Protective footwear is a staple when it comes to proper PPE. And though your safety boots may be one of the last things you put on, they’re one of the most important—a necessity on any job site.
When it comes to workplace injuries, foot and ankle trauma is not uncommon. There are many potential hazards on job sites: falling heavy objects, moving vehicles, exposed sharp metal, pot holes, live electric wires; the list is long and perilous. Reducing exposure to these work zone risks starts with protecting your feet with durable safety boots appropriate for your industry.
Choosing the right safety footwear is based on the type of protection you need and on the type of work you’ll be doing. Using the boot’s identifiers, you’ll be able to meet the OSHA requirement, which is: “each affected employee must use protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, or when the use of protective footwear will protect the affected employee from an electrical hazard, such as a static-discharge or electric-shock hazard, that remains after the employer takes other necessary protective measures.”
At Flagger Force, we require reinforced boots that meet the ASTM F2413 standard—this safety standard can be verified by looking at the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) label in your boot. This rating begins with “ASTM,” so you’ll easily be able to identify if your boot meets your industry standard. Along with the rating, you’ll notice other identifiers to help choose the best boot for your needs. Reference the chart below for examples on safety boot rating identifiers.
Safety is the number one goal. To ensure that goal is met, it’s important to ensure you’re wearing the proper PPE—from your head, to your toes.