Safety sneakers (รองเท้า ผ้าใบ เซฟตี้, which is the term in Thai) the shoes that are braced with a protective covering in the toe to prevent damage from hazardous accidents. Traditionally, the bracing was done with steel and aluminium, but they were replaced with thermoplastic polyurethane with time. Let’s dive a little deep into the other aspects of safety sneakers.
Importance Of Safety Shoes
Hazardous Instances
It is mandatory for the workers who have to visit construction sites to put on their safety shoes. Due to inevitable circumstances, any mishap can occur on-site. A sharp object might slide under your feet, a machine part may fall off, or you might bump into a giant machine. In such cases, wearing safety shoes form an important part of PPE. There are special grooves on the sole of safety shoes to increase friction and improve the sole’s grip to avoid accidents relating to slipping.
Electric Shocks
Construction and manufacturing sites are prone to threats at every step. Uncovered electric wires might be lying on the floor. An unfriendly encounter with those wires can be fatal. The insulating covering (like leather and rubber) of safety sneakers protects you from such life-threatening circumstances. Also, electricians must wear safety shoes while dealing with live wires carrying massive current.
Prevents Fatigue
Normal shoes have a thin sole compared to safety sneakers designed for construction workers who have to stand for long hours. Its comfortable and thick sole reduces the heel’s pressure, thus enabling the person to stand for long durations.
Things To Look For In A Safety Sneaker
- Consider the material of the sneaker and the brace. The brace should be strong enough to prevent any sharp object pierce through it.
- You should not buy a too loose size or a size that is too tight or fit. Buy a size that allows enough space for your feet to breathe. Too compact size might result in shoe bite.
- The size should allow enough space for your thumb to move.
- If you work in an electrical department, watch out for the Electrical Hazard rating. A safety sneaker with an EH protects against current up to 500-600 Volts.
Nowadays, many fashion industries have diversified their area of perusal and operation into the safety shoe industry. Thus, those monotonous sneakers are no longer the only monopoly in the market. Safety sneakers have become a fever pitch for many new designs and types.
