Use of safety shoes

The safety shoe has continued to be successful in recent years. Whether for professionals or DIY enthusiasts, it is essential before starting major work or a small construction site. But manufacturers are constantly making changes.

Mandatory: Wearing safety shoes / safety sneakers to work

The safety shoe is PPE or personal protective equipment that protects feet of the wearer from the risk of injury during construction or work. It is therefore mandatory, in particular within companies working in fields of activity such as construction, electricity, heavy industry, the kitchen and many more. In addition, the law is clear and stipulates in black and white this obligation in article L 4121-1 of the Labor Code which specifies the general obligation of safety of result which weighs on the employer, with reference to the General Principles of Prevention, the objective of which is to avoid risks and, if this is not possible, to combat at source those which cannot be eliminated.

The safety shoe and the responsibilities of the employer

An employer is required to respect its commitments vis-à-vis article L 4121-1 of the Labor Code by:

  • - Providing safety shoes to each employee, but also to those who are subordinate to him in the context of work
  • - Choosing the right safety shoe to protect against the identified risks
  • - Giving workers the right to use safety shoes
  • - Ensuring that every shoe is used
  • - Ensuring their integrity, state of hygiene and maintenance
  • - Carrying out regular general checks
  • - Providing information, training, instruction and practice in the use of safety footwear

Manufacturers and specificities of safety shoes

To design safety shoes that guarantee maximum protection against risks, manufacturers have integrated the specificities of each profession requiring their use into the various stages of their design. The objective of this approach is to develop products that meet the needs of professionals and amateurs alike.

This is why, for example, the toe cap of safety shoes offers different levels of protection:

  • - the advanced safety shoes protecting against shocks reaching 200 joules which is equivalent to a mass of 20 kilos falling from a height of 1 meter or a force of 1.5 tons .
  • - safety shoes at the tip protecting against shocks reaching 100 joules which is equivalent to a mass of 10 kilos falling from a height of 1 meter or a force of 1 ton.
  • - safety shoes not necessarily having a protective toe

The challenges for those in the field of on-site construction

Construction workers face challenges in choosing the right safety shoe. This choice depends on certain important criteria such as robustness. Why ? On a construction site in the construction sector, the risks are considerable to mention only the fall of a cinder block. There are also gravel and nails scattered on the ground. In this case, the sole is an element that should not be neglected, because it also plays a part in the safety provided by a safety shoe.

Waterproofing, essential for plumbers

The safety footwear for women or men is certainly a protection against shocks, but also against other hazards. For example, a plumber needs it for a question of impermeability. Since his site is often submerged in water, he must have dry feet to be able to work properly, in the right conditions. He will thus not have to suffer the inconveniences of using an ordinary shoe. In addition, waterproof safety shoes are available in many forms, as there are many offers.

Professional PPE: Where to buy men's and women's safety shoes?

You work on a construction site, in a factory, in the forest, in the kitchen or in a humid environment, wearing safety shoes is now an obligation with which companies must comply. The popularity of this equipment is not limited to the professional sector. The proof, a large number of individuals have decided to obtain them as part of small DIY jobs at home. Eh yes ! You can never be too careful. Safety shoes offer immeasurable benefits. Oxwork offers many brands and ranges: winter safety shoes, light, low, high, ecological waterproof shoes, etc. on its website.

Safety footwear is governed by mandatory standards

To avoid any injuries or accidents, it is best to wear safety shoes or PPE (personal protective equipment). Safety shoes are available in several brands and models: resistant to heat, to the risk of crushing, chemical products or benefiting from antistatic properties, studded sole, protective toe cap, energy absorption. To guarantee optimal protection and ensure that you wear the best high-quality safety footwear in your professional activities, this equipment is governed by standards and may have specific characteristics, all the information for which you will find in this guide to standards.

The safety shoe and its advantages: shell, non-slip, antistatic, etc

Safety shoes offer immeasurable advantages that we decipher in a dedicated page on our site, our vocation to accompany you in the best possible way.