CHECKLIST: 5 IMPORTANT THINGS
1. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Many overlook this crucial step, but it’s the most vital. Before even thinking about safety shoes, ensure you’ve clearly defined the necessary safety measures. This isn’t just common sense; it’s a legal requirement.
Consult your Occupational Health and Safety officer to understand the specific standards and safety levels mandated for your work environment. Different roles—whether involving oil, electricity, forklifts, pallets, concrete, stock, parcels, or roofing—come with distinct safety requirements. Confirm these before you start shopping for boots.
Take a close look at the tongue of the shoe, where you’ll find essential information like size, manufacturer identification, designation, manufacturing date, and approved standard number and year. This step is crucial!
2. INSOLE FIT
When checking the fit of the insole, we typically use the finger space test with regular footwear like joggers and oxfords, pressing down on the toe box to gauge toe placement. However, with shoes featuring a solid safety toecap, the traditional finger test won’t work. Instead, remove the insole, stand on it, and have a representative confirm a 12-15mm gap or a thumb’s width from the end of the insole to your longest toe. This ensures that your toes won’t impact the safety toecap, preventing common toe issues like ingrown and bruised nails.
A crucial tip: When trying on new safety footwear, wear your regular work socks, as some workers prefer thicker cotton socks for added padding, increasing the bulk of your foot.
3. SHOE WIDTH
If you notice your foot extending over the midsole, indicating a stretch, opt for a different boot style. If your foot feels snug, with the entire foot resting on the midsole and no overhanging sides, consider going a half-size larger.
4. FLEX FIT
Wear the boot and flex your toes on the ground to find the flex point, where the toe box or the nose of the shoe bends. The ball of your foot should align with this flex point. A boot that’s overly rigid with minimal flex point can hinder comfortable walking, requiring additional muscle engagement for basic movement.
5. SHOE DEPTH
Safety footwear should not feel tight over the top of the foot. If the metatarsal guard, tongue, and laces exert too much pressure, go up a half-size larger. Conversely, if the boot feels too loose, with laces close together, you may need a smaller size or a different style.
Consider additional factors such as temperature, weight, and height of the footwear, with your shoe representative or guide advising on material weight and properties. The introduction of composite and fiberglass toecaps has made safety footwear lighter. Always remember the golden step 1: consult your Occupational Health and Safety officer to understand workplace requirements!
