Dear Sirs, Pls. tell me what criteria to be considered when selecting safety shoes for metal working industries and chemical industries. Thanks in advance. Regards, SSM
From India, Madras
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47From India, Madras
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Please go through the attachment; it may be helpful to you. For any technical details or assistance in selecting suitable safety footwear, you may contact RAHMAN INDUSTRIES LTD. They are the manufacturers of safety footwear under the brand name of Safetix, primarily exporting to European countries.
Regards.
From India
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Regards.
From India
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Dear SSM, Please find the attached safety shoes selection documents hope its helps. . . Source:Internet Dear Dipil Nice one about safety shoes.Thanks a lot. . . Keep on sharing. . .
From United States, Fpo
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From United States, Fpo
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The requirements for chemical units are as follows.
For the chemical industry, you have to conduct a survey along the following lines:
1. Write down the names of the chemicals that are being used/manufactured in the factory.
2. Ascertain whether the chemical is confined to the floor (requires chemical-resistant sole) or if it is also likely to cause splashes on the footwear (in such cases, you need chemical-resistant upper).
3. Electrical Hazard: I advise you to opt for antistatic footwear, as electrical hazard footwear can ignite inflammable chemicals.
4. You have to choose the appropriate sole material that can withstand the chemicals used in your workplace. There is a chart available for this, which I have on hand.
5. If there are broken pieces of glass on the shop floor, you will require a steel midsole in addition to a steel toe cap.
In metalworking units, you need safety footwear with a steel toe cap and steel midsole. If there are hot areas above 150 degrees Celsius and below 300 degrees Celsius, you need a vulcanized Nitrile rubber sole. Otherwise, a PU sole will work.
I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting of the text to improve clarity and readability. Let me know if you need further assistance.
From India, Kanpur
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For the chemical industry, you have to conduct a survey along the following lines:
1. Write down the names of the chemicals that are being used/manufactured in the factory.
2. Ascertain whether the chemical is confined to the floor (requires chemical-resistant sole) or if it is also likely to cause splashes on the footwear (in such cases, you need chemical-resistant upper).
3. Electrical Hazard: I advise you to opt for antistatic footwear, as electrical hazard footwear can ignite inflammable chemicals.
4. You have to choose the appropriate sole material that can withstand the chemicals used in your workplace. There is a chart available for this, which I have on hand.
5. If there are broken pieces of glass on the shop floor, you will require a steel midsole in addition to a steel toe cap.
In metalworking units, you need safety footwear with a steel toe cap and steel midsole. If there are hot areas above 150 degrees Celsius and below 300 degrees Celsius, you need a vulcanized Nitrile rubber sole. Otherwise, a PU sole will work.
I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and formatting of the text to improve clarity and readability. Let me know if you need further assistance.
From India, Kanpur
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Please find a small contribution from my side.
Dear Dipil and Ragu,
Thank you for your excellent presentation. In addition to that, please note the following while selecting:
- Density: 500 to 530 kg/m³.
- Abrasion: on a volume basis < 250 n.m³, on a weight basis < 150 mg.
Regards
From India, Delhi
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Dear Dipil and Ragu,
Thank you for your excellent presentation. In addition to that, please note the following while selecting:
- Density: 500 to 530 kg/m³.
- Abrasion: on a volume basis < 250 n.m³, on a weight basis < 150 mg.
Regards
From India, Delhi
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Dear all, One more nice/worth PPT related to Foot protection. . . Hope its helps. . . Keep on sharing. . .
From United States, Fpo
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From United States, Fpo
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@ Chuknoo
Thanks a lot for your inputs into the thread.
Dear SSM,
While selecting the footwear, you may go ahead with what Chuknoo advised. If you can do the survey he suggested and come back to the forum with your specific result of the survey, you will be guided to find a specific footwear by him.
@ All
In the name of Chuknoo, we have a senior member, Dr. Sudhir Agarwal, who is an expert in the field of Safety Footwear Manufacturing. Let's welcome him to the forum in a grand way and utilize his expertise in delivering the right foot protection to our colleagues. He is a very helpful person. Thank you for joining citehr, and we look forward to learning a lot from you.
Keep on sharing and keep up the pace.
From India
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Thanks a lot for your inputs into the thread.
Dear SSM,
While selecting the footwear, you may go ahead with what Chuknoo advised. If you can do the survey he suggested and come back to the forum with your specific result of the survey, you will be guided to find a specific footwear by him.
@ All
In the name of Chuknoo, we have a senior member, Dr. Sudhir Agarwal, who is an expert in the field of Safety Footwear Manufacturing. Let's welcome him to the forum in a grand way and utilize his expertise in delivering the right foot protection to our colleagues. He is a very helpful person. Thank you for joining citehr, and we look forward to learning a lot from you.
Keep on sharing and keep up the pace.
From India
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The key to safety shoes and or boots is asking two question
One what standards are recognized in your part of the world and what is available to your workers
Not all safety shoe meet the job
CSA green triangle boots shoes are ok but pending the chemical standards they need certain or other rating to fully protect the workers feet
The second is metal workers have a seond rating put on there feet for safety with a upper shield or face plate put on the laces
ALways lace the boots military style so they can be taken off or cut off if the foot is crushed in a hurry for first aid requirements
Last but not least they protect a valuable feature of your body so its like do I buy cheap or exspensive the key is buying to protect which is a better answer
this link show the minimum standards we need in Canada but the key is what is the standard in your government legislation for your workers
OSH Answers: Safety Footwear
Proper foot safety is important to all of us. Your feet take an enormous amount of punishment in everyday living not to mention working in a cluttered garage or at a work shop. It is only common sense to wear foot ware fitting for the job. You wouldn't wear sandals outside in the winter nor you would in a shop.
There are all kinds of styles for your fashion conscious. There the ones that look like the typical high cut safety boots to ones looking like cowboy boots. Then there are the ones that are are low cut standard look alike shoe. There are even ones that you can use as dress shoes. The important thing is to wear them.
In designing strategies to protect foot injury, one has to remember the fundamental principle of occupational health and safety: that occupational hazards should be eliminated at the source. The role of personal protective equipment is to minimize exposure to specific occupational hazards, not to eliminate them. Protective footwear does not guarantee total protection
The best defense against injuries is prevention. A clean work place is number one on the scale:
Clear the work floor of any sharp, hot objects that can penetrate your safety foot ware
Clear any walking paths of any obstacles that can scrape the side of your feet or ankles.
Avoidance of obstacles can cause twisting or spraining of feet and ankles
Safely secure any objects above the floor from falling on your feet.
Make sure the floor and paths has proper resistance for walking. A newly painted floor can be like layering ice on the floor, Putting sand or other material in with the paint will insure some resistance to slippage.
All jurisdictions require that workers wear adequate protection against workplace hazards. All working footwear, for both men and women, whether it is safety wear or not, should provide comfort without compromising protective value.
Basic things to look for in buying safety foot ware:
A steel toe cap should cover the whole length of the toes from tips to beyond the natural bend of the foot. A soft pad covering the edge of the toecap increases comfort. If the toecap cuts into the foot, either the size or style of the footwear is incorrect.
Soles come in a variety of thickness and materials. They need to be chosen according to the hazards and type(s) of flooring in the workplace.
Uppers of protective footwear come in a variety of materials. Selection should take into account the hazards, and individual characteristics of the worker's foot.
A steel midsole which protects the foot against penetration by sharp objects should be flexible enough to allow the foot to bend.
No one type of non-slip footwear can prevent the wearer from slipping on every surface type.
Make sure they are a good fit
There are conditions such as calluses, ingrown toenails or simply tired feet that are common among workers. Although these may not be considered as occupational injuries in the strictest sense, they can have serious consequences for health and safety at the workplace. They cause discomfort, pain and fatigue. Fatigue sets up the worker for further injuries affecting the muscles and joints. Also, a worker who is tired and suffering pain is less alert and more likely to act unsafely. An accident of any kind may result. A proper fitting boot will also help in good poster and skeleton alignment.
Fit and care of safety footwearCheck the Fit:
Walk in the new footwear to ensure it is comfortable.
Boots should have ample toe room (toes should be about 12.5 mm from the front)
Make allowances for extra socks or special arch supports when buying boots.
Boots should fit snugly around the heel and ankle when laced.
Lace up boots fully. High-cut boots provide support against ankle injury. Loose laces can be a hazard in it self. Tripping over your own feet or catching on objects in the area.
Footware Care:
Use a protective coating to make footwear water-resistant. Inspect and reapply protective coating when necessary. Wet boots often curl near the toe when dried causing discomfort and abnormal wear.
Inspect footwear regularly for damage. The soles often crack with age leaving openings for potential hazards.
Repair or replace worn or defective footwear.
Electric shock resistance of footwear is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear. Dig out any objects stuck in the sole. They can make the boot a path for electrity and a slippery factor on the floor.
Boot Badges on the Boots will signify the level of safety the boot will have
Selection of Safety Footwear
Marking
Criteria
Use
Green triangle footwear has sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe (withstand impact up to 125 joules).
-------- Any industrial or heavy work environment, including construction, where sharp objects are present (such as nails).
Yellow triangle footwear has sole puncture protection and Grade 2 protective toe (withstand impact up to 90 joules)
-------- Light industrial work environments that need both puncture and toe protection.
White rectangle with orange Greek letter "omega" footwear has soles that provide electric shock resistance.
-------- Any industrial environment where accidental contact with live electrical conductors can occur. (REMEMBER: Electric shock resistance is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear)
Yellow Rectangle with green letters "SD" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are static dissipative.
-------- Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment.
Red rectangle with black letter "C" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are electrically conductive.
-------- For any industrial environment where low-power electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment.
White label with green fir tree symbol footwear provides protection when using chainsaws.
-------- For forestry workers and others who work with or around hand-held chai,nsaws and other cutting tools.
Note 1: The ® symbol indicates the preferred position for the identifying logo or mark or the certifying agency.
Note 2: Labels are on the tongue of the right shoe at ankle height. They may also appear at ankle height on the shoe itself (for electrical protection footwear)
From Canada, Calgary
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One what standards are recognized in your part of the world and what is available to your workers
Not all safety shoe meet the job
CSA green triangle boots shoes are ok but pending the chemical standards they need certain or other rating to fully protect the workers feet
The second is metal workers have a seond rating put on there feet for safety with a upper shield or face plate put on the laces
ALways lace the boots military style so they can be taken off or cut off if the foot is crushed in a hurry for first aid requirements
Last but not least they protect a valuable feature of your body so its like do I buy cheap or exspensive the key is buying to protect which is a better answer
this link show the minimum standards we need in Canada but the key is what is the standard in your government legislation for your workers
OSH Answers: Safety Footwear
Proper foot safety is important to all of us. Your feet take an enormous amount of punishment in everyday living not to mention working in a cluttered garage or at a work shop. It is only common sense to wear foot ware fitting for the job. You wouldn't wear sandals outside in the winter nor you would in a shop.
There are all kinds of styles for your fashion conscious. There the ones that look like the typical high cut safety boots to ones looking like cowboy boots. Then there are the ones that are are low cut standard look alike shoe. There are even ones that you can use as dress shoes. The important thing is to wear them.
In designing strategies to protect foot injury, one has to remember the fundamental principle of occupational health and safety: that occupational hazards should be eliminated at the source. The role of personal protective equipment is to minimize exposure to specific occupational hazards, not to eliminate them. Protective footwear does not guarantee total protection
The best defense against injuries is prevention. A clean work place is number one on the scale:
Clear the work floor of any sharp, hot objects that can penetrate your safety foot ware
Clear any walking paths of any obstacles that can scrape the side of your feet or ankles.
Avoidance of obstacles can cause twisting or spraining of feet and ankles
Safely secure any objects above the floor from falling on your feet.
Make sure the floor and paths has proper resistance for walking. A newly painted floor can be like layering ice on the floor, Putting sand or other material in with the paint will insure some resistance to slippage.
All jurisdictions require that workers wear adequate protection against workplace hazards. All working footwear, for both men and women, whether it is safety wear or not, should provide comfort without compromising protective value.
Basic things to look for in buying safety foot ware:
A steel toe cap should cover the whole length of the toes from tips to beyond the natural bend of the foot. A soft pad covering the edge of the toecap increases comfort. If the toecap cuts into the foot, either the size or style of the footwear is incorrect.
Soles come in a variety of thickness and materials. They need to be chosen according to the hazards and type(s) of flooring in the workplace.
Uppers of protective footwear come in a variety of materials. Selection should take into account the hazards, and individual characteristics of the worker's foot.
A steel midsole which protects the foot against penetration by sharp objects should be flexible enough to allow the foot to bend.
No one type of non-slip footwear can prevent the wearer from slipping on every surface type.
Make sure they are a good fit
There are conditions such as calluses, ingrown toenails or simply tired feet that are common among workers. Although these may not be considered as occupational injuries in the strictest sense, they can have serious consequences for health and safety at the workplace. They cause discomfort, pain and fatigue. Fatigue sets up the worker for further injuries affecting the muscles and joints. Also, a worker who is tired and suffering pain is less alert and more likely to act unsafely. An accident of any kind may result. A proper fitting boot will also help in good poster and skeleton alignment.
Fit and care of safety footwearCheck the Fit:
Walk in the new footwear to ensure it is comfortable.
Boots should have ample toe room (toes should be about 12.5 mm from the front)
Make allowances for extra socks or special arch supports when buying boots.
Boots should fit snugly around the heel and ankle when laced.
Lace up boots fully. High-cut boots provide support against ankle injury. Loose laces can be a hazard in it self. Tripping over your own feet or catching on objects in the area.
Footware Care:
Use a protective coating to make footwear water-resistant. Inspect and reapply protective coating when necessary. Wet boots often curl near the toe when dried causing discomfort and abnormal wear.
Inspect footwear regularly for damage. The soles often crack with age leaving openings for potential hazards.
Repair or replace worn or defective footwear.
Electric shock resistance of footwear is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear. Dig out any objects stuck in the sole. They can make the boot a path for electrity and a slippery factor on the floor.
Boot Badges on the Boots will signify the level of safety the boot will have
Selection of Safety Footwear
Marking
Criteria
Use
Green triangle footwear has sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe (withstand impact up to 125 joules).
-------- Any industrial or heavy work environment, including construction, where sharp objects are present (such as nails).
Yellow triangle footwear has sole puncture protection and Grade 2 protective toe (withstand impact up to 90 joules)
-------- Light industrial work environments that need both puncture and toe protection.
White rectangle with orange Greek letter "omega" footwear has soles that provide electric shock resistance.
-------- Any industrial environment where accidental contact with live electrical conductors can occur. (REMEMBER: Electric shock resistance is greatly reduced by wet conditions and with wear)
Yellow Rectangle with green letters "SD" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are static dissipative.
-------- Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment.
Red rectangle with black letter "C" and grounding symbol footwear has soles that are electrically conductive.
-------- For any industrial environment where low-power electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment.
White label with green fir tree symbol footwear provides protection when using chainsaws.
-------- For forestry workers and others who work with or around hand-held chai,nsaws and other cutting tools.
Note 1: The ® symbol indicates the preferred position for the identifying logo or mark or the certifying agency.
Note 2: Labels are on the tongue of the right shoe at ankle height. They may also appear at ankle height on the shoe itself (for electrical protection footwear)
From Canada, Calgary
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Dear Mr. Chuknoo,
I have mentioned for the PU sole only. I have not mentioned that. Since the mentioned density is not possible in rubber, now the shoe makers are moving to PU, as for light weight. The density that I have mentioned is for outsole. In the case of double density, the midsole should be between 350 - 400... Correct me if I'm wrong. Kindly clarify the densities, if possible, so that we can have a better idea.
From India, Delhi
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I have mentioned for the PU sole only. I have not mentioned that. Since the mentioned density is not possible in rubber, now the shoe makers are moving to PU, as for light weight. The density that I have mentioned is for outsole. In the case of double density, the midsole should be between 350 - 400... Correct me if I'm wrong. Kindly clarify the densities, if possible, so that we can have a better idea.
From India, Delhi
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Dear Mr. Sundaram,
If you refer to the EN/IS standard, you will find that there is no mention of density and hardness. The standard mentions abrasion, tensile, and flex properties, which are related to density and hardness. The lower the density, the higher the abrasion. In my experience with double-density PU sole footwear, the density of the outsole is kept at 1.0-0.9, and that of the midsole is around 0.5 (+/- 0.05). I would not recommend 0.35 as it may interfere with impact and compression testing of the toe cap. For a single-density PU sole, the ideal density should be 0.65.
Manufacturers are adjusting density for two reasons: first, to reduce weight, and secondly, to save on costs, as PU is sold by weight, not volume.
The lower the density, the higher the abrasion and the shorter the lifespan. I have observed PU soles available in the market with densities as low as 0.4, but they will not pass EN/IS tests. As for rubber soles, blowing agents are available that reduce density, but they are not practical.
Kind regards
From India, Kanpur
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If you refer to the EN/IS standard, you will find that there is no mention of density and hardness. The standard mentions abrasion, tensile, and flex properties, which are related to density and hardness. The lower the density, the higher the abrasion. In my experience with double-density PU sole footwear, the density of the outsole is kept at 1.0-0.9, and that of the midsole is around 0.5 (+/- 0.05). I would not recommend 0.35 as it may interfere with impact and compression testing of the toe cap. For a single-density PU sole, the ideal density should be 0.65.
Manufacturers are adjusting density for two reasons: first, to reduce weight, and secondly, to save on costs, as PU is sold by weight, not volume.
The lower the density, the higher the abrasion and the shorter the lifespan. I have observed PU soles available in the market with densities as low as 0.4, but they will not pass EN/IS tests. As for rubber soles, blowing agents are available that reduce density, but they are not practical.
Kind regards
From India, Kanpur
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Dear tgpenny,
Please note the operative standard in India is IS 15298, which consists of 8 parts. The CSA is the operative standard for Canada, and they are not as stringent in many important aspects as our IS 15298, which is a replica of the renowned EN standard.
Also, please note that no safety footwear can guarantee absolute protection as they fall into the category of a secondary line of defense. The primary defense is prevention.
From India, Kanpur
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Please note the operative standard in India is IS 15298, which consists of 8 parts. The CSA is the operative standard for Canada, and they are not as stringent in many important aspects as our IS 15298, which is a replica of the renowned EN standard.
Also, please note that no safety footwear can guarantee absolute protection as they fall into the category of a secondary line of defense. The primary defense is prevention.
From India, Kanpur
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Thank you very much for your detailed input. Before this, I was not aware of all this. You mentioned that you have a chart with you. Could you please share it? Thanks to everyone for all your contributions to my thread.
Regards,
SSM
From India, Madras
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Regards,
SSM
From India, Madras
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dear mr. chucknoo, thanks for the updates. let me try for the technical sheets of the safety shoes that we are using also. if i get that, i will share the same.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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Can anybody differentiate between conductive, ESD, Antistatic & Electrical shock resistant safety footwear ?????? Sudhir Agarwal
From India, Kanpur
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From India, Kanpur
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Find out exactly what type of safety boots you need. For example, some have a steel toe, while others have the toe reinforced with a stronger fabric. Also, if you're going to be on the job for a while, consider paying a little extra to get a boot with extra padding. If you'll only be on the job for a month or two, or it's a role where you're not on your feet a lot (e.g., a security guard at a construction site), you'd be okay with a cheaper pair.
From China, Guangzhou
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From China, Guangzhou
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There is nothing like cheap or costly safety footwear if it meets the prescribed standard. There is no difference in the level of protection offered by cheap or costly safety footwear if they are marked with the same safety standard. Safety guards at construction sites are also exposed to risks such as falling and rolling objects, so it is better that they wear steel toe footwear.
From India, Kanpur
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From India, Kanpur
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You have to purchase it from BIS office. Exact standard is IS 15298 part 1 to 8. Part 1 & part 2 will serve your purpose. Its a copyright material.
From India, Kanpur
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From India, Kanpur
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Thank you all for your valuable contribution, which has given me greater insight regarding safety shoes. However, I am still unable to understand some basics. Please let me know what "Density," "Single Density," and "Double Density" mean with respect to safety shoes, a little more elaborately.
Regards,
SSM
From India, Madras
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Regards,
SSM
From India, Madras
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In common parlance, density relates to Direct Injected PU sole. Single density means that the density of the sole is the same throughout. In Single density PU soles, this varies between 0.55-0.7. However, in order to provide lighter footwear and save on PU cost (PU is priced by Kg), in cheaper safety footwear, they use an even lower density, such as 0.4. The lower the density, the more abrasion there will be, resulting in quicker wearing of the sole.
In Double Density PU Footwear, the outer shell (outsole) which is around 3 mm thick and is in contact with the ground has a density of 1, while the core or midsole has a density of 0.4-0.45. Double-density soles offer better abrasion resistance, protection, and are costlier than single density soles. They are more comfortable as the lower density midsole offers a cushioning effect. Sometimes in Double Density soles, different materials like TPU (Outsole) + PU (midsole) or Rubber in the outsole & PU in the midsole are used. Double density in rubber is also available.
I am attaching a photo of the cut section of a double-density PU sole for better understanding.
Sudhir Agarwal
From India, Kanpur
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In Double Density PU Footwear, the outer shell (outsole) which is around 3 mm thick and is in contact with the ground has a density of 1, while the core or midsole has a density of 0.4-0.45. Double-density soles offer better abrasion resistance, protection, and are costlier than single density soles. They are more comfortable as the lower density midsole offers a cushioning effect. Sometimes in Double Density soles, different materials like TPU (Outsole) + PU (midsole) or Rubber in the outsole & PU in the midsole are used. Double density in rubber is also available.
I am attaching a photo of the cut section of a double-density PU sole for better understanding.
Sudhir Agarwal
From India, Kanpur
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