SAFETY FIRST
suitably sealed.
These tests set a base level for leathers used in general
safety, protective and occupational footwear for professional
use. There are other more specialised areas of high risk that
demand additional protection to the upper part of the foot
and lower leg areas. These call for more brutal tests involving
the complete boot or shoe.
Cut resistance for occupations such as glass manufacture
and where additional reinforcement such as ballistic nylon,
rubber strip, thin wire mesh or heavy substance leather is
part of the overall construction is one such example.
Chainsaw resistance speaks for itself and, once again, the
footwear will normally incorporate protective materials such
a ballistic nylon or rubber.
In addition to mandatory safety requirements, two
additional tests are set for upper leathers in regard to thermal
behaviour as experienced by fire fighters. Radiant heat
measures serious heat damage extending from the outer
surface of the upper to the inner surface of the boot and the
flame test assesses the actual flammability of the upper
leather. Foundry boots also require a molten metal test in
addition to mandatory upper material standards in order to
check resistance to penetration should any molten metal be
accidentally poured over a wearer’s foot.
FOOTBEDS
These are often included in safety footwear to help
improve underfoot comfort and come in varying types,
thicknesses and densities. They also have the potential to
adversely affect the performance of the footwear concerned.
Potential problem areas include compromising the internal
clearance under a safety toecap enough to cause the
footwear to fail impact and compression resistance tests,
energy absorption of the seat region and the optional
electrical resistance tests for antistatic and conductive
footwear. Indeed, footbeds fitted in shoes with specific
electrical resistance requirements must be strictly controlled
by the manufacturer during production.
Thermal behaviour is a further optional test that can be
affected by the removal of a footbed, as are tests for both heat
and cold insulation. Removing the footbed from a thermally-
insulated boot or shoe can seriously reduce its thermal
insulating properties and possibly create an increased risk of
injury. For these reasons all footwear must be tested in an
‘as-supplied’ condition. Furthermore, to ensure correct
protection is maintained throughout the life of the footwear,
footbeds should never be removed or replaced without first
consulting the supplier or manufacturer.
The whole subject of standards for safety footwear and
the testing necessary to achieve compliance is extremely
complex. Any organisation involved with either the sourcing
or manufacturing of safety footwear is well advised to
employ a manager with specialist knowledge to oversee this
vital aspect of its business. If it cannot afford such a person,
it must seek the advice of a recognised testing such as SATRA
which will be able to offer the correct advice as well as
conduct all necessary testing organisation.
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