With more and more businesses mandating safety footwear, many workers are opting for safety trainers rather than the traditional boot or shoe.
At Hirst Footwear, we have a range of safety footwear suitable for a variety of different workplaces.
What are safety trainers?
Safety trainers are a more casual style of safety footwear, typically worn by those who don’t need the same level of protection offered by steel toe cap boots and shoes.
This type of safety footwear is particularly popular with tradesmen in the construction industry, such as plumbers and electricians, as they provide all day comfort while still having some form of protection.
Are there other types of safety footwear?
Yes, safety footwear is available in a range of different types and styles.
Some of the most common types of safety footwear include:
- Footwear for medical environments
Are safety trainers as safe as work boots?
Safety trainers do have similar properties to work boots, but they will not provide the same level of protection and support.
Safety trainers are much more casual and so do not come with the same type of protection that boots will provide.
Some properties of work boots that safety trainers don’t have include:
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Steel toe caps
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Anti-static soles
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Insulation
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Waterproof
When would I wear safety trainers?
You should always be wearing safety footwear, including the likes of safety trainers, when working in any type of environment where there is a risk of foot injury, such as construction sites and industrial workplaces.
Safety trainers are aimed at those who need toe and foot protection, but don’t necessarily need the full protection of safety boots. Many wearers choose them simply because they don’t like the style of traditional safety footwear.
Are safety trainers compliant with site regulations?
It is an employer's responsibility to ensure employees are kept safe, which includes providing safety footwear that meets the requirements of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
This being said, employers should order safety trainers that are compliant with their specific site regulations, as well as ones that meet European standards.
We’ve listed some of the best workwear brands to help you find brands suitable for site regulations.
What do the safety ratings for trainers mean?
There are strict guidelines when it comes to health and safety footwear regulations. Many safety trainers are compliant with EN ISO 20345:2011, which are the safety requirements that must be in line with European standards.
Shoes with this rating specify a standard of 200 joules of impact resistance and a 15KN compression test, which is equivalent to 1.5 tonnes resting on the toe area.
The Dickies Stockton Super Safety Trainer are a great style of safety shoe that meets these standards. These trainers feature a composite toe cap, non-metallic anti-penetration mid-soles and are heat resistant up to 300ºC.
Are safety trainers good for your feet?
While safety trainers will provide you with comfort and support, they can cause foot issues if you wear the wrong type. The wrong type of safety trainers can cause a range of different issues such as foot pain, heel pain and even knee pain.
A few ways you can avoid this is by getting the right fit and ensuring the trainers come with comfortable insoles, or that there is at least room to add your own insoles.
The Ladies Bulklin Ayak Black Composite Toe Safety Shoes are a great choice if you’re on your feet all day, thanks to the memory foam footbed that provides all day comfort.
They also feature a cushioned tongue and collar for extra comfort throughout the day.
Are safety trainers better than safety boots?
While safety trainers and boots both have their own separate benefits and uses, there are a few advantages that safety trainers have over boots.
Safety trainers tend to be less heavy than boots since they are usually less bulky and are smaller in size.
They are also usually less irritating. Many people find high cut boots to be irritating on the ankle or leg, but because trainers are low cut, they tend to be more comfortable. However, safety trainers do tend to be less durable and don’t provide as much protection compared to boots.
If you prefer wearing safety boots rather than trainers, read our guide to the best work and safety footwear.