OSHA requires that all employees working in industries that run the risk of foot injuries must wear protective work boots. This includes injury from falling objects, piercing objects, or electricity. The following guide covers how to choose the proper pair of boots based on your industry and the conditions in which you work.
General Factors to Consider
Your ideal pair of work boots will depend on the industry in which you work, as each industry has its own standards. For example, construction workers benefit from steel-toed footwear because they’re designed to withstand falling objects. Oil rig workers (or other jobs in damp environments) benefit from non-slip boots because they need the extra grip to avoid a fall.
Also, make sure the boots are OSHA-approved for your industry, meaning they’ve been verified to meet the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). To determine this, look for the following ASTM labels.
ASTM Labels & What They Mean
These are the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) labels to pay attention to:
- I = Impact Resistance (30, 50, or 75 pounds)
- C = Compression Resistance (30, 50, or 75 which correlates to 1000, 1750, or 2500 pounds)
- mt = Metatarsal Resistance (top of the foot; 30, 50, or 75 pounds)
- CD = Conductive Properties (between 0 and 500,000 ohms)
- EH = Electrical Hazard Protection (soles and heels are non-conductive)
- SD = Static Dissipative (reduce static electricity)
- PR = Puncture Resistance (minimum of 270 pounds)
- CS = Chainsaw Resistance
- DI = Dielectric Insulation (extra electrical insulation)
8 Safety Symbols & What They Mean
When looking for work boots, also pay attention to these eight different safety symbols to help determine which type of boot is best for your industry:
- Green triangle: class 1 toe cap shoe with puncture-resistant grade 1 sole
- Yellow triangle: class 2 toe cap shoe with puncture-resistant grade 2 sole
- White square with orange omega symbol: suitable for electrical protection
- Yellow square with green “SD” letters: provide anti-static protection
- Gray square with black “R”: grade 2 toe protection without sole puncture protection
- Blue square: grade 1 toe protection without sole protection
- White square with green tree: protection against chain saws
- Red square with black “C” and grounding symbol: soles are electrically conductive
When you're ready for your next pair of work boots, visit Boot Country in Anchorage, AK. This professional boot store offers a variety of shoes from which to choose. From cowboy boots to safety boots, if you need quality shoes, they have you covered. Call them at (907) 349-8413 to speak with a friendly staff member. You can also reach out to them on Facebook for more information.