Putting Your Best Foot Forward: A Guide to the Best Safety Boots for Work
Employers and workers alike in New Zealand know that the personal protective equipment, including safety clothing and safety boots, worn at work is governed by the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
The type of footwear you need will obviously depend on the job you have and the industry you work in.
Construction workers and tradespeople, and workers in factories and warehouses, the healthcare sector and municipal workers all need the best safety boots.
This article will discuss the various types of boots available at Amare Safety and the kinds of jobs they are typically suitable for.
Gumboots
Gumboots are the most basic safety boot, yet they have a surprisingly wide range of applications. Industrial gumboots, also known as rain boots or Wellingtons are made of high-density plastic or rubber, have excellent water and moisture resistance, and tolerate harsh environments.
Gumboots serve to protect workers in industry and medical and commercial environments. Workers wear them on in agricultural settings, on building sites, laboratories, hospitals and chemical plants as well as sites with electrical hazards.
All gumboots sold have slip-resistant soles. Some gumboot products have steel toe caps and textile lining. Others feature oil or acid-resistant soles. In the Amare Safety offering, there are currently two lace-up models, one of which has a steel toe cap.
Lace-up Safety Boots
Products in our online store cover a wide price range and also cater to a wide range of safety needs.
Bottom of the price range, but good value for money, is the Work Force Terra Lace-Up Safety Boots. Compliant with protective footwear standard AS/NZS 2210.3, it features a polyurethane sole and a steel toe cap. It has a padded collar for ankle support and comfort. This lightweight black work boot is made from buffalo split leather.
Before you rush to buy the cheapest boot on offer, it is worth checking with your foreman or supervisor what the protective footwear safety requirements are for the job you do. While these safety boots might be sufficient for general heavy-duty work, they will certainly not be suitable for every situation.
Safety Boots That Stand Out
The most striking is the Oliver 55346 Lace-Up Metatarsal Boot. Its description is loaded with a whole lot of nice-to-haves as well as the safety essentials. We think that you might be tempted by these boots even if you don't need them for the purposes of work safety!
Among the salient features, this full-grain leather, the water-resistant boot has a PORON® XRD™ flexible internal metatarsal guard. This is useful if your work carries any risk of heavy objects falling on your feet.
The insole features Q-Flex® non-metallic penetration protection. The impact absorption system is designed to protect the heel and ball of the foot and gives additional stability and impact protection. The boot features electrical hazard resistance and has an exceptionally slip-resistant and heat-resistant sole made from dual-density PU and rubber.
The anti-static deep-tread profile boasts a self-cleaning design. Shock absorption and durability gains are derived from the PU midsole and rubber outsole respectively.
The cut-, split- and crack resistant sole packs a punch: it is also resistant to mineral and organic oils and acids.
All the above features mean that it complies with the following standards:
- AS/NZS 2210.3:2009
- EN ISO 20345:2011
- ASTM F2413-17
- SRC slip resistant
As you would expect, such well made safety boots carry a six-month warranty and a 30-day comfort guarantee.
Boots That Your Feet Will Love
The John Bull boots that catch the eye are the John Bull Oryx Lace-Up safety boots. Aside from the safety components, their main attraction is comfort and convenience. Comfort comes from John Bull's CushionCore sole technology with a dual-compound midsole for extra heel shock absorption and rebounds in the forepart that gives you a spring in your step as you walk.
The midsole also has anti-penetration properties, making this boot suitable for electricians and other tradespeople, as well as workers in the transport, security and emergency services sectors.
The John Bull Oryx is certified to the AS/NZS 2210.3:2009 standard, Classification 1 –ID2815, and ASTM F2413-17.
What Are the Best Safety Boots?
The short answer is that the best safety boots for the workplace are ones that protect your feet from hazards in the workplace and minimise fatigue and discomfort. Another answer to that question is that the best safety boots are ones that fit you. Your feet should not be sore at the end of your workday.
Ladies' Safety Boots
This is probably a good place to point out that Amare Safety carries a range of Ladies' protective work boots, featuring all the fancy technological and safety advances of Men's safety boots.
Footwear manufacturers have finally caught on to the fact that many women who work in heavy industry need smaller sizes than the ones available in the standard men's size range. They also know that safety boots for women need to be just as tough as safety boots for men.
Safety Boots Accessories
Be sure to visit our safety boots accessories category, which is a plus for individual and corporate buyers alike. Comfortwear in this section includes inner soles with arch support, a variety of branded socks, some of which sport Hi-Vis colours or thermal properties.
A Footnote on Safety Toe Caps
The protective toe is usually made from steel, aluminium, or a composite. Selecting a boot based on a specific safety toe will depend on the demands of the working environment and safety requirements.
Steel toes conduct heat and cold, and therefore alternatives to steel are often preferred. Aluminium offers lightweight protection only. Composite safety usual comprise carbon fibre, plastic, or kevlar.
Although composite toes are lighter than steel toes they are thicker than either steel or aluminium, and therefore look bulkier. Composites do not transfer either heat or cold. Being non-metallic, they are a good choice for workers who have to pass through metal detectors often or who have to work in a metal-free environment.
Protective Footwear Standards for the Workplace
As an employer, it is important to be familiar with the various occupational protective footwear standards in New Zealand, and which ones apply to your business operations. If you are in any doubt which would be the best safety boots for your workers, please contact our knowledgable sales team.
Please contact us via e-mail if you would like a hard copy of our Botts Catalogue 2020. Our sales representatives are able to answer any questions about these products. You are welcome to phone us or message us with your queries.
Oh, and be sure to read our blog on other aspects of safety in the workplace!
