Workplace accidents are common and are capable of causing major damage, both physical and financial, to the injured party. While most work environments have strict safety regulations in place, accidental mishaps are still a possibility. Thus, safety workwear or personalized protective equipment (PPE) is a must for employees working in sensitive and risky work zones.

Different workplaces have different risk factors. Construction sites have a lot of heavy objects being carried and transported across the site. So there’s the constant fear of heavy objects falling on your feet. There’s also the possibility of sharp nails or blades piercing your feet. In the oil and chemical companies, hot spills are an issue, while greasy surfaces are prone to slip-and-fall accidents. Electric hazard environments also need protection from potential sparks and shocks. Thus, in any kind of industry, a basic protective layer on your feet is vital to ensure safety.

Safety footwear takes care of this by providing the required barrier of protection depending on the kind of risk involved. From anti-static shoes to dielectric safety boots, to metatarsal shoes, to slip resistant safety shoes to waterproof work boots to metal instep footwear, work shoes in any and all types can provide a comprehensive level of protection against any kind of external harmful objects that may hurt or injure the foot.

Many companies like Best Marine are dedicated to providing safety equipment and footwear to safeguard the health and wellness of employees working in such hazardous environments.

Here’s looking at the various types of safety work boots and their uses:

• Anti Static Shoes – In industries that manufacture electronic equipment, the presence of static charge can damage the sensitive equipment. Humans being one of the prime conductors of static electricity, an unchecked amount of static discharge may also cause sparks and result in accidents. Anti-static footwear helps to dissipate the static discharge, thus protecting the employees as well as the equipment.
• Dielectric boots – In areas of electric hazards, there is a high risk of shocks and electrocution. Especially for employees working in power grid companies and transmission lines, there is the dangerous possibility of a high electric arc due to short circuit, or accidentally cutting into a wire while digging roads or underground railway lines. This is why dielectric boots consist of an insulative material which stops the flow of electric current and prevents it from reaching the ground through your body.
• Waterproof shoes – In chemical and solvent industries, or oil sites, hot spills and acid burns are a common issue. Water resistant work boots keep your feet warm and dry while repelling any and all kind of liquids from the outer surface of the shoe. Even dielectric boots are usually waterproof as dampness just increases the risk of an electrical mishap.
• Metatarsal shoes – The metatarsal area of the foot, which is the part between the toes and the ankle, is incredibly sensitive. This is because there’s hardly any fat over the bones in that area and the skin is very thin. As such, it is most susceptible to severe injuries due to heavy falling objects. Metatarsal shoes include an extra layer of protection by reinforcing it with metal guards for maximum safety.
• Slip-resistant footwear – For oily and greasy surfaces, slip and trip accidents are a common occurrence. For employees working in the oil and chemical industries and even in construction or mining sites, it is imperative that they have a high traction and a firm grip to the ground. Slip-resistant shoes with its rubber soles plant your feet firmly to the ground and prevent slip and fall injuries.
• Thinsulate boots – For the warm insulation in extremely cold and damp weather, Thinsulate boots come reinforced with a Thinsulation material which is almost twice as warm as down or felt and extremely lightweight.
• Metal Instep shoes – Like metatarsal shoes, these are also meant to protect the instep of the foot from fall or crushing injuries. Reinforced with metal guards and toe caps, they provide complete protection.
• Steel toe capped/Alloy toe capped shoes – Industrial shoes usually come equipped with toe caps to safeguard against sharp, piercing objects, as well as heavy loads. Steel toe caps are popular for their solid protection but they make the shoe heavy. Alloy toe caps, on the other hand, are lighter, but not as tough as steel toe caps.

Depending on the kind of work you’re doing, you can choose the type of work shoes most suitable for you. A construction site employee would be well advised to wear steel toe capped metatarsal shoes with slip resistance, while a firefighter would need waterproof shoes with slip resistance and flame resistance. Vendors like Best marine provide you with a wide range of options like Ansell, Honeywell, and 3M to choose from to take care of your safety needs. You can contact them at www.bestmarine.com to avail the best safety shoes online.