How many safety shoes are sold per year?

Safety shoes are useful for all workers performing high-risk tasks. In some areas of activity, it is mandatory to ensure safe working conditions. For more comfort and efficiency, it is recommended to replace them after prolonged use.

According to MSI Data Services, a center for data analysis and statistics, the French safety and protective footwear sector was valued at 156.8 million euros in 2013. is over 6.7 million pairs sold. Originally designed for workers, safety shoes with metal toes were quickly worn by civilians and the military.

How many pairs of shoes are purchased each year in France?

415 million pairs of shoes are purchased in France in one year. This means that more than 13 pairs of shoes are recycled every second, or more than 243,000 tons of shoes per year. Average annual consumption: 5.4 pairs of shoes per inhabitant. French shoe consumption remained relatively stable from 2004 to 2010. In 2010, French households consumed 350 million pairs of shoes. This is an average of 5 pairs of shoes per inhabitant per year.

The importance of the Labor Code, safety shoes, boots and sneakers

With 7-10% of work injuries recorded each year involving the foot or ankle, the wearing of protective footwear is essential in some areas. It is highly recommended in many others. So, if worker safety requires wearing safety shoes, the cost of work sneakers and their upkeep are the responsibility of the employer pursuant to article R4323-95 of the Labor Code. According to articles L1251-23 and L1251-43 of the Labor Code, temporary employment companies may also be required to provide temporary workers with safety shoes.

PPE: safety shoes

For some, PPE or personal protective equipment can be perceived as restrictive: uncomfortable, bulky or unsightly. It is therefore important to involve employees in the choice of PPE. The insole with double shock absorption zones is equipped with poron XRD. The latter allowing it to have a variable hardness depending on the conditions of use.

Wearing mandatory safety shoes: an obligation provided by the employer

In many areas of activity, wearing safety shoes is mandatory due to the many risks associated with the work environment (shocks, crushing, punctures, slips, etc.).

If the employer or safety manager stipulates in a single document and internal regulations that safety shoes are necessary to ensure the health and safety of workers, the wearing of those -this is mandatory. The idea is to create a safe workplace for employees to do their job while minimizing risk.

Regulation of safety shoes

To protect yourself from the risks associated with your activity, safety shoes must be carefully selected. They offer both protection against external influences, stable and comfortable walking. Wearing the wrong work shoes can quickly lead to fatigue, pain and discomfort. After analyzing your work environment and the associated risks, you must choose those that are most suitable for you.

In general, EN ISO 20345:2011 regulates safety footwear. This standard proves that the shoes are solid, non-toxic, comfortable, ergonomic and non-slip. EN 20345:2011 standard shoes are equipped with a protective toe cap resistant to impacts of 200 joules and crushing of 15 kN. Alternatively, some manufacturers offer aluminum toe caps, a more expensive metal than steel. Manufacturers are redoubling their efforts to improve protection and comfort while keeping production costs reasonable.

Renewal of safety shoes

The number of times the safety shoes can be used is unlimited. Whether in the professional or private environment, safety shoes must be replaced as soon as they are worn out.

The average lifespan of safety shoes is one year. It is recommended to replace them at this frequency. In companies, this periodicity may be specified in interprofessional agreements or the company's internal regulations. However, safety shoes must be replaced if a heavy object falls and breaks the steel shell. Indeed, the hull can crack and become non-compliant. With heavy or improper use, shoes can wear out prematurely after approximately 6-8 months. women's safety shoes should also be replaced after a hard impact on the shell. This can lead to a loss of resistance and dangers in the event of a new impact due to damage to the hulls.

The same goes for anti-perforation soles. It is also recommended to replace your shoes if they are worn or damaged. There are collections that are renewed every year. A 10-12 year old collection rarely lasts more than five years if safety shoes have not yet caught up with fashion. Thus, for 5 years, the increase in sales of safety shoes in European countries amounts to +0.1%.