Diamond’s Quick Guide to Safety Footwear

The advancement in PPE technology over the last few years has been incredible, with more features, protection levels and styles available than ever before. As with all PPE, when you are choosing Safety Boots or any other kind of Safety Footwear, you need to make sure you pick the right kit for the job.

Safety footwear can be specialised to protect you from:

1. 1. Impact – Protection against something heavy crushing your feet.
2. 2. Sharps – Protection against something sharp puncturing your shoe.
3. 3. Absorption – Preventing water, oil, or other chemicals from being soaked into your feet.
4. 4. Temperature – Protection against extreme hot or cold temperatures
5. 5. Build-up of static electricity
   

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In the UK, as an employer, it is your responsibility to kit out your crew with all PPE, including safety footwear, but choosing the right ones can be difficult when there are so many on the market. As well as protection levels you need to look at other features including:

1. 1. Slip resistance
2. 2. Durability
3. 3. Comfort

And, of course, if it meets the legislation for your type of work.

Types of Safety Footwear

Safety boots
This is a broad category with lots of different types of protective footwear, from protective toe-caps, to slip-resistant and/or penetration-resistant soles, and even insulation against extreme temperatures. If boots are your preferred choice of footwear, you can narrow down your needs from the features available to get the perfect boots for the job.

Safety shoes
Not everyone wants boots, and many of the same features are available in safety shoes including protective toe-caps and slip-resistant soles. Safety shoes can also come in designs for industries where boots are unsuitable – for instance, clogs suitable for lab and healthcare workers. There are also executive styles such as brogues and Oxfords that offer incredible protection, but sit well with a suit!

Safety trainers
Safety trainers are becoming more popular, maybe because they look more like casual footwear, or maybe because they allow for more agile movements than firm boots that cover ankles. There is a huge range of styles available from brands like  Portwest.

Foundry & Welder Boots
Designed with a protective leather flap to guard against sparks, and a quick-release buckle, Welders’ boots are fire and impact resistant – perfect for foundry factory workers, and welders.

Wellingtons
We all know the classic Wellington boot, perfect for working in wet environments, and places where even footwear needs to be disinfected regularly.

Riggers
Riggers are pull-on safety boots, favoured by oil rig workers (hence the name!) but now worn by all kids of trades people. While being particularly good at slip-prevention, their lack of ankle support makes them less suitable for certain types of manual workers.

Ladies safety footwear
All of the options that we’ve listed above are also available on the Diamond store in ladies’ sizes and fittings. They have all of the same key safety features, but are tailored to fit female feet and legs.

Still no wiser as to what you need for your team? No problem. If you need help or advice, we have the staff on hand to help you. View our footwear online, or visit our trade counters to speak to one of our team.