workplace safety: an overview
Workplace safety and health laws establish regulations designed to eliminate personal injuries and illnesses from occurring in the workplace. The laws consist primarily of federal and state statutes. Federal laws and regulations preempt state ones wh
Timberland Recalls Steel-Toe Boots
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Stepping Into the Kitchen: Foot Protection for Food Service Workers
Slips and falls account for almost half the workers' compensation costs in the food service industry. An effective and well-rounded foot protection program is the answer to bringing those numbers down.
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Work Boots Then and Now return to article listing
Work Boots have been around since man honed the skill to tan leather and had a desire to protect their feet. The original work boot was as simple as layers of leather bound together to form the sole of the shoe and fastened to the foot with strips of leather. The first work boots or shoes served as basic protection from the ground.
Work Boots evolved as man started attaching leather or other animal skins to the basic sole. They created boots to work in that helped protect the ankle and lower leg. Work boots became insulated when the fur of available animals was used to line the inside of the work boots. They created a more comfortable boot for the winter and protection from the cold.
Work boots continued to evolve by adding different longer lasting materials to the construction like rubber and nitrell outsoles. Work boots gained flexibility with better tanning techniques. The basics of work boot construction remained unchanged for several years. Then steel toe caps were incorporated for greater protection against falling objects.
During the early 80’s technology helped bring comfort to work boots. The concept that boots, especially work boots, could be comfortable was a new idea. Materials like polyurethane and blown P.U. lead the way. The technology of molded outsoles and the ability to create a dual-density sole for work boots arrived. All of these new components Led to a much more comfortable work boot that would improve an employee’s productivity.
Work boots today are filled with all kinds of technology. Safety work boots now have special composites to protect the foot. Outsoles like Wolverine Multishox have added mini compression chambers to add comfort to the individual parts of the foot.
Lighter weight components reduce the level of foot fatigue you experience from work boots. Work boots now have specially designed outsoles that help prevent slip and falls.
The modern safety boot or shoe addresses many other issues as well, such as electrical hazard, puncture resistance, metatarsal protection, slip resistance, and waterproofing to help guard against many different safety issues facing today’s workers.
The material of the modern work boot is not limited to leather and steel anymore. Today’s work boots utilize high denier nylon, split leathers, and other man make components to add to the style, function and durability of the boot.
A product that started out solely to be functional has evolved into a technologic piece of equipment. Work boots are now functional, durable, lighter weight and comfortable. These major advances have helped man work harder, longer and safer.
Work boots are now available from the following major brands. Wolverine, Converse, Hytest, Cat, Footrest, Dr.Marten, Bates, Harley Davidson, Hush Puppies, Justin, Timberland, Thorogood, Weinbrenner, Georgia, Stanley and Double H.
Technologies include Wolverine Durashock, Multi Shox, Contour Welt, Hytest Opanka , Visible chip, Timberlands Pro 24/7 and Powerfit comfort systems. Justin’s Double Comfort and Double H ice outsole. These features and advancements in rubber compounding and other areas have made the modern work boot a key component of the contemporary worker’s daily life.
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