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When To Replace Old Boots and Avoid Increased Injury Risk
Wearing old, worn out boots with compromised safety features and reduced support or grip can. Read More...
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A complete rundown of Safety Boot features and benefits
A good pair of work boots should provide comfort, support and protection but with so many options available, choosing the right pair for you and your job can be challenging.
The first things you should look for in your work boots is whether they are suitable for your job (they fit well and are fit-for-purpose) and whether they meet relevant Australian Standards.
Not only will this make you safer, but your boss will be happy. Employers are often frustrated by workers wearing inappropriate footwear on site that is not suitable for the job or is not compliant to Australian Standards.
The right pair of boots will reduce the risk of injury from hazardous objects, hot surfaces and chemicals, as well as blisters, slips, trips, falls or rolled ankles.
Here we take a look at some of the boot materials, sides, and soles on the market to help you pick a pair that is right for you.
MATERIAL
According to Steel Blue head of manufacturing, Dwayne Sewell, the design and material used in a boots’ upper is an important factor when deciding whether they’re fit for purpose in a particular occupation or industry.
In most boots, the upper is made of leather - such as fullgrain leather, nubuck or suede. Being a natural product, leather is breathable and resistant to tears, abrasion and extreme temperatures. However each type can have different properties, uses and price points.
FULL-GRAIN LEATHER
Full-grain leather is a premium material with a waxy finish. Its high strength, ease-of-cleaning and durability make it great for mechanics and tradies working with heavy machinery.
NUBUCK LEATHER
If you like suede but need something more durable, nubuck has you covered. Nubuck is made from top-grain leather which is tougher than suede, but has been buffed to give it that same velvety finish. This leather is better suited for general trades.
SOLES
As the only thing between you and the ground, workers need to consider the comfort, grip and strength along with the heat, chemical and electrical resistance of their boot’s sole to suit the work environment.
Steel Blue’s Head of Manufacturing, Dwayne Sewell recommends workers pick the right outsole for their trade.
“There are two types of soles available in the Steel Blue range, a Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) outsole heat resistant to 130°C, and Nitrile (rubber), heat resistant to 300°C.” Sewell said.
NITRILE OUTSOLE
With heat resistance to 300°C, safety boots containing Steel Blue’s Nitrile Outsole are great for working in very hot conditions (such as remote mine sites or on asphalt and steel plates). They are also suitable for situations where the sole of your work boots may come into contact with hot objects, such as welding.
SUEDE
Suede boots is attractive for its softness and has a velvet-like finish, however, it is less durable than the previous leathers.
Nubuck and suede tend to be more breathable than full grain leather. Regardless of the type of leather you choose, buying pre-treated (or treating) and caring for your leather boots will provide extra lifespan and resistance against water, chemicals and pathogens.
LACE-UP, ZIP-UP OR SLIP ON?
While it can be tempting to go straight for the elastic boots which can be easily pulled on or off, lace ups- and to a lesser extent zip-sider - provide better support and added comfort.
LACE-UPS
The adjustable fit offered by lace-up boots makes them perfect for feet of all shapes and sizes - providing more security for slimmer feet and extra room for wider feet.
They also provide better ankle support than elastic boots and come in different heights, while elastic boots only come to just above the ankle.
Furthermore, some sites require workers only to wear lace-up boots, something you should check before purchasing a new pair.
ZIP-SIDED BOOTS
Zip-sided boots offer the convenience of easily donning and doffing work boots while still providing a level of adjustable fit and ankle support provided by laces.
According to Ross Fitzgerald, Chief Sales Officer/Director at Steel Blue, zip-sided boots are rapidly gaining popularity with busy tradies.
ELASTIC-SIDED BOOTS
Elastic-sided boots are easily pulled on and off and are popular with many workers, particularly in the Agricultural sector. As with lace-up and zip-sided boots, it’s important to ensure this style of boot is fit-for-purpose.
The Nitrile Outsole is made from a type of higher heat resistant rubber and forms the outer layer of the work boots. At these high temperatures, Steel Blue says there is a 60-second threshold before it reaches melting point.
With resistance to abrasion and excellent tear strength, the slip resistant capability of their Nitrile Outsole actually improves with wear, and that it is also highly resistant to oil, mild acids and alkalis, according to Steel Blue.
TPU OUTSOLE
Steel Blue’s Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) Outsole is the all-rounder, suiting most work environments.
The main difference from the Nitrile Outsole is that the TPU Outsole is more lightweight and is heat resistant to 130ºC.
Most Steel Blue work boots are standardly fitted with a TPU Outsole. The sole provides a high tolerance against cuts, abrasion, splitting and cracking, as well as a high resistance to most oils and chemicals. The TPU Outsole also provides slip resistance for uneven and slippery surfaces.
All Steel Blue boots are SRC slip resistant. SRC is a combination of SRA (Resistant on ceramic + Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) and SRB (Steel + Glycerol).
Both soles are available in a wide range of styles to suit a variety of trades.
Every safety boot sold in Australia must comply with Australian and New Zealand Safety Footwear Standard AS/ NZS 2210.3. Steel Blue safety boots meet this standard, as well as International, European and American Standards.
Furthermore, they - and many others Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety stocks - take that one step further, investing significantly in having their safety boots audited and certified by an independent NATA-approved certification body, providing the wearer further assurance and peace of mind.
