Choose the right footwear
We offer a comprehensive range of both safety and non-safety footwear designed for use in the majority of industries. It is important that you choose the correct industrial footwear for your specific working environment. We would therefore recommend that in the first instance a risk assessment is carried out to ensure that the correct protection level and style of footwear is selected.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Assess the risks within the working environment to either remove or protect against the hazards. This must involve defining the job or work area, recognising the risks, and identifying the correct method of reducing them i.e. by removing, controlling, or by choosing suitable safety footwear.
Safety features include:
- Impact resistant toe caps
- Pierce resistant midsoles
- Anti-static soles
- Sole resistance to heat
- Resistance to cold
- Water resistance
- Resistance to fuel oil
- Resistance to chemicals
- Slip resistant sole properties
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
There are various methods of attaching the sole of the footwear to the upper material; this has some considerable influence on product selection depending on the environment in which the footwear will be used.
- Direct vulcanised rubber soles - A traditional construction method which gives excellent durability in the harshest of environments.
- Direct injection moulding - Again a strong construction method used with either one density of polyurethane (known as single density) or two densities, either polyurethane or an inner density of polyurethane and an outer density of nitrile rubber (known as dual density). Both types provide reduced weight with improved comfort and flexibility, without any compromise in performance.
- Goodyear welted - Another traditional form of construction where the sole is stitched to the upper material, again a very strong method, which would generally be slightly heavier in use than the above. Suitable for most dry environments.
- Cemented - This is exactly what it suggests; the sole unit is preformed and cemented (glued) onto the upper material creating a strong bond.
- Cushioned soles - when standing for long periods of time.
- Wellington boot - The vast majority of Wellingtons in use are direct injection moulded from either raw PVC with varying quantities of nitrile rubber or Polyurethane, both types provide excellent flexibility and resistance to chemicals.
SELECTING THE CORRECT MATERIALS
Selecting the correct materials is critical, especially when contaminants are present. By choosing the correct material the maximum lifespan of footwear can be achieved.
- Nitrile rubber sole - for higher temperatures, oil and solvent resistant.
- Polyurethane soles - for general purpose use, oil and solvent resistant.
- Anti-static footwear - to dissipate static electricity.
- Water repellant leather uppers - where there is an occasional exposure to water.
- Micro-fibre (wat-out) uppers - where greater resistance to certain chemicals and oil is required.
- PVC, PVC nitrile, rubber and polyurethane uppers - where there is long term exposure to water and certain chemical applications.
- Cambrelle/Thinsulate/Thermalite linings - for greater comfort and temperature control of feet.
- Gore-tex, Sympatex and other waterproof membranes inside a leather upper - allow the feet to breath whilst offering complete protection from water penetration.
FOOTWEAR STANDARDS
Safety Footwear is governed by a European safety standard which forms part of legislation, it is therefore imperative that safety footwear is purchased from a reputable source and carries the fixed European Standard Mark EN345 for existing styles or the new conformity test ISO EN20345 that applies for recently certified or new products. To be certain as to which standard your footwear conforms, please refer to the label on the shoe or boot. All safety footwear that carries either mark has been tested in accordance with the standard set and has the following safety features:
- A safety toecap providing protection to 200 joules impact.
- In addition it has also passed a compression test, the upper material is of a certain quality and thickness which provides a level of abrasion resistance. The sole compound is also tested for heat resistance, abrasion, shock absorption, and its resistance to both oil and certain chemicals. It should be noted that the concentration and type of chemicals should be identified (see above risk assessment)
Within EN345 and EN20345 there are other features added to the safety footwear which are needed depending on the environment for which they are being used. Adding the following levels after the EN345 or EN20345 mark denotes such features. Examples are:
- SB - Safety Basic has all the features required to pass the standard
- SBP - As SB with pierce resistant midsole
- S1 - As SB with anti-static sole and cushioned heel area
- S1P - As S1 with pierce resistant midsole
- S2 - As S1 with water resistant upper
- S3 - As S2 with pierce resistant midsole
EN347 Occupational Footwear with anti-static and/or slip resistant properties.
To be certain as to which standard your footwear conforms, please refer to the label on the shoe or boot and/or the user guide that is provided in the box.
 | Denotes footwear with safety toecap. |
 | Denotes footwear with safety midsole. |
 | Denotes footwear suitable for women. |
 | Denotes footwear with anti-static soles. |
SIZING
Safety footwear often carries European sizing, please see below for a comparison table.
| SHOE SIZE CONVERSION TABLE This table is for guidance only as sizes are not standardised | ||||||||||||
| British | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Continental | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 46 | 47 | 48 |
MAINTENANCE
As with all footwear it is important that they are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, to ensure that the properties used at point of manufacture remain functional throughout the life of the footwear.