A steel cap shoe must adhere to various criteria in order to provide comfort and safety for the owner.
As a work boot or protective shoe, the steel cap must perform properly. To do this, the person wearing them must ensure they understand the different points to consider in order to make an informed choice when choosing their footwear.
It is important to understand that not all shoes can be considered as safety work boots or steel caps. Below are the criteria to be met to ensure the comfort and protection of the feet.
Adherence to safety standards
To be considered compliant, the steel toe shoe must comply with the CAN/CSA-Z195-02 standard. This standard is specifically designed to evaluate protective footwear. In particular, it is based in particular on the following criteria:
- Shoe design
- Toe protection
- Electric-shock protection
- Sole plate performance
Safety standards prevent many workplace accidents. Remember that wearing an appropriate steel toe boot is mandatory on any construction site or other location where feet are exposed to danger.
The sole
The quality of the sole of your protective footwear is important. Below are some important criteria to evaluate it:
- Ground adhesion
- Sole flexation
- Shock absorption
Do not hesitate to ask a podiatrist for advice before choosing a steel toe model. They will be able to evaluate the sole and the quality of the shoe and help you make the best choice.
Shoe weight
It is important to choose the proper shoe weight for the right tasks to ensure your feet are comfortable. If you have to travel long distances, choose a lighter, more breathable model.
Also pay particular attention to the materials used by the manufacturer and match them with your needs.
Shoe grip
The shoe’s grip provides stability when you need to adopt a specific posture while working. To ensure that your shoe is as adherent as possible, you should ensure that:
- The shoe should not be too worn out
- The sole must not be crushed
- Work floors must be clean and dry
As you can see, it is important to maintain the steel toe shoe to ensure proper grip on the ground.
Protecting the foot
Foot safety is essential. Under normal conditions, a good protective shoe can protect your whole foot:
- Heel
- Ankle
- Achilles tendon
- Metatarsal
- Sole of the foot
Make sure you choose integral foot safety when purchasing a steel toe boot.
The podiatrist: for optimal foot protection
Protecting your feet is your podiatrist’s top priority. Your podiatrist is able to answer all your questions and concerns. You can count on this ally to help you make the right choices.
Do you want to keep your feet safe at work? Consult a PiedRéseau clinic to obtain the information you need.
