Though they?re not the first thing most people think of when it comes to workplace safety, comfortable work boots should be an important consideration for any on-site ensemble. The average person walks up to 10,000 steps a day, but the typical laborer or construction worker may walk as much as 30,000. This means that comfort, along with sturdiness and reliability, are a must when choosing shoes for the job.
Each of your feet is made up of 19 muscles, 107 ligaments, 26 bones, and 33 joints. These bones and muscles are easily injured, especially when working around heavy or potentially unstable objects. And if just one of these anatomical elements gets hurt on the job, the entire lower half of your body could be thrown out of whack. If that sounds like an exaggeration, it’s not: the U.S. Department of Labor has found that, on average, people who suffer a foot injury miss seven days of work — an occurrence that can be prevented simply by having the right footwear while on the job site.
Finding a pair of comfortable work boots isn?t a difficult process. Depending on your budget and the requirements of your job, you may want to look into composite toe vs steel toe work boots. They both protect your feet and provide an additional layer of coverage, though they differ in ways that may be important to you.
Composite toe boots are made of a non-steel material, such as carbon fiber or Kevlar. They?re not quite as sturdy as steel toe boots, but they still offer protective benefits for your feet. These also tend to be more comfortable work boots, especially when you have a long day out in the field.
Steel toe boots, which have been the industry standard for decades, are more reliable in terms of protecting feet and toes. Because they?re made of metal, these boots can stand up against more pressure and weight. Composite toe boots are often durable enough for on-site work, but some people prefer the additional protection that steel toe boots provide.
Every year, roughly $70 per employee is spent on protective footwear. The money is arguably well spent, as these boots protect workers and their feet from potentially crippling injuries. A pair of comfortable boots may not be much to look at, but they are a vital part of any laborer or construction worker?s daily outfit. Whether you opt for composite toe or steel toe boots, you’ll be able to step onto the job site with the knowledge that your feet are well protected against accidents.