A hard day’s work can mean different things to different people. The challenges of the job can vary depending on your industry, and so can the hazards of your particular work site. Safety footwear has come a long way. From steel-toe boots to insulated work boots to slip-resistant rubber sole boots, different types of work boots protect differently.

To minimize your chance of injury on the job, you need to know what those hazards are and how your everyday uniform can offer the most suitable protection. Choosing the right pair of the best lightweight work boots, for example, can make all the difference when it comes to workplace safety, setting you up for long-term success in the industry of your choosing.

With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most common perils you’re likely to find on any given job site, as well as the styles of work boots most suited to protect against each one. 

Common Workplace Hazards

Workplace safety is a matter of well-considered procedures and all manner of personal protective equipment. Still, you might be surprised to learn just how often safety starts at the feet.

In the case of electrical hazards, for example, a pair of EH-rated non-conductive electrical hazard protection boots can prevent a live charge of electricity from making contact with the ground, protecting the entire body from potential harm.¹ The following list of potential workplace hazards can all be at least partially mitigated with the right pair of work boots:

• Electrical hazard

• Slick and slippery conditions

• Sharp and puncture-prone objects

• Falling objects

• Rolling objects

• Cold weather

Going forward, we’ll address each of these hazards by relating them to a particular type of work boots that can help keep you safe while you’re on the job.

#1 Falling Objects: Safety-Toe Work Boots

Similar to puncture-resistant safety shoes, safety toe boots feature a protective plate built into the materials of the steel toe work boot itself—though in this instance the safety plate incases the safety toe box, protecting the foot from potential crushing hazards.

Safety toe boots are best suited for jobs in the following industries:

• Warehouse/distribution

• Manufacturing

• Maintenance

• Farming/ranching

• Construction

#2 Electrical Hazard: EH-Rated Work Boots

As mentioned earlier, EH-rated boots work to protect you by including a layer of non-conductive material that separates your feet from the ground. These boots are a vital piece of protective equipment for men and women working in electrical trades or any environment that might expose workers to live electrical charges.¹

When shopping for non-conductive work boots, check to confirm that your next pair complies with ASTM EH-rated safety standards.

#3 Slick and Slippery Conditions: Slip-Resistant Work Boots

Slippery conditions are one of the most common hazards on a wide variety of job sites, and can pose a threat indoors or outdoors. Construction or farm workers can encounter slick conditions outside, often caused by ice or heavy rain. Meanwhile, warehouse, manufacturing, automotive, and service workers typically have to work around slippery conditions caused by spilled fluids—especially oil.

A reliable pair of slip-resistant work boots is one of the best protections against a potential slip and fall. These boots often feature heavy-treaded rubber outsoles and materials or coatings that help resist oil and grease.

For the grip-conscious shopper, Boot World includes a slip-resistance rating for all of our most comfortable work boots—found by navigating to the ‘Specs’ tab on any boot’s product page. 

#4 Sharp and Puncture-Prone Objects: Puncture-Resistant Work Boots

Whether it’s nails at a construction site or metal scrap at a junkyard, a variety of working environments include puncture hazards. Watching your step around sharp objects is always a good idea, but all it takes is one lapse in judgment or a wrong step to subject you to potential injury and missed work days while you recover.

Puncture-resistant work boots include a protective plate or safety toe cap that prevents punctures to the toes, made of steel or other materials between the sole and insole. Look for an indication of ASTM compliance the next time you’re on the market for a pair of puncture-resistant safety toe boots.² The compliance should be shown on the ASTM interior label with a ‘PR’ designation. 

#5 Cold Weather: Insulated Work Boots

A number of industries can subject workers to cold conditions, and these conditions may pose a danger if you’re inadequately prepared. Whether you’re a farmhand, a construction laborer, or other worker spending long periods of time in a refrigerated environment, investing in a dependable pair of insulated work boots is a critical step in preparing for cold conditions.

As implied by the name, insulated work boots include a layer of heat-insulating materials to protect your feet from exposure to the cold. Many insulated boots are also waterproof, but if you work in a damp climate, it’s always a smart idea to make sure that’s the case. The insulation can also insulate from extreme heat. In this case, a composite toe would be recommended in extreme temperature environments as this type of shoe will not transfer heat or cold onto the toes as efficiently as a steel toe. 

Boot World: Building Safer Habits from the Ground Up

Hard work takes a hard worker, and our proficiency on the job can often make us feel invincible. But it’s important to remember that even the best workers can fall victim to a workplace hazard, potentially leading to an injury and the Kafkaesque nightmare of worker’s compensation claims. 

At Boot World, we’ve built our brand on helping workers protect themselves. Our website allows you to filter for different types of work boots based on your job requirements, and each product page includes a “Features” tab to tell you exactly what safety measures a steel-toe work boot has to offer.

Whether you’re shopping the Wolverine, Timberland PRO, or CAT work boots collection, step into a safer tomorrow with protective footwear at Boot World, and kick workplace hazards to the curb.

Sources: 

1. Safety Toolbox Topics. Electrical Hazards: Making Sense Of Protective Footwear Ratings. https://safetytoolboxtopics.com/Electrical-Hazards/electrical-hazards-making-sense-of-protective-footwear-ratings.html/

2. Working Person. How Tough is Puncture-Resistant Footwear? https://workingperson.me/how-tough-is-puncture-resistant-footwear/