Why a good boot is so important

[HAIX Footwear UK]

It seems obvious but our entire body weight is supported by our feet. With 49 individual bones and small joints, our feet have 250,000 sweat glands and the average pair gives off about half a pint of perspiration per day.

 

According to the College of Podiatry, between 75% and 80% of the adult population have some form of foot problem. By basing the design of its boots on the complex anatomy of the foot and orthopaedic requirements, HAIX’s designers are able to ensure that their customer’s can comfortably deal with the excessive strain that comes from a demanding job. Exactly which functions will be carried out by the wearer determine how each element of the boot – the upper, sole, support systems and materials – interacts. This attention to complex detail protects the wearer from the risk of misalignment of the feet.

 

In accordance with the Health and Safety Executive’s chainsaw PPE requirements, safety footwear should have “good grip and protective guarding at the front vamp and instep.” However, as with any PPE and as per the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, it should be a last resort that is implemented after a risk assessment and attempts have been made to eliminate or reduce the hazard. As a sector, forestry workers face numerous hazards every day, including the use of machinery and tools, lifting and moving, repetitive movement and loud noise forming just some of the stated causes of non-fatal injuries. The risk of injury from machinery and tools was present in 80% of agricultural, forestry and fishing sector workplaces, while slips, trips and falls are the most common non-fatal injury in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector with 22% of cases.

 

When choosing the right safety boot it makes sense to check that you are not investing in unnecessary features. If the only hazard that you will encounter is slipping, it’s most unlikely that your boot will need to have a steel toe cap. As part of HAIX’s customer-facing approach, a boot trial can provide both invaluable insight for the arborist when choosing the right boot and for HAIX in determining how best to match the wearer’s requirements.

 

Steve Dresser, health and safety consultant and auditor specialising in forestry and member of the Forestry Industry Safety Accord recently trialled HAIX’s Protector Forest boot. He said: “I have worked in the forestry industry for 43 years, serving 25 years as a contractor and 18 in my current position in management and health and safety advising. I visit different sites on a daily basis. Workplace hazards are extensive, with the potential for falling objects, potential punctures, and slips trips and falls. Safety boots are vital.

 

“HAIX’s Protector Forest worked for me as I could go about my everyday duties in comfort, safe in the knowledge that my feet were protected.”

 

HAIX’s dedicated forestry boot range is all compliant with the EN ISO 17249:2007 standard, meaning that each forestry boot from HAIX possesses resistance to chain saw cutting. Furthermore, each HAIX forestry boot benefits from metal free cut protection, ranging from cut level 1 (20m/sec.) to cut level 3 (28m/sec.). This accredited safety protection combines with the waterproof and breathable qualities to provide and safe and comfortable boot.

 

To find out more about the HAIX range of boots, visit our website at http://www.haix.co.uk or you can find us on Facebook at HAIX Global and Twitter @HaixGlobal.

Edited June 15, 2016 by HAIX Footwear UK
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