Safety Boots
Cromwell's range of safety boots delivers high-performance protection and comfort. Chosen with care and expertise, each boot is stylish and practical, with a variety of safety and convenience features, including the Boa lacing system.
We offer boots to suit all settings, including metal-free and slip-resistant options and so much more. Choose from leading brands like DeWalt®, Cofra® and Himalayan®.
What are safety boots?
Safety boots are durable boots engineered with a range of safety and comfort features. These include a reinforced toecap to protect against impact and crushing injuries, and a reinforced midsole to prevent puncture wounds.
Why safety boots?
A good pair of safety boots are ideal for wear in certain workplace settings. Used almost exclusively in heated and welding environments, they protect the foot and ankle up to the mid-calf (depending on the style) from extreme temperatures and metal splash. Welders' boots are a close fit design to prevent hot materials from getting into the boot and in contact with the skin.
Workers exposed to harsh conditions also benefit from boots over safety shoes or trainers. The neck of the boot can be secured around the ankle to protect against rain and snow. This protects against discomfort and cold and gives the option for tucking in work trousers for added protection against gales and wind.
When are safety boots used?
Widely used in heavy-duty environments, safety boots are popular with welders and tradesmen who frequently work outdoors and on building sites. The added protection around the ankle helps to stabilise workers who are frequently up and down ladders and who regularly lift and operate heavy agricultural machinery.
Safety boot types
There are lots of different safety boots on the market. Safety ratings (S ratings) help to find the best one for you. However, when it comes to sole material, there can be an awful lot of things to consider. So, we've broken it down for you to highlight the basic features of each.
• Nitrile (N) - Resistant to fuel, oils, acids and gives greater puncture resistance than natural rubber
• Polyurethane (PU) - Resists heat up to 130°C, low concentrations of acid/ alkali, and solvents
• Rubber (R) - Resists heat up to 200°C (300°C if HRO marked), oil, low concentrations of acid/ alkali, and solvents
• Dual Density PU (DD) - Resists heat up to 200°C (300°C if HRO marked), oil, low concentrations of acid/ alkali, and solvents
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - Resists heat up to 90°C, oil, low concentrations of acid/ alkali, and solvents
• PVC/Nitrile (PVN) - Resists heat up to 100°C, oil, low concentrations of acid/ alkali, and solvents
• Phylon (PH) - Lightweight and flexible
• Rubber/Phylon (RPH) - Lightweight and flexible
• Rubber/Polyurethane (RPU) - Rubber outsole combined with a PU interlayer for lightweight and hardwearing performance
• Thermo Plastic Urethane (TPU) - Abrasion and wear-resistant
Considerations when choosing a safety boot
• Upper - Available in a range of materials, consider your working environment when making this choice. Will you need waterproof material? Does the upper need to be scuff-resistant?
• Insole - An important contributor to overall comfort, a cushioned and supportive insole will protect against injuries and foot pain, align the feet, and support the foot arch.
• Midsole - A must-have where there are risks of puncture injuries, midsoles must resist 110kg minimum and pass a corrosion test. Available in a choice of materials, they can be flexible or weighty depending on user preference.
• Sole - Made from strong and durable materials, the type of sole required is usually dictated by the working environment. They're commonly made from rubber or polyurethane; however, a wide range of materials are now used to combat risks, including heat, chemical, and solvent exposure.
• Heel fit - Ensure this doesn't slip when walking, like all footwear, safety boots will give a little as they're broken in, so if they're slipping on the initial try-on, then you'll always have trouble with rubbing and blisters. A good tip is to wear the same socks you wear to work when trying on work boots to get a good feel on how they'll fit.
• Toecaps - Toecaps are made in a wide range of materials, each with its own benefits. However, all protective toecaps must give a minimum of 200 Joules protection against impact.
• Weight - Safety boots can be weighty anyway, but an aluminium or composite toecap and midsole will go a long way to reduce this.
Safety boot jargon buster
To help you navigate our range of safety boots a little better, we've put together an explanation of a key safety standard seen widely on technical datasheets.
What does the safety footwear standard EN ISO 20344:2004 (A1:2007) mean?
EN ISO 20344:2004 (A1:2007) is not as complicated as it first appears. It outlines the test requirements for slip resistance in safety footwear and allocates a safety code according to the results of each test.
Let's break it down...
• EN- The currently applicable standard across Europe
• ISO - The International Organisation for Standardisation define international safety standards
• 20344 - The assigned legislation number
• 2004 - The year this safety standard was updated
• A1 - Amendment one
• 2007 - The date this amendment took place
FAQs
What's the difference between safety shoes and safety boots?
Safety shoes and trainers usually stop just below the ankle, while safety boots provide coverage of the ankle as a minimum and can extend to mid-calf depending on the type.
What are the limitations of safety boots?
Any limitations of safety boots are often based on personal preference. Not everyone likes the high-cut style around their ankles, which causes irritation and soreness for some. However, a lot of safety boot designs have evolved to combat this issue: look out for padded collars when shopping for safety boots, they really do make all the difference.
Overall, safety boots are bound to be heavier than safety shoes or trainers, purely because more material has gone into making them. The heavier the shoe or boot, the more tired the wearer will ultimately become. But for those where safety boots are a must for protection, metal-free versions are just as good, still offering the same level of protection, but without the weight of the metal.
Does my employer have to supply steel toe boots?
The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 clearly states that an employer is responsible for providing a safe environment for their employees. Risk assessments should be carried out, and if there are risks of injury from impact or puncture from sharps, then safety boots must be provided.
Can I wear my own safety boots at work?
Employers provide safety footwear to control the risk of injury. This footwear will be new and suitable for the environment where risks are posed. You may prefer your own, worn in safety boots, but they may not protect you from the hazards of your environment.
For more information on safety boots see our Safety Footwear Guide... https://www.cromwell.co.uk/info/safety-technical-safety-footwear