Dominic Slingsby
WORKERS across all industries are putting themselves at risk by wearing footwear that is not appropriate for their work environment according to a warning from workplace equipment supplier Slingsby.
As part of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must provide workers with suitable footwear if there is a risk that cannot be eradicated through other controls and precautions.
Common hazards that footwear can help to protect against include injuries from slips, falling objects, electrostatic build-up, chemical splashes and cuts and punctures.  Slingsby supplies more than 35, 000 workplace products across all industries including a comprehensive range of protective footwear and continually advises employers about suitable safety footwear for their employees.
Dominic Slingsby, Managing Director at Slingsby, says: “Choosing the right footwear is a crucial decision because as well as being comfortable, it must protect against potential hazards and all types of environmental conditions and we regularly visit workplaces where employees could improve both their health and safety simply by changing their footwear.
“There’s a huge range available, from heavy duty wellington and rigger boots through to slip-on shoes and hiker style trainers.  Generally rigger boots are best suited to building sites and other extreme outdoor environments.  They usually feature steel toecaps and steel midsoles to protect against sharp or falling objects.  For boots that also need to be waterproof, or able to withstand acids and chemicals, then safety wellingtons are a great solution.
“For less rugged safety footwear, leather remains the material of choice because it’s durable, water resistant and very robust.  However it can be heavier and less breathable than nubuck or nylon mesh style safety trainers.  These are lightweight, comfortable and are particularly popular for indoor job roles that offer dry conditions and minimal risks from puncture wounds.”
Lee adds: “Other key footwear features can include slip-resistant soles, insulation to protect against the cold and ankle protection, which is often good for people who are on their feet all day.  Finally when it comes to size, while regular footwear can soften and expand over time, steel-toe caps make footwear far less flexible, so they need to be a good fit from the beginning.  Those wearing insulated footwear in cold temperatures will often wear thicker socks so it’s worth buying a slightly bigger boot to accommodate these.”
Slingsby was established in Bradford during 1893 by Harry Crowther Slingsby who designed and created a range of robust trucks and trolleys to move heavy loads horizontally around large buildings.  Several members of the Slingsby family remain on the board of directors and whilst the company is still famous for its manual handling equipment, it now supplies more than 35, 000 workplace products to a full range of industries via its catalogues and website. For further information visit www.slingsby.com
