THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY SHOES IN THE WORKPLACE

There are professional categories that call for safety footwear that meets specific requirements. We talk about construction, logistics, transport and many more.
An essential factor in clothing and safety shoes is the context in which the worker performs his duties: dry or wet environments, indoor or outdoor work, contact with chemicals, flammable, slippery surfaces, etc.

But why is it essential to wear safety shoes?

 

 

Safety shoes are essential to protect and prevent injuries as well as musculoskeletal disorders that, in the long run, can compromise the health of the worker.
 
The benefits of safety footwear in the workplace are undeniable. Still, not all safety shoes are the same, and it is crucial to always choose those that best meet the requirements of your profession and your specific needs.
 
Let’s see how to choose the best safety shoes.

 

1. WORK INJURY PREVENTION AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (EUROPEAN STANDARD)
2. U-POWER SAFETY FOOTWEAR FOR INDOOR
3. U-POWER SAFETY SHOES FOR OUTDOOR WORK

 

 

WORK INJURY PREVENTION AND MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (EUROPEAN STANDARD)

 

 

Prevention is essential to ensure the necessary safety of workers. For this, safety shoes must meet safety requirements, which may vary depending on the specific requirements of each profession and the needs of the worker.

The European standard defines guidelines for the correct use of safety shoes. This legislation requires that tests be carried out on safety shoes to ensure a proper protection standard.

The tests passed successfully allow the issuance of a certification expressed in the acronym of the protection class. Therefore, e.g., the acronym SRC will indicate that the shoe has been tested positively against slipping, while ESD is an antistatic shoe, and so on.
You can read our previous article to find out.

So why is it essential for some workers to wear safety footwear?

The answer is simple. To:

• ✔ Prevent injuries due to factors such as slipping;
• ✔ Avoid crushing due to the fall of heavy objects;
• ✔ Protect the foot from electric shock;
• ✔ Avoid the danger of injury from sharp objects (nails, splinters, etc.).
• ✔ Protect the foot from high temperatures or cold;

 

To give a few examples.

But safety footwear can also help us improve our performance and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Therefore, U-Power has decided to submit its footwear to additional tests to verify its performance in prevention and health protection. In this way, the worker has a higher quality guarantee that considers the protection against the risk of injury and pushes towards the well-being of the person in the short, medium, and long term.

 

 

U-POWER SAFETY FOOTWEAR FOR INDOOR

 

 

Did you know that in Great Britain, the most widely used safety shoes are the S1P safety shoes and the S3 safety shoes?

It would help if you based the choice of safety shoes on foreseeable risks. Consider the materials and objects you work with: do you handle loads or transport material? You will undoubtedly need a safety shoe with a toe cap in this case.

Let’s give some examples.

 

MECHANIC SAFETY SHOES

Working in contact with oils and substances that make the floor slippery, it will be advisable for you to wear shoes with non-slip protection, which you find indicated by the acronym SRC. An example of safety shoes that could fit you well is FLOYD from the Red Lion range. Considering that you have to move a lot, these shoes are excellent support during worktime thanks to the BASF Infinergy® insert that ensures your energy while you are working.

 

FACTORY SAFETY SHOES

Working with heavy materials, especially for those who are part of an assembly line, it is essential to have shoes that protect against accidental falling of heavy objects and an anti-perforation system. So like the NERO style from the Red Industry range that utilises the AirToe Composite safety toecap and the Save&Flex Plus textile anti-perforation system.

 

ELECTRICIANS’ SAFETY SHOES

The ideal shoes for your profession are those certified with the acronym A. If you work in the electronics industry or with explosive or flammable material, the perfect shoes for you will be those with ESD certification, which protects against electrostatic discharges. You can recognize it thanks to a yellow dot. RYDER from the Red 360 range is the right shoe for you, thanks to its anti-shock heel that helps you maintain the necessary grip.

 

 

U-POWER SAFETY SHOES FOR OUTDOOR WORK

 

 

However, other professions are held outdoors throughout the year, such as those working on construction sites. Therefore, workers are subject to risks caused by atmospheric agents.

Let’s see some examples of footwear ideal for these professions.

 

OUTDOOR SAFETY SHOES 

Do you do road work or work in the extreme cold? Opt for high safety shoes that reflect the requirements of the CI protection class, such as DUDE of the Gore-Tex range, able to maintain a constant foot temperature and isolate the foot from the cold coming from the ground.

 

GARDENERS’ AND FARMERS’ SAFETY BOOTS 

If you are a gardener or a farmer, you will know the weather and the possible accidents that can follow. The ground grip is crucial, just like the thermal insulation and the anti-slip and anti-abrasion properties that you can find in STEGO safety shoes from the Red Lion range.

 

CIVIL PROTECTION BOOTS

Due to their profession, the civil protection operator should always wear shoes that are rain-proof and protect them from extreme cold but also resistant, equipped with an anti-perforation system, and comfortable for working for several hours in continuous movement. You can find these features in KREED, high and comfortable safety shoes from the Red Over range equipped with the Infinergy insert for an optimal energy return at every step.

 

U-Power, work footwear for your safety.