Aug 27, 2010
Posted on Aug 27, 2010 in Foot Protection | 7 comments
Shoe covers come in many shapes and sizes for a variety of applications. Choosing the proper shoe cover depends on the work you will be doing and the work place environment. Do you need shoe covers to be anti-skid or non-slip? Should your shoe covers be made to fit over regular shoes or boots as well? What are the work regulations regarding protective shoe covers? All of these questions will need to be addressed in order to ascertain which protective shoe covers you will need and when you will need to wear them.
There are many industries that use disposable shoe covers. Hospitals are perhaps one of the most well known workplaces where employees are required to wear protective shoe covers. However, industrial settings such as paint shops, also require employees to wear protective shoe covers. The idea is to protect not only your shoes from damage, but to protect the workplace from debris that you can track in with your shoes. When you walk from where you parked you car to the workplace, you walk across dirt and grime which can stick to your shoes and be carried inside. Sensitive machines can be damaged by excess debris, so protective shoe coverings are worn to minimize that risk.
Disposable shoe covers should also be changed out as employees move from one room to another. In the gardening profession, for example, employees can avoid cross contamination of plant material and bacteria by changing shoe coverings as they move from one job to another. By simply changing disposable shoe covers, time is saved since the employee does not have to wash his shoes, and also the chance of contamination is dramatically decreased, since any bacteria that may have been present in the plant material would have stayed on the shoe cover, not on the employees shoes.
Workers in hospitals and shops where floors are of a slippery material will need to wear shoe covers with a non-slip sole. Depending on the material of the shoe cover, they can be slippery. Shoe covers need to be non slip but should also be of a proper size. Shoe covers come in small, medium and large and employees should pick the shoe covers that most closely match their shoe size. Wearing shoe covers that are too large will increase the risk of accidents. On the other hand, shoe covers that are too small may not completely cover the shoe. It is important to ensure that shoe covers are of a proper fit in order to work correctly.
Check the regulations at your workplace in order to find out the specific rules regarding shoe covers. OSHA often has specific regulations for shoe covers based on the work environment, and employees should be familiar with these standards at all times. If your work requires shoe covers, they should be provided for you by the company. However, you can purchase your own online if your work does not require them but you feel they would bring you benefit. Wear shoe covers to protect your workplace, your shoes, and to keep you safe while you work.
Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in Foot Protection | 0 comments
Written on Tuesday, July 14, 2009
You already know that Wilkuro Safety Toes are a time-tested and proven steel toe shoe solution, ideal in any environment where there is risk of accidental toe damage or where steel toe shoe cap is required.
Designed to fit comfortably over soft-toed shoes, including runners and even low-heeled dress shoes, Wilkuro Safety Toes are an excellent alternative to steel toe safety shoes.
And now, for all the ladies, Wilkuro Safety Toes are available in Pink! Perfect for protecting your toes and looking cute at the same time!
Written By: Carissa Kelley
Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in Foot Protection | 1 comment
Written on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Safety shoes are an essential part of personal protective equipment (PPE), as they can prevent severe and disabling foot injuries. Wearing appropriate foot protection isn’t just good practice, it’s required by law.
Protective footwear is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for all employees who could be exposed to falling objects, hazardous materials, or matter that could pierce the sole. In order for your workplace to be as safe as possible you should make sure that you follow OSHA guidelines and purchase only certified footwear.
Protective footwear must also comply with American National Standards Institute standard ANSI Z41-1991, which breaks footwear down into 6 categories:
1. Impact/Compression Resistance – uses a steel or nonmetallic toe cap (steel toe) to protect against falling objects or crushing from heavy rolling objects.
2. Metatarsal Footwear – provides similar protection against falling objects to the area of the foot between the ankle and the toes.
3. Electrical Hazard – the sole of the shoe or boot is designed to protect workers from electric shock from 600 volts or less, under dry conditions.
4. Conductive Footwear – prevents the buildup of static electricity.
5. Puncture Resistance – the sole resists penetration from sharp objects; such as nails or broken glass.
6. Static Dissipative – reduces the buildup of static electricity by conducting body charge to ground, while protecting the employee from electrical hazards.
Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a safety shoe:
- Steel toes to protect against falling objects, which cause 60 percent of all foot injuries. Where there are electrical hazards, a fiberglass toe should replace the typical steel toe.
- Good traction to protect against slips and falls, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics said were responsible for about 329,000 lost workdays in 1994. Depending on the environment, consider cleats, or a shoe with an abrasive, gritted grooved, spiked or studded sole.
- Proper chemical protection. Boots and shoes made of rubber, PVC or neoprene (depending on the chemical) are needed.
- Employee comfort. If a shoe is unwieldy or heavy, chances are it will not be worn. Give workers a choice of footwear colors and styles but only after you are satisfied that all of those to be considered provide adequate protection.
Written By: Carissa Kelley
Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in Foot Protection | 0 comments
Written on Friday, March 20, 2009
Steel toes are a way of protecting your toes in any environment where there is a risk of toe injury. Sometimes a job site will require steel toe shoe caps be worn, even for visitors or temporary workers. But supplying steel toe safety shoes to everyone coming into your job site can become extremely expensive, making it difficult to comply with safety standards.
Wilkuro Safety Toes are the solution to this problem. These safety toes are designed to fit comfortably over soft-toed shoes, including sneakers and even low-heeled dress shoes, making them an excellent alternative to steel toe safety shoes. And, unlike standard steel-toed shoes, they can be passed from person to person without hygiene issues.
With overshoes made from a flexible PVC material, Wilkuro Safety Toes are slip-resistant and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. In fact, the Wilkuro PVC overshoe was tested to the ASTM 2413-05 Performance Requirements, passing ANSI Class I-75 Impact, Class C-75 compression: the highest standard possible for toe protection.
Wilkuro Safety Toes are compact, easy-to-store, and their color-coded steel toes make sizes easy to identify. Each pair is made from quality steel and durable PVC, and can accommodate most types of low-heeled footwear. Wilkuro Safety Toes are the perfect solution to your steel toe requirements.
Written by: Carissa Kelley
