Your safety knows no season! And yet, to cope with the coldest months, you need to make sure that every item of your protective equipment is suited to the harshest conditions. Among these elements, safety footwear is a precious ally, both for your safety and your well-being throughout the day.
Key features of winter safety shoes
Winter conditions can transform the workplace into an unpredictable environment, highlighting often underestimated dangers. Beyond the discomfort of freezing temperatures, they can pose a serious health risk to workers.
Indeed, prolonged exposure to cold can lead to frostbite, frostnip, and even more severe health issues (inflammatory diseases, etc.).
Therefore, choosing safety shoes suitable for these conditions becomes crucial to prevent complications related to hypothermia and ensure total protection.
Let's explore the key properties that make a difference when the mercury drops!
Thermal insulation of safety shoes
When temperatures drop, thermal insulation becomes the first line of defense against winter cold.
Safety shoes designed for this season use a variety of insulating materials, ranging from synthetic fur to Thinsulate, among other advanced technologies.
These materials play a crucial role in retaining body heat, thus ensuring effective protection against icy temperatures. For example, some safety shoes, like the TUNDRA SBP boot, incorporate insulating linings specially designed to maintain optimal warmth, even in the most extreme conditions.
Waterproof Coatings
In winter, melting snow and puddles of water are inevitable obstacles.
Waterproof becomes an essential feature of safety shoes. Waterproof coatings, such as Gore-Tex or other special membranes, act as an effective barrier against water infiltration.
To ensure dry feet even in wet conditions, make sure your safety shoes are Wr (Water resistant) certified, like our TREKTEX S3 shoes, providing you with constant comfort during long winter workdays.
Slip-resistant soles of safety shoes
The risk of slips and falls significantly increases in winter, jeopardizing the safety of workers.
To ensure their confidence when navigating uneven surfaces, winter safety shoes are equipped with slip-resistant soles.
These soles, often featuring specific profiles for better traction, offer reliable grip on ice and snow. This feature becomes essential to prevent potentially dangerous slips, ensuring daily safety.
For example, our DISCOVER S3 model is equipped with a TRAIL PU2D sole.
The TRAIL PU2D sole features prominent V-shaped lugs for enhanced grip and traction, liquid and mud drainage channels, as well as lateral edges for better grip on ladder rungs.
Comfort should not be neglected
Besides protection against the cold, comfort remains a major concern in the design of winter safety shoes.
These models often feature linings made of soft materials for optimal comfort.
Ergonomic insoles help reduce fatigue, while breathability ensures adequate ventilation. This feature prevents sweat accumulation, ensuring constant comfort even during extended workdays.
Compliance with safety standards
Finally, just like standard safety shoes, it is imperative that winter models comply with current safety standards.
Like other safety features, the fiber or polycarbonate protective toe cap, in addition to being thermally insulating, must meet specific requirements for negative temperatures.
Ensuring compliance with these standards guarantees total protection, combining safety and comfort even in the most extreme winter conditions.
Choosing safety shoes tailored to your activity
Each professional sector has its own unique requirements and risks during the winter season. The choice of safety shoes should reflect these unique needs.
Discover Lemaitre's recommendations, tailored to different fields of activity, to ensure targeted protection throughout the winter.
If your job frequently exposes you to the elements, opt for insulated safety boots with excellent grip on slippery surfaces. Waterproof materials and robust thermal protection will ensure your comfort in cold weather. We recommend our TENERE S3 safety boot with a spiked Trail sole.
Construction sites can present various risks. Choose safety shoes with a fiber or polycarbonate protective toe cap to withstand impacts. Opt for Lemaitre's essential model, the TUNDRA SBP. It's a safety boot featuring both synthetic fur and a Thinsulate® membrane for optimal cold protection.
Warehouse workers can benefit from lightweight and comfortable safety shoes while still providing protection against falling objects. Lemaitre safety boots are an ideal solution. Discover the TRANSALP S3 model, a waterproof, easy-to-wear safety boot designed to handle changing weather conditions.
Maintenance tips to extend the life of your safety shoes
The good condition of your safety shoes is crucial to their effectiveness throughout the winter. To prolong the life of your shoes and ensure optimum protection, here are Lemaitre's 4 practical tips:
1. Regularly clean your safety shoes
After a day of work in winter conditions, it is crucial to regularly clean your shoes. Remove dirt, mud, or snow to prevent potential damage. Quick cleaning also helps maintain the grip of slip-resistant soles.
2. Propper storage of your shoes
Avoid damp areas that could compromise the integrity of the materials. Use shoe supports to maintain the shape of the shoes and prevent creases or deformations.
3. Adequate drying of your shoes during winter
After working in wet conditions, make sure your shoes dry properly. Remove insoles and let them air dry. Avoid using direct heat sources such as radiators, as this could damage the materials.
4. Protection against salt and chemicals
De-icing salts and chemicals can accelerate the wear and tear of your shoes. After exposure to these substances, carefully clean your shoes to remove any residue. The use of a protective product can also help prevent damage.
More maintenance tips
Winter conditions can be demanding, but with the right safety shoes, you can face the most extreme elements of winter with confidence!
At Lemaitre Sécurité, we understand the crucial importance of adequate protection during this season. Therefore, we have designed models where thermal insulation and waterproofing are at the heart of the design, providing constant comfort to workers operating in challenging conditions.