Safety shoes are a vital piece of PPE, offering the last line of defense against the crushing weight of heavy objects or the hazards of dangerous chemicals. Are your workers’ safety shoes still protecting them?

There’s an age-old adage that goes: “If the shoes fits, wear it.”

However, the lesser-known proverb that says, “If a work shoe’s steel toe, steel shank or metatarsal guard is showing, it must be retired immediately“ … well, that one hasn’t gained quite as much traction yet in Nigeria.

Experts say that inspecting and cleaning safety shoes isn’t always a high priority for many workers. The big reason is human nature. You want to get where you’re going after work whether it’s home or your favorite spot or you just have other things on your mind other than cleaning off your boots.

We’re not pointing fingers or toes. The purpose of this article simply is to raise awareness of two important safety issues: knowing when workers should replace their safety footwear and knowing the best ways to care for safety footwear in order to extend its life as long as possible.
If in Doubt, Throw it Out

Choosing the appropriate footwear for the specific demands of the job is essential to ensuring that a safety shoe provides the proper protection. But selecting the correct shoe for the job is only half the battle, experts say. The other half is monitoring safety footwear for signs that the shoe may need to be “retired”.

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for knowing exactly when it’s time to replace safety shoes, as there are many variables to consider such as the job hazards, how often the boot is worn and the size and weight of the worker.

Even within the same industry, the length of a safety shoe’s service depends on the job task. Continue reading >>>http://blog.gibadi.com/2017/05/23/safety-issues-are-your-workers-safety-shoes-still-protecting-them/