Safety shoes, also known as work-boots, perfectly cover and protect the feet from various kinds of workplace hazards. They have been a vital part of personal protective equipment (P.P.E) for decades now and effectively provide protection against heavy objects, sharp materials, electrical dangers, slippery surfaces, rocks and hard surfaces, water, snow etc. So good quality safety shoes ensure proper safety of the workers.
However, with daily exposure to mud, dust, rocks, water, snow, tough material or other dangers, safety shoes may sustain premature damage, ultimately reducing their lifespan. So buying good quality safety shoes should be the top priority of the employers. Secondly, employees must take good care of them, so they stay in usable condition for years.
Now, taking care of your safety shoes isn’t part of your work but it’s always good to be on a safer side and develop a habit of taking care of your safety equipment that keeps you protected from workplace hazards. Proper maintenance ensures your safety shoes serves you well and keeps you safe throughout your workday.
So, well maintained safety shoes not only ensure your protection but also contribute to your overall comfort and well-being at the workplace. And maintaining your safety shoes, or safety shoes maintenance is no rocket science. It’s easy and won’t require much time. The following tips are useful for extending the life of your safety shoes.
Clean Your Safety Shoes Regularly
Workers operate in challenging and risky environments. Exposure to risks and dangers demand the highest form of workplace safety. The crucial step that ensures maximum safety of the workforce is to provide workers with good quality personal protective equipment (P.P.E). If you are provided with good quality safety shoes, then regularly cleaning them is critical in extending their lifespan and ensuring effective safety shoes maintenance.
Cleaning your safety shoes can be quick. After returning from work, simply use a brush or cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris. Avoid cleaning your safety shoes with your hands. Also, avoid using your breath to blow away the dirt. Always use a brush or cloth or a leather cleaner and conditioner if your safety shoes have leather uppers. However, before cleaning just inspect them to spot any major issues. Look for mud, stones or sharp objects that might be stuck. Carefully check the internal and external parts to look for any crack or tear. You can also clean them using soap and water.
However, be gentle while cleaning your shoes. Make sure the appearance and color of your safety shoes is intact. Once cleaned, never wear them if they are still wet. Keep them in a cool place and allow them to completely dry before using them. Your safety shoes require daily cleaning and care. Properly maintaining them will definitely extend their lifespan, enhance their comfort and performance, ensuring effective safety shoes maintenance.
Waterproof Your Safety Shoes
If your job requires you to operate in wet conditions like rain or snow or you are frequently exposed to water in your workplace, then waterproof safety shoes are essential for safety shoes maintenance. If your safety shoes aren’t waterproofed, then don’t worry. You can make them water-resistant through the following ways.
- Applying waterproofing spray
- Applying wax-based shoe polish
- Use waterproof shoe covers
- Use Silicone-Based spray for leather shoes
- Regularly cleaning and maintaining the shoes
Not protecting your safety shoes from moisture and water, may significantly damage your shoes. They may easily become stiff and uncomfortable. Long exposure to water may lead to cracks and degrade the quality of your safety shoes. This may compromise their effectiveness and they will fail to protect your feet from workplace hazards.
So, waterproof your safety shoes and keep them in usable condition for long, ensuring effective safety shoes maintenance.
Replace Insoles Regularly
The comfort of your safety shoes largely depends upon the health of the insoles, which is a critical aspect of safety shoes maintenance. A healthy Insole provides the necessary support, comfort & cushioning to your feet. They can balance your weight and pressure, enhancing your overall comfort and stability.
However, with time, insoles become compressed and lose and even get damaged. A damaged insole can cause discomfort, itching, irritation, and a heightened risk of imbalance. Any imbalance on hard surfaces may result in slips and foot pain, particularly for jobs that require long hours of standing. When workers are stationed on hard surfaces for extended periods, their well-being is at risk.
So it’s crucial to have insoles in a good condition as part of your safety shoes maintenance. Regularly inspecting and maintaining insoles can significantly contribute to both comfort and worker well-being. Quickly replace the damaged insoles with good quality insoles, and keep your feet safe.
Keep two pair of Safety Shoes & Rotate them
Owning two pairs of safety shoes is a smart choice and plays a crucial role in safety shoes maintenance. By rotating between them, you can effectively prolong their lifespan. When you repeatedly wear the same pair of shoes, the likelihood of cracks and other damages becomes inevitable.
This is like giving rest to one pair of shoes while the other one is at work with you. Resting will allow the shoes to dry in case of moisture and wetness. Rotating them will keep both the pairs in a good condition for a longer time, save you money, and will leave you with comfortable and dependable safety shoes for a long time. And having well-maintained safety shoes will not only protect you but will also help you in performing your job effectively.
So, consider owning two pairs of shoes & reap the benefits in the long run as a part of your safety shoes maintenance strategy.
Store Your Safety Shoes Properly
The way you keep your safety shoes when they’re not in use is a critical aspect of safety shoes maintenance and ultimately decides their fate. After a tiring day at work, one might return home and just throw them off carelessly, as if he or she won’t have to wear them again. This is a bad habit and may negatively impact the safety shoes performance. Keep them in a shoe stand after gently removing them. If you don’t have a shoe stand then find a cool and dry place devoid of any sunlight to store them. Fixed a place to store them so you can locate them. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause the materials of your safety shoes to deteriorate, which can compromise their safety and comfort. Therefore, proper storage is an important aspect of safety shoes maintenance that should not be overlooked.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your safety shoes is not only about ensuring safety shoes maintenance but also a wise decision that can have multiple benefits. Proper maintenance practices will not only extend the lifespan of your safety shoes but also save you money in the long run. You can take good care of your shoes by cleaning them regularly, waterproofing them, storing them properly, replacing the insoles when required, and the best one is owning two pairs of safety shoes and rotating them to minimize any damage. Safety shoes are a vital part of workplace safety. They provide the much needed comfort and support. So properly maintaining them will ensure they remain comfortable and dependable for many years.
