Page 69 - OHS, October 2021

y
:
f
t
o
d
o
o
f
c
u
u
r
C
.Th
Cr
r
w
r
w
■
e
e
f
r
r
a
o
o
a
a
c
c
ck
o
o
t
o
k
k
r
r
s
,
t
h
s
so
k
b
o
o
k
b
o
o
an
ny
f
y
f
y
o
r
r
h
yo
ou
o
o
e
y
w
i
l
l
g
r
h
t
h
t
h
us
u
u
o
ol
r
w
r
w
l
e
es
a
a
s
s
a
l
s
a
l
.
Th
o
o
r
r
k
b
o
o
k
b
o
o
e
a
e
a
o
i
i
w
o
s
s
i
t
h
t
h
i
s
s
a
e
e
r
u
r
u
t
t
v
a
c
?
E
?
E
e
r
t
i
c
p
p
l
l
v
v
e
e
a
p
e
p
e
e
e
a
m
r
r
s
r
r
n
i
n
i
,
n
,
n
ca
e
w
h
s
a
i
i
g
g
n
o
o
p
pt
f
t
h
f
t
h
n
y
t
t
e
t
w
e
t
w
t
h
hr
i
y
e
e
c
o
o
ro
o
r
r
h
a
l
l
e
i
e
i
u
u
o
t
h
o
t
h
u
u
r
r
b
g
gh
s
o
s
o
b
o
ht
o
o
o
i
i
n
n
th
w
o
g
g
he
n
l
n
l
s
d
t
t
s
s
a
s
s
el
y
t
h
y
t
h
le
i
i
a
ea
r
t
r
t
r
r
at
e
e
w
th
,
m
,
m
e
s
e
s
he
w
er
o
o
ra
m
m
u
u
r
r
n
at
d
a
d
a
a
l
l
a
l
l
n
t
t
.
.
I
t
h
h
e
e
n
n
I
y
f
o
s
s
f
C
:
C
a
se
e
e
e
y
yo
ou
u
r
r
s
s
a
a
f
f
e
et
ty
yt
t
o
oe
ec
e
r
■
f
o
e
f
o
o
t
o
o
t
f
c
r
a
c
k
s
,
t
h
e
y
w
i
l
l
g
r
o
w
o
v
e
r
t
i
m
e
w
h
i
c
h
a
l
l
o
w
s
d
d
particulate to enter the inside of your work boot and wear down the inner lining of your work boot and
■ Is the leather cracking and dried out at the highest flexion point of your forefoot (where the boot bends)? If so, the integrity of your work boot might be jeopardized.
Damaged toe. If the protective toe in your boot is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Even if a toe cap does not look dented after taking a blow, the boot will still need to be replaced. While a steel or aluminum toe cap might dent or deform after a significant impact, a composite or carbon-fiber toe cap may not appear damaged after a crushing impact, but the chance exists that micro-cracks may have developed. One of the primary jobs of your boot is to provide protection, so a damaged toe is something that should not be ignored.
Too much flexibility. While some amount of flexibility is useful in a work boot, there is a time when too much flexibility poses safety risks. A boot that is overly pliable could mean structural rigidity has been compromised through normal wear and tear.
Falling apart at the seams. If you can see the seams falling apart, it is time for new boots. These boots can no longer provide the protection that safety footwear requires.
While it is important to look for these indicators in boots, workers should also pay attention to their feet. Sometimes even a seemingly perfect-looking pair of boots may need to be replaced. Whether it is sore feet, cramps or blisters, these are all signs your boots may be worn. Boots should provide solid support, so beyond your feet, aches or pains in your legs, back or neck could be indications that it is time to start shopping for a new pair.
Boot Maintenance:
Although it is inevitable that boots will wear out, there are measures that can be taken to help slow down this process. Here are several best practices to help maintain and extend the lifespan of footwear:
Unlace your boots before taking them off. While it may be convenient to just kick your boots off after a long day, unfortunately, over time, this bends the heel collar which can cause pressure points and inevitably blisters, places strain on the laces and pulls at the stitching.
Clean your boots regularly. Although boots are often meant to be worn in the mud and dirt, they still need to be cleaned. Over time, mud can break down stitching and cause wear to occur more quickly. When boots get muddy, follow best practices for cleaning, such as waiting for them to dry and cleaning with a soft brush.
Treat your leather. If your boots are subject to water throughout the work day, be sure to treat them. Conditioned leather is more supple (less likely to dry out and crack easily) and performs better at resisting water than untreated leather. Regardless, even if your boots have a waterproof membrane or, at minimum, a waterproof leather upper, wet boots should always be left to dry before putting on for another workday.
www.ohsonline.com
NEW
URBAN EFFECT
EFFORTLESS WORK Urban street style as a performance safety shoe
• EFFECT.FOAM® midsole for optimal cushioning and up to 60% energy return
• comfortable 3-layer cushioning concept (3D)
• additional cushioning EVA midsole
• rubber outsole with rotation point
Gives everyday work an extra dose of dynamism and coolness.
COMPOSITE SLIP RESISTANT WATER HRO SOLE METAL FREE RESISTANT
puma-safety.com
Circle 32 on card.
ELECTRICAL HAZARD