The winter months bring new challenges for construction workers. The weather often means that a site is wet and icy so extra care needs to be taken to make sure workers are equipped and able to work in difficult conditions.
One of the most important pieces of workwear at this time of the year is winter safety boots. Here at Grisport, we have a wide range of safety boots that are designed for all construction industries helping to keep workers safe and their feet warm and dry.
Read on to find out our tips for choosing the right winter boots.
What Should I Consider When Buying Winter Safety Work Boots?
Insulation
There’s nothing worse than having cold feet, particularly when you’re working outside. Warmer feet open up the blood vessels which creates a better flow and helps to move heat to every part of your body. This boosts energy and protects our immune systems.
So, making sure your feet are warm when you’re working outdoors is vital. Safety boots with added insulation will help to keep your feet warm so that you can get on with your work without worrying about your feet getting cold.
Waterproofing
Just as you don’t want to be working with cold feet, you need to make sure they’re dry too. When water seeps through your footwear, it is absorbed by your skin which causes your feet to become waterlogged.
If you work with wet feet all day, you’re likely to cause damage to your skin such as tears, blisters, and painful deep cracks which could ultimately affect your mobility.
So, one of the key things you need to check before you buy a pair of winter work boots is that they’re waterproof. We stock waterproof safety boots in a variety of shapes and styles.
Safety Features
Construction work can involve a risk of injury due to the nature of the materials and tools being used. Therefore another key factor when you’re deciding on a pair of work boots or shoes is the level of safety features they include.
Steel toe-capped boots will protect your toes from falling debris, making sure that if anything does land on your feet, they won’t cause too much damage. Many construction sites actually require that you have this type of safety boot. However, like other metals, they tend to hold the cold. By choosing a composite toe caps model (that still meets all the necessary safety requirements) you can help keep your toes warmer.
As well as protecting your toes, look out for designs that provide ankle support as well. This will help to prevent injuries if you walk on uneven surfaces. Our winter safety boots include some that have an ankle support system that provides support without compromising on comfort.
Insulated Insoles and Linings
As well as having a warm upper, winter safety boots that have insulated soles and linings will help to keep your feet nice and toasty when you’re working in cold conditions.
Our Poseidon Gor-Tex Safety Boot has been put through its paces to make sure it keeps feet at the right temperature and the results show it would work just as well on a Norweigan Glacier as it does in a British winter.
Sizing and Fit
As well as checking what features your boots have, once you’ve chosen a pair, make sure they fit properly. Not only does this increase your level of comfort, but it also reduces the risk of an accident as footwear that doesn’t fit properly can make your foot move around inside the boot, increasing the risk of a slip.
If you need a bit of extra room in your boots, have a look at our wide-fitting options. They provide you with the space you need to make sure your feet are comfortable and don’t feel pinched or squashed.
When it comes to the fit of your footwear, consider whether laces or a slip-on shoe, trainers, or boot is going to be the most practical option. Our range of safety footwear includes shoes and boots in both types of fit, giving you the flexibility to find which style suits your needs and that of your workplace the best.
Traction and Weight
Check the level of traction your boots provide as this is extremely important if you're going to be working outside. You need to ensure your boots have a good grip to help prevent slips and falls.
Our winter safety boots are made with Vibram soles which provide first-class traction and are anti-slip so you can feel confident working on-site in cold weather. Their distinctive deep tread provides outstanding grip and optimal stability to help keep you safe while you work.
The weight of the boot you require will be determined by your work environment. Our collection of lightweight boots is best suited for indoor work, whereas our more sturdy ones will keep you safe on a building site.
Durability
When it comes to safety boots, you want a pair that is built to last so that they provide you with the same level of protection at the end of the season as they did at the start. Footwear with leather uppers tends to be more durable so make sure you choose an upper that will meet the demands of your work.
Work Environment
Not all footwear is suitable for all conditions. A heavy, leather slip-on safety boot won’t be the best option for a warehouse. A lightweight boot is unlikely to meet the rigorous requirements of inclement weather conditions on a building site when it’s snowing.
Make sure you choose a boot that will provide you with the level of protection and all-day comfort the type of job you’ll be doing requires. Our winter safety boots come in all shapes, colours, and sizes so there’s something for all types of work environments.
What are Safety Ratings and What Do They Mean?
Safety ratings for work footwear give you peace of mind so that you can be satisfied that it meets certain standards. The standards are unified so that you know each rating is the same wherever you buy your safety footwear in the UK.
The safety ratings will be abbreviated so we’ve explained here what they mean.
SB (Safety Basic)
This is the most basic safety boot; they have a steel toe capsmodel to protect against 200-joule impact. Most boots have additional features added to them, and this will be shown with extra codes added.
S1
In addition to the 200-joule toe cap, it is resistant to fuel oil outside and also has energy absorption in the heel area.
S2
S2 has all the features of S1 with the addition of water resistance upper. It also has the added feature of SB with the 200 joule toe protection.
S3
S3 boots have the 200 joule toe cap with the added features of an S2 boot, however with the addition of penetration resistance. This can be either a stainless steel or aluminium insert in the sole or by Keviar sole.
S4
This type of boot has the same properties as S1 but with the addition of fully waterproof safety boots.
S5
This is the best type of basic rating you can get; any other feature will be added to this rating. It is the same as the S4 boot, with the addition of penetration resistance. This can be either a stainless steel or aluminium insert in the sole or by Keviar sole.
Safety is key when it comes to choosing the best winter boots for your needs. We’ve created this guide to help you pick the best option for you and have a look at our selection of safety shoes and boots.
