Safety toe work boots are designed to protect against a variety of hazards and injuries.
The footwear and its protective grade is best chosen after evaluation (risk assessment) of the potential dangers in the work environment. Safety toe work boots should always be used as a last resort, it is the final line of defense against hazards, after all other reasonable or practical measures have been taken to manage the risks of the workplace.
Impact, compression and puncture are the most common types of foot injury.
Common dangers are related to the kind of materials that are handled by the worker, risks of objects falling on or rolling over the feet, blades that might cut the top of the feet.
Here is a simple overview of the pros & cons between steel or composite toe work boots.
STEEL TOE and COMPOSITE TOE WORK BOOTS
THE DIFFERENCE IN STEEL AND COMPOSITE TOE CAPS
If you’re involved in the purchase of safety toe work boots, it is important not just to know about safety footwear codes and standards, but also to have an understanding of the materials they are made from.
You will see safety toe work boots that have steel toe caps in their specifications while others have composite toe caps. Strange, because both materials have the same purpose. A protective toe cap made according to European or ASTM standard will protect the feet from impact, regardless the material.
But than what exactly is the difference between steel toe and composite toe work boots and what could be your best choice? An understanding of the differences between steel toe work boots and composite toe work boots means that you can make a confident and correct purchase for your work activities.
That being said, this list with all the differences you should know about steel toe and composite toe work boots will help you cut the knot!
STEEL TOE CAP
COMPOSITE TOE CAP
Made from steel only
Made from non-metal materials such asfiberglass, carbon fiber or plastics
Used since 1930's and steel toecaps are still very popular
Gaining popularity due to several benefitsin comfort
Naturally stronger thancomposite toe caps, a thinnerlayer is used in the work bootsto reach the same strength as acomposite toe
Lighter compared to a steel toe, reducingstress and fatigue on the legs and jointsthroughout long workdays
Cheaper compared to compositetoe work boots
Mostly used in a higher quality and pricerange of safety toe work boots
Conducting cold, heat andelectricity
Not conducting heat or cold in extremetemperatures, for extra comfort
More thick and bulky compared to steeltoe work boots. Nanocarbon toe caps are asolution for the dimensional problems, asthey are very lightweight and thin toe caps.
Metal-free work boots, practicalwhen working in electrical hazardousenvironments, or workplaces with metaldetectors such as courts, airports.
Slip resistant soles are one of the most vital elements in safety footwear, also according to the EN ISO 20345 standard every safety footwear must have at least one type of slip resistant sole.
Slipping, tripping and falling are the main causes of accidents on the work floor. They often cause serious injuries to installers, construction workers, plumbers, oil workers and ambulance personnel. This leads often more than three days of absence at work.
According to statistics from HSE and RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013), "slips, trips or falls on same level" account for 33% of non-fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR 2020/21 within the workplace.
While there is some variation in employer-reported accident kinds to employees by industry sector, slips, trips, or falls on the same level is the most common reported non-fatal accident kind across all broad industry sectors in 2020/21.
SRA, SRB & SRC
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
SRC certified slip resistant sole, meaning the slip resistance of the sole was tested on a ceramic tile wetted with a dilute soap solution and on a smooth steel plate with glycerol.
Make sure you’re aware of the degree of slip resistance below your feet, accidents are expensive! All products at Workway are tested in laboratory conditions to be granted with a slip resistant rating.
SRA
SRA slip resistant soles are tested on a ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution.
SRB
SRB slip resistant soles are tested on smooth steel with glycerol.
SRC
SRC slip resistant soles pass both SRA and SRB slip resistance tests.
SRA + SRB = SRC
Marking Code
Test Surface
Coefficient of Friction (EN 13287)
Forward Heel Slip
Forward Flat Slip
SRA
Ceramic tile with SLS*
≥ 0.28
≥ 0.32
SRB
Steel floor with Glycerol
≥ 0.28
≥ 0.18
SRC
Ceramic tile with SLS* & Steel floor with Glycerol
≥ 0.28
≥ 0.13
≥ 0.32
≥ 0.18
Water with 5% Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) solution
Workway is the market leader in providing high-level slip resistant work shoes / non slip work boots/ non slip steel toe shoes to businesses around the world. Through significant commitment and investment in developing our products, Workway offers slip-resistant outsoles that greatly exceed official SRC requirements.
Polyurethane(PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. It’s a foam material with millions of tiny air bubbles, which makesit an excellent insulating material while light, strong and durable.• PU is 3 times more resistant to organic and industrial lubricants, oil, moderate chemicals, fats and oils than PVC and Rubber.• Lighter and longer lasting than PVC and Rubber.• Environmentally friendly - no waste material generated.• Better heat insulation than PVC or Rubber.
Wellington work boots produced by Workway are a comfortable and safe solution for wet conditions. The polyurethane makes the boots exceptionally lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear.
Key Features:• Lightweight with a perfect fit• Longer working life than most rubber boots• Exceptional comfort even at temperatures of -30, -40 º C.• Slip resistant outsole• Excellent thermal insulation• Resists water, oil and many chemicals• Heel notch aids removal of boot• Fast and easy to dry lining material.