But let me tell you- nowadays these boots are available in lots of different styles.
8.) Electricians working in high voltage areas where there is stagnant water or build-up of static, can protect themselves from severe shocks or burns with their steel toe boots on.
9.) Long hours of hard work throughout the day sometimes become tiring for workers, resulting into exhaustion and discomfort. Workers can overcome their fatigue and have a better day with protection and comfort, by wearing proper fitted footwear (steel toe boot) in their work place.
10.) Doesn’t matter if it is a hot sunny day, or its raining heavily or during snowfall in winter, steel toe boots can efficiently protect you from adverse climatic conditions. Moreover, as these boots are waterproof, they help to keep your feet dry.
11.) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory at your work place according to OSHA and US Department of Labour. If, by any chance you fail to do so, you may be dismissed from your job.
12.) Workers working in jobsites surrounded by hazards, need proper protection from head to toe. When we talk about a construction site worker, we expect a person with proper uniform accompanied by a hard hat and a steel toe boot. This completes his appearance.
13.) Steel toe boots are said to be long-lasting. They are trustworthy and don’t get worn out quickly. Your steel toe boots in your feet will never let you down at your work-place.
14.) Workers working in forests can sometimes end up by getting snake bites. Steel toe boots prevent workers from this situation because snakes can’t pierce through steel.
Probably steel toe boots, is the most reasonable footwear out there providing safety, durability and comfort. So why look for anything else? Go, grab your pair! You have enough reasons to choose these boots, keeping the benefits in view.
Steel toe boots provide protection and safety to working people, worldwide. Who are these workers?
“Steel-toe”, the name itself clarifies about a boot(footwear), having a toe area made of steel.
And this type of footwear is not meant for strolling, jogging, any household work or normal activity, that we can easily make out from our common sense.
It is the footwear meant for workers whose feet are exposed to various hazards at their respective workplace.
Let us make a list of these people:
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- Workers at construction sites
- Industrial workers
- Electricians
- Labourers
- Mechanics
- People working around heavy equipment.
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The steel toe boots prevent these people from crushing, lacerations, falling down, burns, cuts, punctures, slipping and other natural hazards.
As said earlier, these steel toe boots are of various types. Just choose your pair as per your requirement. Our feet and toes help us to walk, run, jump and most importantly, balances our body. Life would have been very difficult without our feet and toes. So they should be taken good care of.
Wearing your safety work-boot for 10-12 hours at a stretch can sometimes cause discomfort. It is quite advisable to wear your boots with a good pair of durable socks to maintain your comfort zone.
Long ago, once there was a myth that steel toe boots are incapable of preventing your toes from heavy falling objects.
But the popular TV Show “Myth-Busters” proved this wrong after valid test.
Their experiments resulted into the fact that steel toe boots are meant and designed for the protection of one’s feet and hence preventing their toes from any type of hazard.
ASTM Standard F2413 of Safety Footwear
American Society of Testing and Materials or ASTM has certain standard and testing criteria regarding the selection of safety footwear.
ASTM has found steel toe boots as footwear which is safe as well as impact and compression resistant.
Their compliance involves testing for conductive protection, protection from electrical shocks, metatarsal protection, static dissipative protection and puncture protection.
If any footwear meets all these criteria, then is marked as a safety gear by ASTM.
This mark is a 4 line code surrounded by a rectangular border.
The manufacturer’s logo, trademark or name is marked on the cap.
The identification number and cap size is marked in a visible area.
The 4 lines have their own designation.
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- Line 1 is for the ASTM F2413-XX designation with the year of the standard in the place of the ‘XX’ shown.
- Line 2 tells us whether the footwear is for Male (M) or Female (F) along with its resistance capacity for impact (1/75) and compression (C/75). The number signifies that the shoe is resistant to 75 foot pounds of force.
- Line 3 and 4 shows the additional features of protection against electrical hazards, static build-up and punctures.
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FAQ:
Let us make a list of some other additional information regarding the usage of steel toe boots by workers.
1.) Steel toe boots provide protection. How?
Steel toe boots and their sole is designed to prevent your toes and upper foot bones from injuries caused by crushing, heavy falling objects, slipping, punctures etc.
2.) Is it a fact or a myth that steel toe boots are dangerous?
There was a myth, long time back, that if any heavy object falls on your boots, the steel in it can curl in and cut off your toes.
3.) Is it safe enough to wear these boots when you are around horses?
Sometimes steel toe safety boots can be worn while doing groundwork with horses to prevent yourself from getting stepped on by the animal, but do not go for open toe shoes when you are with horses.
4.) What is the weight resistance capacity of the steel toe boots?
According to ASTM rating, steel toe boots can resist up to 2,500 pounds or 1,133 kg of compression.
5.) Are steel toe boots considered illegal?
TSA has the legal authority to check all the items one is carrying, no matter if the items are personal or not. Unless, steel toe boots are not there in their list of banned items, one is allowed to wear them.
6.) Are steel toe boots worthy enough?
Steel toe boots are considered as the safest footwear for workers working in warehouses or around heavy equipment etc. because of the protection provided by its steel cap around the toe area of these boots. This footwear is always a better choice.
7.) Does, wearing steel toe boots everyday, have a positive or negative effect?
It is quite true that steel toe boots provide good protection but its daily use for a long time period can weaken the muscles, tendons and ligaments of your feet, making them unstable.
8.) What is the reason of getting hurt by steel toe boots?
The continuous movement of your feet inside your boot can cause you pain. To avoid getting hurt, insert an insole in your boot which will reduce the movement of your feet.
9.) Why are boots better than shoes?
Boots are more durable, long lasting and protects your feet from potential dangers in comparison to shoes.
Winding Up:
Henceforth, from next time onwards, whenever you are planning to step out for work, never ever think twice about putting on your steel-toe footwear.
Just keep going without any hesitation.
Your footwear is trustworthy, safe and durable and my above article has demonstrated it.
Remember, your feet is precious and they deserve a comfortable and protective footwear like the steel toe ones.
We always intend to come up with valid solutions to your various problems.
Till then, stay tuned!
Be safe and happy!
Keep on smiling because your smile is the best curve on your body!
