We answer some of those questions you may have been faced with when having to choose safety footwear.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
We all like to know were making the right choice when it comes to purchasing any form of footwear, but for anyone whose job relies on having their feet safe and always protected, functionality is an essential element.
While any footwear certified in accordance with safety standards is obviously your first jumping off point with safety footwear, theres always other requirements and preferences that lead to the decision-making process.
Below are some questions you may - or may not - have thought about when faced with having to choose safety footwear.
Once the domain of offshore oil rig workers, regardless of what you may have heard, rigger boots havent been banned by the HSE. Theres no concrete evidence available that rigger boots have be directly at fault in any work-based incidents.
However, some construction companies have deemed that due to the loose-fitting style - ironically the USP which offers a lifeline to oil riggers surrounded by nothing but ocean - the boots could run the risk of causing foot and ankle injury.
The popularity of rigger boots as a general-purpose work boot is largely down to two obvious benefits comfort and cost. The very nature of the style means theyre easy to slip-on and pull-off, with no laces to trip over. The boots faux fur lining is incredibly enticing to workers, particularly on those cold, gloomy months where the prospect of feet being kept warm and cosy is undeniably a much-needed morale boost.
Affordability-wise, your average pair of riggers wont break the bank and offers an appealing alternative for those who have been offered the kind of shoe allowance from their employer which doesnt stretch to some of the more expensive lace-up boots on the market.
Additionally, alongside steel toe caps, Blackrock riggers offer the additional security of a protective midsole, making this form of safety footwear a functional and aesthetic choice for many.
The reality is that safety and comfort should go hand-in-hand with workwear. The nature of this type of footwear means the wearer will be largely active throughout the life of the product. This means that comfort is an integral part of the design process.
Poorly fitting footwear isnt just uncomfortable. It can cause a whole range of foot issues such as blisters, toenail damages and plantar fasciitis, the likes of which may ultimately impact upon the wearer ability to do their job properly.
Youll find a large variety of fully waterproof products in our collection, which are applicable for all industries.
For those roles which require prolonged standing and walking - such as a warehouse operative we have safety shoes which include EaziStep padded and breathable insoles which offer that much-needed comfort.
But like any other new footwear, theres the usual means of ensuring any initial discomfort is avoided. It wont harm you to put a little time before your first day on the job in conditioning your shoes to bend and stretch with you as you walk.
According to the /22 HSE Workplace Health and Safety Report, slips, trips or falls accounted for 30% of all workplace injuries a slight rise from the previous years reporting. This form of non-fatal injury is by some distance the most common in the workplace, which only emphasises the importance that the PPE offered in this area is up to the demands of lessening such a risk.
The HSE has developed a GRIP rating scheme with the purpose of allowing footwear users to identify suitable slip resistant footwear as a control measure to reduce their risk of slipping accidents.
This has been at the forefront of Blackrocks footwear design during our recent product development process, hence why it was particularly gratifying for us to achieve a 4-star GRIP rating.
Our HexaGrip sole is available in the occupational footwear range we sell (more on this below) and features hundreds of small hexagons. Its a shape which is often considered strong and efficient as it can distribute stress evenly across its structure and presents a large surface area which is vital for effective grip, thus reducing the chances of slipping.
First things first, its prudent to note that occupational footwear adheres to the requirements in the EN standard, rather than the EN safety standard.
Although the difference between both standards is largely down to the exclusion of a steel toe cap in occupational footwear, theres other benefits to Blackrocks occupational footwear which could ultimately be instrumental in your decision-making. One of these may be particularly appealing to those who work in the emergency services.
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These are often transmitted by pre-used needles or other sharps puncturing the skin and any other accidental punctures, cuts or abrasions.
This kind of occupational footwear is a huge benefit for hospital staff and paramedics who are most likely to encounter blood spills at work. Whilst the probability of other emergency services encountering blood spills is lower, the repercussions of infection can obviously be huge.
Whats more, our full occupational footwear range is bloodborne pathogen resistant so why wouldnt you protect yourself against this potential hazard?
Occupational footwear is associated largely with the police force, where protection and performance are two of the major requirements in the ability to maintain public safety. Blackrock's own range features a metal-free, penetration-resistant midsole, which comes as standard in all seven styles a huge selling point for those in the force.
However, the demands of a paramedic are such that they certainly require extra stability when it comes to that the fast-paced, high-pressured daily challenges of working in that environment.
But its not just paramedics who are constantly using on and off their feet - delivery drivers, postal service and those in the transport sector need that security and sturdiness.
The performance gained by wearing occupational footwear in those industries outside of law enforcement not only ensures that individuals can perform their job to the best of their ability, but the protective characteristics of occupational footwear can also offer additional peace of mind for wearers.
If you are just doing the safety shoe business or planning to do import safety shoes business.
After reading this guide you will be very clear what is the safety shoe standard and how to choose safety shoes in your field.
Here you can find a lot of knowledge about safety shoes that you didnt know.
Safety shoes or safety boots are also called PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for protecting feet at workplaces.
They prevent injuries due to splinters, chemicals, rope loops under tension, hot objects, rotary machinery, pinch points, and slippery surfaces.
Sharp piercing edges and heavy rolling or falling objects are included in the list.
The initials stand for Personal Protective Equipment.
It is equipment or clothing that protects workers from physical hazards at the workplace from head to toe.
Safety shoes are among the most important equipment.
Safety shoes have different levels of protection and are often used in various industrial fields to achieve the purpose of protection.
Some of the safety shoes design style is from ordinary shoes, it looks the same, such as the sporty style, but in fact, the toe of safety shoes is relatively wide, because there is have a steel toe inside
Safety shoes are heavier than ordinary shoes because of the steel plate or steel plate.
China leads the safety shoes manufacturing business.
There are 12.6 billion pairs of shoes produced each year.
The total production exceeds groups of exporters in other countries.
A strong currency, wage increases and paid overtime (that give domestic consumers increased discretionary income), and an extensive market help maintain a vast output.
Almost three-quarters of the 98 percent of shoes manufactured abroad come from China.
In , Chinese footwear revenue totaled $58.3 million.
The U.S. leads in sales, but the share of Asias global shoe industry is 54 percent.
You can find any type of safety shoes in China
Steel toe leather safety shoes use in common workplace
Light steel toe work shoes are a popular style in the light industry.
Sport safety shoes become very popular among young men and women in the safety footwear industry
Sometimes the military often has dangerous missions that require protective boots.
Combat boots with a waterproof upper will keep your feet dry when training in the rain or jungle.
Safety gumboots made of PVC materials or rubber materials, Steel toe and midsole with steel plate protection
Woodland safety shoes made of the protective toe and insert anti-nail plate, its all the range in outdoor
Waterproof safety shoes have a waterproof membrane lining that you can walk in the water without getting wet.
Velcro design for safety shoes easy take on and take off
Metal-free safety shoes are made of the plastic toe and eyelets, a midsole made of non-metallic fabric
Essential standard safety footwear for the power industry, including conductive, insulated shoes, insulation range 8-36KV
Often used in food processing plants, mostly white in color, basically reach up to S2 standard or higher.
Office safety shoes are used by the executive manager who always to inspection the work ground.
Metatarsal safety shoes popular in the Canada and U.S. markets, where workers believe that in addition to protecting their feet toe, the backs of their feet are also important.
You also could OEM safety shoes in China manufacturer
Video about safety shoes made in China:
20 years ago it was very economical to import safety shoes from China.
Import from China can save up to 50% of cost compared to production in Euro or US market.
A large number of foreign safety footwear giants chose to import directly from China.
Nowadays, with the reform of Chinese manufacturing technology.
Although the cost is increased, the products still very competitive, and the current price range is around $7-20 (factory price of standard safety shoes).
There is a logical process for choosing safety shoes.
In a basic workshop, choose a shoe that reaches SB, SRC, S1, or S1P SRC.
In Heavy-duty require a sturdy boot with full standards such as S3 SRC
In the frozen industry, in cold working environments insulated boots are top recommended.
In the glass factory, you must choose cut-resistant protection against sharp items such as glass, nails.
In the electric system, work boots should have an electrical hazards rating.
Our customers work in a variety of different areas of industry.
Different industries requirements different functional safety shoes.
Military safety boot used to military Industries
Heat resistant safety shoes used to metallurgical Industry
Anti -chemical resistant safety shoes used to Chemical Industry
Electrical safety shoes used in the electronics industry
Lightweight safety shoes used to light industry
S1P or S3 safety boot used in the mining industry
Welding safety shoe design with used to weld industry
Oil-resistant safety shoes are used in the oil field industry.
Cut resistant safety shoes used in the cutting or glass industry
Your safety shoe order mass production in our factory takes about 30 days.
The whole process from raw material to finished product.
1.Raw material quality control into the warehouse.
2.Cutting leather and accessories out of the warehouse.
3.Assigned each sewing machine department to assemble the quarter.
4.Button department punching eyelet.
5.Assemble department fit toe cap shape vamp.
6.Sole department with injection PU sole or cemented sole.
7.Packaging department to tide the lace, pairing shoes, put footbed, package color box.
Safety gumboot, Water-resistant, or Waterproof safety shoes in best in wet environments.
Those types reach S3 S3 WR, S4, S5 ranting, those grade of shoes have specific waterproofing features on the upper surface and waterproof safety shoes are made of waterproof membrane Dynamic water resistance testing up to 60-120mins.
Static water resistance can also be tested.
You can, for instance, use lightweight safety shoes for outdoor activities as well as protective footwear. But safety shoes for heavy industry are not suitable for a long journey
Womens safety shoes including white safety shoes, pink outdoor safety shoes, high-heeled womens safety shoes, these are all womens safety shoes.
Some jobs require women to operate or have women workers, safety shoes are necessary, such as nursing, food shop packing, and laboratory.
All protective shoes undergo standardized tests concerning impact, compression, metatarsal, conduction rating, electrical hazards, penetration resistance, and static dissipation, this is a basic safety test requirement, you could see in as below chart is different standards in a different country.
EN, EN, EN test standard for CE
ASTM F-11/F test standard for OSHA
AS/NZS -3 test standard for CSA
SANS / EN South AfricanSII/ EN IsraelQAS/AS/NZS .AustralianASTM / ANSIUSACE EN EuropenCE EN South AmericanCSA Z195-09CanadaJISJapanLAChinaTuv laboratory Applus or Bureau VeritasMoroccoCSA is safety shoes test standard from the Canada safety association group, founded in .
The CSA safety shoes not only test safety shoe products but also factory evaluation and test training.
After approval, each batch product will remark logo, such as CE.
As below is a test item for CSA safety shoes
The product must pass the A, D, H protection function, the rest can be followed up with optional testing if you need it.
You can research the company name that approves CSA.
AS below is CSA product standard labels for your reference
OSHA mandates protective footwear in areas having the potential danger or foot injuries.
The shoes must meet ASTM International standards.
ASTM -18 test method of safety shoe that offers a sufficient protection level.
Test a steel or composite toe protection, midsole puncture, and so on.
You can see below the test required for ASTM safety shoes
ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Metatarsal boots are required when rolling or lifting heavy and typically metal items such as loaded drums of liquid or train wheels.
When the hazard is more significant due to sharp surfaces that concentrate or focus the weight is dropped, metatarsal guards are recommended.
The likelihood or risk of an object dropping is also a consideration.
Jianlida Product Page
A rule of thumb is metatarsal protection for a median weight of 65 pounds dropped less than four feet or a rolling object weighing more than 50 pounds.
You always cant how to make a spec in your safety shoes products
After reading this chart, you will easily understand what spec you should pack in your safety shoes products.
OB: without any safety standards the same as a normal boot.
SRC leave good for anti-slip and energy absorbing heel, like walking shoes.
SB: only with 200J safety toe cap+energy absorbing heel
S1:200J safety toe cap +anti-static sole
S2: S1+upper water-resistant +energy absorbing heel
S1P: S1+penetration resistant midsole +energy absorbing heel
S3: has the safety elements of S1P+water resistant upper
As below is the rating for the outsole
Double density Polyurethane injection,cold-resistant-10C
Double density Polyurethane rubber combine injection, reach to HRO
Double density Polyurethane TPU combine injection, cold-resistant -20C-30C
Excellent Shock absorb, light and soft cemented sole, outsole could reach to HRO
Double density rubber cemented sole cold-resistant -50C heat resistant 300c
Thermoplastic rubber injection slip-resistant well but heavy the same as all rubber
You should choose the correct toe cap for your OEM safety shoes, as below many different types of toe cap for your reference :
At one time, steel toe shoes were the safety champions.
Aluminum is a bit lighter but a little bulkier.
The development of better alloys has buyers rethinking the choice.
Alloy toe shoes can be safe and much lighter.
Pros and cons of steel toe shoes include:
+ Maximum protection for feet
+ Adds little cost to the shoes
Alloy toe pros and cons
+ Do not conduct electricity
+ Lighter than steel toe shoes
You are always asking for a European standard, in fact, a European standard toe cap has different test mothed.
A European standard is adopted by one of three European Standardization Organizations ETSI, CENELEC, or CEN.
Video of European steel toe safety shoe:
Hazardous conditions with the potential for falling debris and objects or heavy impact require steel-toe safety shoes.
Composite toes have nearly the same strength as steel toe shoes, with fewer drawbacks.
It is non-metallic and can be worn through a metal detector.
For workers in airports, a composite toe is appropriate over steel toe shoes.
Composite toe is poor conductors of electricity.
Heavy-duty workers require boots with steel toe cap protection and ankle support.
Steel toes are traditional and heaviest, are not good for outdoor activity, are good for mining and heavy industry.
Safety shoes are made of more than just a protective toe material, so the toe is not the only measure of weight.
A lightweight safety shoe must be matched by a lightweight outsole. In addition to the outsoles puncture-resistant midsole and upper material, weight control is also important.
If the right outsole and upper material are not selected, a composite toe safety shoe will not necessarily be lighter than a steel toe safety shoe.
A pairs aluminum toe weight is 0.05KG
A pair of composite toe weight is 0.09kg
A pairs steel toe weight is 0.2Kg
Explanation of steel, aluminum, and composite toe caps:
A shoe with a moc toe design has a seam that runs around the top of the boot.
The U shaped stitching on the toe is similar to traditional moccasins.
It provides increased comfort, flexibility, and protection.
Example of moc toes:
200-joule protection is the European safety specification.
It is a steel toe cap that offers more flat protection than a composite cap.
It essentially handles weights above the standard requirement.
Video showing 200-joule impact:https://www.youtube.com/embed/-bBBOUyUPHs?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque
Most steel toe shoes can withstand a weight of three tons.
Subjecting them to that kind of pressure is not recommended.
Regular work shoes that have a steel toe box withstand about pounds of weight.
The feet of American workers tend to be wider than those of European workers.
There is also a difference in the last length and width.
The width of the toe cap must be suitable for your market foot.
Materials to choose from include leather and man-made fabrics and materials.
Leather is the preferred material for the uppers of work boots and shoes, its more breathable and strong than others.
safety shoes with memory foam cushioned midsole is helpful due to the constant weight transfer between the ball of the foot and the heel.
A Steel shank or plastic shank midsole offers balance, comfort, and deduce painful overworked arches.
The thickness of a cleated outsole is the key to slip resistance level.
A spacious upper foot splay accommodates the interior.
Look for safety, health, and comfort features instead of the cheapest price.
AS below feature, you must consider
The materials used to upper water-resistant and breathable, the lining and leather also include reinforcing materials, breathable upper wont make your feet sweat.
Hiking safety shoes must be lightweight in order for your users to have a more comfortable experience.
0.8-1.0mm sponge tucked into the collar of the shoe can be better, reducing ankle chafing.
Proper inside structure design and high-quality lining materials can be important factors in determining the break-in period.
Your end customers often use safety shoes in tough environments, purchase safety shoes must be durable.
The outsoles abrasion-resistant properties increase the life of the shoe and its excellent slip resistance reduces the risk of injury from falls.
Midsole protection guards against objects such as nails,N penetration force is needed for footwear protection.
The protection is provided by a Kevlar insole, steel plate, or stainless steel insert.
The protective midsoles of safety shoes are typically made from one of two materials steel or a woven fabric like Kevlar.
steel, stainless steel recommended for a cheap price or heavy industry protecting shoes.
Steel midsoles conduct electricity, cold, and heat, more economical than fabric midsoledisadvantage is not light.
Woven fabric midsoles are also named kevlar, this midsole more light, and flexible.
You could choose one of the materials as your products midsole.
Nail Penetration video:https://www.youtube.com/embed/BESSJl28iLM?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque
Design the best safety shoes actually starts with the excellent design of the outsole, because the sole texture directly affects the slip resistance performance.
After done CAD design of the outsole, the shoe lasts designer starts design plastic last length and the width, match up the toe cap.
The shoe designer creates a drawing of safety shoes upper, and the pattern maker makes a paper pattern based on the plastic lasts.
There are no guidelines as to how often you need to replace safety shoes.
It depends on the work environment.
Typically, safety toe shoes last in the six-to-12-month range in an average work environment.
Some last longer, others not as long.
Safeft manufactures safety boots, work boots, hiking boots, and military boots of various types.
Safety shoes made by safeft with more than 12years experience in producing different standards.
The company has a strong development team.
Supply for 5 top brands in Euro and South America for many years.
You can order safety shoes products with ASTM and CE certified, this is ready certified for your business.
You can see brand design comfortable steel toe safety shoes manufactured by safeft.
S3 SRC protection has additional marking for exceptional slip resistance.
It is a combination of SRA and SRB.
SRA is tested on ceramic tile with the wet dilution soap solution, lauryl sulfate.
SRB is tested on steel surfaces with glycerol.
S1 safety footwear is suitable for work indoors with no risk of water spray.
The shoes have breathability.
Work was done outdoors requiring toe protection against perforation and water spray requires s3 rated shoes.
You can find many different Safety shoes price in china.
Most customers dont know why the price range such different.
Here I share with you some experience, with different raw materials, will make different price safety shoes.
Different safety shoe machines, different safety shoemaking skills, cause different cost and mass production will also make the price different.
Normal, tested safety shoes are $6-10. These prices are set at the basic model, which is the most heavily produced model.
Manufacturing safety shoe plants must have ISO certified, and Safety footwear products are tested by authoritative testing centers and issued with test reports and certificates.
Different countries have different testing methods, but the intent of the test is the same.
It is better to provide real protection than to cause harm to your feet.
The most basic protection is to pass the smash test, the puncture test, which is mentioned in the ASTM, EN, CSA test requirements.
The metatarsal impact test is required by ASTM F-18 and CSA Z195-09
Therefore, passed test safety shoes will be marked with different certification standards on the label
Label for safety shoe export to the USA shows the C/I M,
As for safety shoes, ASTM test, only issue test report havent certificate
LA symbol for Chinese safety shoes
CE for Europe safety shoes
UKCA for safety shoes in the UK.
These logos are based on the safety shoes that have certified.
Arch support allows those with flat feet to wear them more comfortable when walking and working.
Especially army boot and trekking safety shoes more need the outsole with arch support, it is will more costly to open this kind of sole mold but more comfortable to wear.
The low-end safety shoes, we used to arch support footbeds, which provide comfort and low your purchase budget.
Work with us you could get arch support sole and unique safety shoes.
For more information, please visit PU Safety Shoes.