Wearing safety shoes is crucial to your protection in the workplace. However, the effectiveness of these shoes can diminish over time, with use. Recognizing the signs of deterioration is therefore essential to ensure your safety. In this article, discover the key indicators of wear in safety footwear and our tips for preventing premature deterioration.
Why be vigilant about the wear and tear of your safety shoes ?
The wear and tear of your safety shoes can compromise your safety and comfort at work. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the condition of your safety shoes.
This wear and tear can lead to a significant decrease in their ability to protect you, thus increasing the risks of slips, trips, or foot twists. Moreover, it can also result in comfort issues, such as weakened cushioning or loss of rigidity, which can potentially cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the long term.
To preserve your safety at work, it is imperative to regularly check the condition of your safety shoes.
For this, several visible or non-visible signs of wear are to be checked and taken into consideration.
Signs of wear on your safety shoes
Visible deteriorations on your safety shoes
Identifying visible deteriorations on a pair of safety shoes is generally easy. However, many workers often neglect the condition of their shoes, thereby jeopardizing their safety.
Now is the time to take some notes and review these elements!
he outer soles, in direct contact with the ground, are usually the first to show signs of wear.
Just like everyday shoes, each step wears down the sole a little more.
Thus, to ensure optimal grip, regularly check your sole and the studs of your shoes to determine the level of wear.
Some of our models, such as CARBON, CASUAL, TRAILIUM or TRAIL PU2D, are equipped with a wear indicator on the sole, indicating the maximum level of wear.
This will allow you to:
- Prevent accidents and injuries. Damaged soles can compromise stability, thus increasing the risks of slips and falls.
- Ensure your comfort and good posture. Worn-out soles do not properly support the arch and heel, leading to pain, fatigue, and long-term risks of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Therefore, be vigilant about the condition of your soles, especially if you wear safety shoes with an antistatic sole. If they are worn out, they can lead to very dangerous situations as they will no longer protect you from static electricity, which can cause fragile components to break.
An effective closure system for your safety shoes is essential to ensure your safety in the workplace. Whether it's laces, a zipper, or a quick lacing system like our NBS System, it is crucial to monitor their condition for several reasons:
+ Optimal foot support: A closure system in good condition ensures optimal foot support in the shoe, thus reducing the risks of slipping, ankle twists, and promoting better coordination of movements, which reduces fatigue and the risk of accidents.
+ Protection against hazards: A worn-out closure system can come undone during work, thus increasing the risk of tripping or snagging.
+ Assured comfort: A good closure system evenly distributes pressure on the foot, improving comfort and reducing pressure points. Moreover, it prevents the penetration of dirt, dust, and liquids into the shoe.
+ Prevention of premature shoe wear: A closure system in good condition reduces excessive friction inside the shoes, thus preserving their integrity. Moreover, it prevents damage to essential parts such as eyelets and lace hooks, ensuring a longer lifespan for your shoes.
Visible signs of wear on your safety shoes are not limited to the soles and closure system. The condition of the upper and lining is also a crucial indicator.
The upper, which wraps around your foot, is often made of leather for its durability or microfiber and other textiles for lighter weight and breathability. Although these materials are designed to resist tearing and abrasion, they can degrade over time depending on your use and working environment.
The lining, on the other hand, is located inside the shoe in direct contact with your foot, usually made of polyamide or polyester. Like the upper, the lining textile can degrade with prolonged use.
These components may show signs of wear such as tears, holes, or cracks on the upper, as well as pilling, holes, or tears on the lining.
Wearing safety shoes with worn-out uppers or linings poses several risks:
+ Reduced protection against impacts, dust, or chemicals.
+ Increased risk of friction and irritation, creating pressure points and discomfort.
+ Increased foot discomfort and pain.
+ Non-compliance with safety standards.
Non-visible signs of wear
Now that you know the visible signs of wear, let's look at non-visible warning signs.
The toe cap is the foundation of a safety shoe.
This essential piece covers and secures your toes with its rigid shell, thus protecting them from any potential impact.
Although often invisible, this toe cap can nevertheless show signs of wear, especially in the event of an impact with a heavy or sharp object.
Such a collision can cause cracks in the toe cap, despite its robust design in materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, polycarbonate, carbon, or composite fibers.
Even a small crack can quickly enlarge without you noticing.
Therefore, in case of impact with a heavy or sharp object at the front of your safety shoes, it is highly recommended to invest in a new pair to ensure your protection in the workplace.
Moisture in your safety shoes can also be a key indicator of their overall condition.
If you find that your shoes are struggling to dry, remaining damp even after being aired out, it is time to consider replacing them.
It is likely that residual salts from perspiration clog the pores of the lining, hindering the evacuation of moisture and sweat.
In the long run, this can become uncomfortable on a daily basis and can compromise the hygiene of your feet.
Maintenance guide to extend the lifespan of your safety shoes
To extend the lifespan of your safety shoes and limit their wear and tear, maintenance is essential.
You would be wrong to think that maintaining your safety shoes is a tedious task.
In reality, a few simple gestures performed daily, requiring no more than 10 minutes, can significantly prolong the durability of your shoes.
1 Daily cleaning of your safety shoes
After each use of your safety shoes, take the time to remove dust and dirt with a brush or damp cloth.
Dirt and chemicals can damage the materials of your shoes, hence the importance of regular cleaning to protect them and extend their lifespan.
For more thorough maintenance, we recommend regularly greasing your leather shoes and cleaning them with a soft sponge, warm water, and shoe soap for textile shoes.
2 Airing out your safety shoes
Airing out your shoes is key to healthy feet.
By allowing air to circulate through your shoes, you remove accumulated moisture throughout the day, thus preventing the proliferation of bacteria and skin irritations.
Moreover, proper airing out helps preserve the comfort and durability of your safety shoes by expelling hot and humid air, thus limiting material deterioration.
For effective airing out, loosen the laces, move the shoe tongue forward, and let them air out for at least 12 hours.
3 Airing out the insoles of your safety shoes
In line with the previous advice, it is equally important to let your insoles dry.
These absorb sweat and moisture from your feet, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
We advise you to remove the insole (the removable sole) to let it breathe and dry properly. However, be careful not to expose them to direct heat sources, as this could alter their shape and technical performance.
4 Alternating between two pairs of safety shoes
This is why we always recommend alternating between two pairs of safety shoes.
By using one pair every other day, you allow your shoes to completely dry out between each use. This practice has several advantages:
+ Preventing moisture buildup,
+ Extending the lifespan of your shoes,
+ Ensuring your optimal comfort.
5 Wearing good socks in your safety shoes
It is often easy to overlook the importance of socks; however, their choice is crucial.
Opting for technical socks adapted to your professional environment can significantly reduce the abrasion of your shoes.
These socks act as a protective barrier between your feet and the inside of your shoes, thus limiting premature wear of the shoes.
It is recommended to choose suitable antibacterial socks that promote foot breathability, prevent odors, and ensure optimal comfort, such as LINDOR socks, known for their performance and comfort, as well as LEMAT and LEMATO socks for construction shoes.
Conclusion
Work safety begins with well-maintained shoes. Recognizing signs of wear and tear is therefore crucial to ensure your protection in the workplace.
By adopting regular maintenance habits, you extend the lifespan of your safety shoes while preserving your comfort and safety.
Be vigilant, take care of your shoes to move forward safely!