The Importance of Wearing Work Boots and How to Choose the Best Ones for You
Did you know that 25% of injuries that happen at the workplace are feet related? And only 1 out of 4 working men that had these injuries were wearing proper work boots. The other three didn’t care enough to wear safety footwear to protect themselves from potential hazards. This shows how important is what we wear on our feet during working hours. Why are work boots important? Besides safety, there are other reasons why you should wear work boots.
Why Should You Wear Work Boots?
Safety
Different work environments expose hard-working men and women to various hazards. Some of them are obvious, and some of them aren’t that much. For example, wearing workwear and work boots on the construction site is undeniable and even regulated by the law. The same goes for electricians, plumbers, railroad workers and similar job profiles.
The dangers at these job sites are evident: your feet can get injured by falling objects, sharp objects, electric shocks, water-related accidents and many more. What’s not so obvious is how dangerous it can be working in a kitchen, laboratory, factory or the countryside. A person working in a kitchen can easily slip over spilled liquids and oil. Working in a lab exposes people working there to too many chemicals, and some of them can easily get spilled over them and their feet. The same goes for people working in factories. And don’t let me get started on the importance of work clothes that hard-working cowboys need, from quality clothing pieces to safety hoof boots. You can find a variety of work boots Australia wide online but first, make sure you know the features your workplace requires.
Comfort
As work boots are manufactured with the working people’s needs in mind, they’re built to provide the comfort you need during work. Standing on your feet for the whole day can cause fatigue and stress to your body. Buying the best work boots for you is the simple solution to these problems and the key to comfort. When your feet are comfortable, the whole body feels well, feeling more energetic and highly motivated.
Productivity
The many ergonomic features that boots for working come with can make your body feel rested, which is crucial for being more productive and performing better. The better performance also comes from the peace of mind you have, not worrying about being uncomfortable or exposed to risks.
Durability
A pair of high-quality work boots can last for years, if not decades, when cared for properly. So, don’t worry if you spend a fortune on a pair of such boots, as it pays off in the long run. And once you buy them, make sure to take good care of them. How can you do this? Having an alternate pair of boots helps your boots stay fresher for a longer time, as you can wear them interchangeably. Although most of these boots are made to go through water and mud, you must clean them regularly. You should dry them off before wearing them again. And, if there’s a lot of mud on them, clean them with a soft brush once the mud has dried.
What Types of Work Boots Are There?
Safety Toe Boots
As their name suggests, these are types of boots that are built for one major purpose in mind: to keep you safe under any given circumstances. There are three basic types of safety boots:
- Steel Toe Boots. Built mainly out of steel, these are boots that provide the greatest protection. They are the first choice of construction site workers and people that work with heavy machinery. The only downside is that they’re pretty heavy, but wearing them for a certain period breaks them in to fit perfectly. You also get used to them with time, so weight doesn’t bother you in the long run. Safety first.
- Aluminium Toe Boots. These are the lighter alternative to the steel toes but are bulkier. Similar to them, they conduct temperature, and that’s why there’s a third type of safety boots.
- Composite Toe Boots. Made out of plastic, carbon fibre and kevlar, these boots are the most lightweight. They still offer a good level of protection and durability. The greatest perk is they don’t conduct temperatures, which makes them the best choice for situations that the first 2 don’t confront well.
Waterproof and Insulated Work Boots
If you’re working in an environment that includes a lot of water, wetness and mud, you need a pair of waterproof work boots. They keep your feet nice and dry, so you don’t get cold. Many of the waterproof options are also well insulated, providing protection from the cold weather and keeping you warm at extremely low temperatures.
Electrical Hazard Work Boots
These are boots that are specifically designed to help reduce possible injuries from electrical contact while working on dry surfaces. There are three basic kinds of electrical hazard boots:
- Non-conductive, labelled EH on the ASTM levels sewn on the inside of the boots. These are insulated to help ground electricity from accidental contact.
- Conductive, labelled CD protect workers in areas where static electricity is hazardous.
- Static dissipating boots, labelled SD or ESD, provide reasonable protection by limiting the electric build-up on your body.
If you work with electricity, inform yourself about the regulations and the type of boots that will provide the most protection for you.
How to Choose the Best Work Boots for You?
Knowing reasons why you should consider wearing boots for working and the various type of boots can help you determine what will be the best boot option for you. When looking for work boots Australia wide, make sure you shop from a reputable store that sells trusted brands like Caterpillar, FXD, Steel Blue, Hard Yakka, Mongrel and Redback. These brands are known for making high-end boots for every budget and work profile. By buying high-quality boots, you ensure safety, comfort and enhanced work productivity. All this will make you enjoy your work no matter the working environment and conditions.