Foot protection

BEYOND SAFETY BOOTS

By Hayley Chandler

With choices ranging from foundry clogs to safety sneakers, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the hazards covered. Here’s a handy guide.

There’s a lot more to foot protection than just "steel toed boots". Safety footwear today can be selected to respond to whatever hazard may be present in the workplace, and the range of choices has mushroomed as manufacturers produce hundreds of different types and styles. The familiar "safety boots" of a generation ago are still around; but so are many other types, including safety footwear that looks -- and feels -- just like your favourite pair of running shoes.

It’s usually workers, rather than employers, who are responsible for the selection and purchasing of protective footwear. And, although many employers subsidize workers’ footwear purchases, there is often little guidance available to workers beyond a stated requirement for "safety footwear".

With all of the choices available, it’s not surprizing that, as Dan Aleven, president of Terra Footwear observes, "The average consumer doesn’t know the anatomy of footwear." There are also many examples of people wearing improper footwear for their type of work and of people who are wearing footwear improperly, he says. "There are people working out in industry that are wearing footwear that is overkill."

"The purchasers have to be sophisticated and knowledgeable enough to know what they’re buying," says Kevin MacKenzie a project manager for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). People should be sure they understand what hazards the footwear is intended to protect them from, he says, and workers should know about the standards and the various protective features available. Dawn Morris, a safety footwear consultant based in Brampton, Ontario, agrees: "It’s important to stress that not all products are CSA approved," she says. Some companies’ footwear policies don’t even state that the footwear should be CSA approved -- and they should.

She also advises managers to conduct hazard assessments and develop guidelines telling workers what features they need in their footwear. "Look at the job criteria of an employee or a department and determine what protective qualities are needed," Morris says.

She gives the following example of a hazard analysis for people who work in shipping and receiving. The workers would be at risk of injury from dropping something heavy, she says, so your guideline would specify footwear with a CSA certified Grade 1 toe cap. Workers could bang their ankles on skids or slip and fall. Therefore, the guidelines would call for a six- to eight-inch high boot to cover the ankle and provide support for the joint. Another concern might be nails or other puncture hazards in which case the guidelines would include a requirement for a safety sole. If workers climb ladders, they need something to clip onto the rungs and guidelines would indicate the need for footwear with heels. If they work with electricity, footwear that is electric shock resistant (ESR) might be required.

Guidelines of this type are preferable for several reasons, Morris explains. They ensure the worker is selecting footwear that is appropriate to his or her job and will provide the necessary protection. However, the worker is still free to choose whatever pair of footwear he or she wishes as long as they meet the requirements.

Morris recommends that workers take a form listing the required protection criteria to a safety footwear supplier. She even suggests that companies put a note on the bottom of their purchasing authorization form that states if the footwear purchased does not meet the specified criteria, the supplier will be responsible for exchanging the footwear at no charge.

Wear and maintenance

Merely having protective footwear isn’t enough. How it’s worn and maintained can have a major bearing on how well it can protect the wearer against hazards. Boots that are laced only halfway up can’t provide much ankle support, and dangling laces or open uppers can be a hazard in themselves.

Footwear’s protective qualities may also diminish when it shows signs of wear. Worn out heels and soles on any type of footwear do not provide good traction. Boots that are badly worn don’t offer the same ankle support as the firm leather in newer footwear. Damaged or badly worn footwear with the toe cap loose and exposed can fail in an accident.

"The average footwear lasts six months to a year," says Morris. However, it’s important for those people who work a lot of overtime hours to remember that they may need to replace their footwear more often, she says. The same applies to workers whose footwear takes a beating due to weather or other conditions.

Wear and tear can be a major problem for some types of footwear. Normal use of electric shock resistant (ESR) footwear, for example, can result in the degradation of its shock resistant property. Because of this possibility, the CSA advises users that the footwear must never be used in place of other protective equipment such as conventional insulating rubber mats. Guidelines in CSA Standard Z195 Protective Footwear state "the shock resistant property will be sustained if ESR footwear is used in dry conditions and if the outer surface of the sole is free from chemical contaminants (for example, road salt) and impressed conducting materials such as thumb tacks." Resistance to water can be enhanced by regular application of water repellents to the upper, it says. The sole and heel of the footwear (the effective shock resistant components) should be inspected regularly and metal pieces removed. Road salt and other contaminants should also be cleaned from the footwear.

Similarly, footwear’s static dissipative qualities can be altered or destroyed when an insole is added. Insoles, orthodic supports and even heavy work socks can also change the way a product fits and, consequently, the way it performs. They should be tried on with the footwear prior to purchase to ensure a proper fit.

A look ahead

Consumers may see some changes in standards in the near future. The CSA technical committee on protective footwear should meet sometime this year -- probably in the fall, says committee chair Terry Howe of Ayr, Ontario. They’ll be looking at providing a standard for metatarsal protection and at changes to the way the CSA identifies the level of protection a product provides.

Revisions to manufacturers’ requirements for sole plates will be published. Sole plates will have to go into the heel area, Howe states. Under current requirements, the plate must cover the largest area possible based on construction. "That one change largely improves any product that might not have had proper coverage in the heel area," he says.

Plans to introduce a standard for conductive footwear have been cancelled due to a lack of demand for that type of footwear, says Howe. It appears most consumers are using static dissipative footwear instead.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is considering new requirements for non-metallic toe cap materials and the CSA may follow suit, reports Howe. Occasionally, in the event of extreme impact, non-metallic toe caps can shatter. Plastic shards can become embedded in the wearer’s foot and they can’t be seen on an X-ray, he says. ANSI may require that a nontoxic substance be added to non-metallic toe cap material so it will show up in X-rays.

Buying tips

Keep the following points in mind when selecting footwear.

* Purchase footwear from a company with staff that is very knowledgeable about the protective options available to you and about proper fitting.

* Ask the salesperson’s advice about the right type of footwear for your specific work environment.

* Buy only CSA approved protective footwear.

* Don’t buy footwear unless you’ve tried it on.

* Have your foot measured by the salesperson.

* If one foot is slightly larger than the other, select footwear to fit the larger foot.

* To comply with CSA safety standards, footwear should fit so that your toes are about 12.5 mm back from the front of the protective toe cap when you’re standing with boots laced.

* If you’ll be wearing heavy socks, or inserting liners, insoles or orthotic supports in your footwear, be sure to try them with the footwear before buying to ensure proper fit.

* Remember that toe caps do not stretch -- boots that are too tight won’t "loosen up".

* Shop for footwear at the end of the day when your feet are swollen.

* Boots should fit comfortably but snugly around the heel and ankle area when laced.

* To ensure you’ve made a good choice, Dawn Morris, safety footwear consultant, recommends something she calls "the home test" before wearing new footwear on the job. She advises trying new shoes or boots on at home at the end of the day when feet are most swollen. Wear them on the carpets so they don’t get dirty or damaged and practice doing what you do on the job. If they are not comfortable, you should still be able to return them. Once you’ve worn them to work for the day you are unlikely to be able to return or exchange them.

* Don’t select footwear based on style. Comfort is more important.

* When purchasing slip resistant footwear, be sure to get advice from your supplier to determine the anti-slip characteristics that will best meet your needs.

* Metatarsal guards and toe caps that are not permanently attached to footwear are not CSA approved.

* When shopping for footwear with electrical properties, be careful not to confuse static-dissipative (SD) features with electric shock-resistant (ESR) footwear. They offer the exact opposite protection.

Protective footwear has come a long way since the days of the steel-toed safety boot, and workers today can choose from a wide variety of types, styles and levels of protection. Getting the best protection means matching the safety features to the risks that exist in the workplace. Or, in other words, if the safety show fits the hazard, wear it. 

Hayley Chandler is associate editor of safety purchasing for OHS CANADA.

PROTECTIVE FEATURES

Safety footwear is available with a wide variety of protective features. Here is a look at the major features to consider.

* Toe caps guard against impact from objects falling on the toes and cuts to the toe area. All protective footwear certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) must provide toe protection. Protective caps are graded by CSA depending on their level of impact resistance. They must be built into the footwear during construction.

* Puncture resistant soles protect the bottom of the feet from sharp objects. The CSA considers footwear puncture resistant if it contains a built-in stainless steel insole that will withstand a specific amount of pressure without being penetrated.

* Electric shock resistant soles provide workers who come in contact with live circuits, wires and equipment a considerable degree of protection from electrical shock because they have insulating properties that stop a current from being grounded for a certain length of time.

* Static dissipative footwear is used in areas where the generation of static electricity could harm sensitive electrical equipment or ignite flammable materials. This footwear inhibits build up of static electricity and dissipates the excess. Soles are made with anti-static and conductive materials.

* Conductive footwear is used by people who work with highly volatile materials and must be completely grounded to prevent any build up of static electricity. It is made with conductive soles and with special glues and materials that offer no electrical resistance. The CSA has not introduced a standard for conductive footwear.

* Metatarsal guards protect the arch area of the foot above the toes (dorsum) from injury from falling or rolling objects. Although the CSA has not established a standard for impact resistance of metatarsal protectors, the standard for protective footwear does include some design requirements for the guards. It specifies that metatarsal protection be an integral part of the footwear, attached in such way that laces (if employed) can be laced and unlaced. It also requires that guards cover the complete dorsum of the foot.

* Slip resistance is an important feature for workers who are at high risk of slips and falls, such as those in the food service, hospitality and healthcare industries. Treads in the sole allow liquid on the floor to be dispersed so that the sole can make contact with the floor surface. The sole material is "sticky", allowing it to grab hold once the tread has squeezed away the liquid. The shape of the heel may be beveled so that a greater heel surface area contacts the ground, which may minimized the chances of slipping. The CSA has not set a standard for this feature because the effectiveness of various anti-slip features depends on conditions in the workplace. As the footwear standard explains, work environment factors that may affect slip resistance include the type of flooring material; surface smoothness of flooring; a dry or wet surface; type of liquid on a wet surface; the temperature of the floor; and the temperature of the air. Smooth or wet flooring surfaces are usually more slippery. Low temperatures can affect the sole material by making it harder and less slip resistant.

* Ankle support is important to a wide variety of workers. The CSA reports that ankle injuries account for 46 per cent of all injuries to feet. It advises use of high-cut (260 mm) boots as one of the most appropriate ways to help prevent some of these injuries -- especially in wet or sloping environments.

* Anti-fatigue qualities refer to the comfort factor. Features such as shock absorption, cushioning, and light weight materials improve the comfort of footwear and should leave workers feeling less fatigued. However, because comfort and fatigue are highly subjective, the CSA is not attempting to apply standards in this area.

* Thermal insulation helps keep worker’s feet warm and are ideal for those who must work in cold temperatures. These boots feature special linings to provide warmth. Insulating qualities are not certified by CSA.

* Chemical resistance features will vary depending on the harmful substance. Some models of footwear are held together with heat compression because workplace chemicals destroy glue and stitching in footwear. As with slip resistance, the CSA has not developed a standard for this feature.

* Water resistance is provided by rubber or synthetic material boots, overshoes and specially treated leathers.

* Specialty footwear is available for some particular hazardous operations. For example, wooden clogs are helpful for workers in industries such as steel manufacturing who must work on hot surfaces. They can be strapped to regular safety boots to prevent the soles from melting and to protect workers’ feet from burns.

* Foundry boots protect against sparks and molten metal splashes. They feature heat-resistant soles and are designed with quick-release buckles or elastic sidepanels so they can be removed quickly in emergency situations such as when molten metal splashes into the boot.

* Chain saw boots are made with layers of nylon padding in order to jam a saw if it accidentally touches a worker’s foot. In addition, these boots provide extra protection at the ankle -- important for working on uneven surfaces -- and a ground-gripping "outdoor" tread pattern on the soles.

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Inside use.  Grade one, with steel toe that withstands up to 125 joules of impact energy.

For all workiong environments other than those listed below.

Inside use. Grade two, with steel toe that withstands up to 90 joules.

For use by workers in the retail environment.

Inside use. Grade three, with steel toe cap that withstands up to 60 joules.

For workers in the hospital environment.

Outside use. Puncture-resistant steel plate. Grade one. Steel toe cap.

For work where there is hazard of nails and other punctures. Construction.

Outside use. Puncture-resistant steel plate. Grade two. Steel toe cap.

For work where there is hazard of puncture from sharp objects.

Outside use. Puncture-resistant steel plate. Grade three. Steel toe cap.

For work where there is hazard of puncture from sharp objects.

Outside use. Greek letter Omega indicates soles are resistant to electric shock.

General use where there is risk of contact with live conductors.

Outside use. Yellow rectangle with green SD and grounding symbol indicates soles are static dissipative.

For work where static discharge could create a hazard for workers or equipment.

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