Choosing the right work boot.
Protecting your feet.
How to pick the correct pair of boots:
Workplace environments and risk factors vary enormously so choosing the correct footwear is imperative. Work health and safety risk assessments should be considered before choosing footwear protection.
Fit for purpose
Choose appropriate footwear for the intended use, paying particular attention to underfoot conditions such as uneven surfaces, wet or muddy conditions and slippery surfaces.
Also consider your physical activities: are you jumping in and out of a truck all day, standing on concrete flooring for extended periods or using ladders? All of these things need to be taken into consideration when selecting the most appropriate footwear.
Safety toe cap
Blundstone manufacture safety footwear using both steel and composite toe caps.
Both are compliant to Australian safety standards (which incorporates New Zealand) and offer 200 joule impact resistance, however if your feet are exposed to the risk of repetitive impacts, penetration or cutting hazards or electrical hazards, then we recommend that you choose footwear with a steel safety toe cap as they may be more suited to your needs.
Quality uppers
Always select footwear that is manufactured with materials that are breathable, protective and supportive. This is vital for good foot health.
Leather is an ideal choice for footwear as it will naturally shape to the foot over time and can also be treated to provide water resistance whilst remaining breathable. With advances in technology, quality uppers also provide breathable, lightweight options.
Sole design and material
Always ensure the tread pattern on your boots offers suitable slip resistance. If you are working on rough or muddy surfaces, you will need a deeper tread than someone working on concrete flooring or in transport. A defined heel is an important feature for anyone using ladders or gantries.
The heat resistance of the outsole is also important for many industries. Make sure that you select boots that have a higher heat resistance (300ºC) if you are working where your boots could be exposed to hotter surfaces such as road resurfacing.
Design
If you need increased ankle or calf protection, a boot with laces or laces and a zip for personalised fit adjustment could be the most suitable option.
If you take your boots off several times a day, a zip side or elastic side design would provide easy on, easy off convenience. If you are jumping out of trucks, a lightweight safety jogger could be the perfect choice. There is a Blundstone work boot for nearly every environment.