Steel Toes vs. Composite Toes Work Boots
Steel Toecap Boots
At many construction, shipping or docking job locations, sturdy steel toecap boots are the preferred or required foot attire for workers. Believe it or not, they can also be stylish today. While onsite at construction jobs, workmen’s feet and ankles are well protected against any falling metal or wooden beams or supports by these boots. Workers are also effectively shielded from harm and injury from heavy drills, saws and moving parts on large mechanical equipment that may fall or be suddenly re-positioned. If bumped or sideswiped by small to mid-sized tractors, cranes or lifts, workmen may suffer a few scrapes and bruises from a fall. However, their feet stand a good chance of avoiding injury when clad in these trusty safety boots with reinforced steel toecaps.
Safety Plus Fashion in Industrial Footwear
You can even add a bump cap, a scuff made of polyurethane, that covers the steel toe of your boots for added protection and durability. With advanced boot design technology available today, impressive levels of safety can be provided to wearers of these boots. At the same time, this sturdy footwear offers a quality, comfortable and flexible fit similar to the latest updates in sports and hiking boots. These boots are even on sale in pleasing color choices to fit every fashion-conscious workman’s fancy.
Composite Toecap Boots
Especially for some types of maintenance or electrical wiring jobs, workers may prefer wearing composite toecap boots. These boots will not conduct electrical charges and are lighter in weight than most steel toe safety work boots. In fact, the majority of heavy-duty boots with composite toecaps contain no metallic materials. Due to their lack of metal content, workmen can be within security scanning areas without setting off alarms or warning signals. Boots with this protective composite toecap design are approximately 40 percent lighter and generally more flexible than steel toecap boots.
Lightweight Durability and Metal Detection Clearance
Other advantages of work boots with composite toecaps include their resistance to rust when exposed to harsh weather or wet conditions in the work environment. Boots with composite toe construction also can be X-rayed. These boots rebound following an occurrence of roll or vertical compression. Workers wearing these boots can walk repeatedly through metal detectors unnoticed. This aspect is particularly helpful for airport maintenance or construction crews when working in security areas with active metal detection equipment.
More Advantages of Wearing Steel Toecap Safety Boots on Worksites
On many construction and heavy equipment worksites, safety boots with steel toecaps are now mandatory. All industrial work boots worn in Australia today must meet requirements of the Australian and New Zealand Safety Standard AS/NZ2210.3. Steel toecaps used in boots that satisfy this safety standard can withstand a drop force equal to 200 joules. They are also resistant to cutting by power saws and to puncturing by sharp objects or nail gun action. In addition, steel toe boots offer unbeatable leakage protection when exposed to wet or muddy worksite conditions. This is partially due to the fact that quality steel toecap boots have waterproof soles. Boot uppers are manufactured of ultimate water-repellent leather reinforced with heavy-duty stitching. When working consistently in wet environments, workers should add extra coats of wax to leather boot uppers for even greater protection against water leakage and boot damage.