Arc Flash Preventative Footwear

Electrical WirePersonal Protection Equipment (PPE) is not only the safe consideration for your personal safety, it is mandated by OSHA as well.
Those who work around or with electricity must be properly trained not only in their work-related tasks, but in the proper use, care, and application of Personal Protective Equipment. Electrical hazards require the worker to have head-to-toe protection, including hard hats, face shields, flame resistant neck protection, ear protection. Also, they should be outfitted with flame resistant work suits, insulated rubber gloves preferably with leather protectors, and insulated leather footwear.

All materials must be metal-free, to avoid the possibility of Arc flash, whereby a fault creats an electrical contact with the worker.

Since most employers now also require that their workers must also have steel toe protection, this creates another potential hazard whereby the steel toe cap itself could be the arc flash hazard.

Advances in materials and technology have introduced the Composite toecap footwear as an alternative to steel toe cap protection. Many current safety footwear manufacturers offer this style of protection, and it is now also available in an over-the-shoe rubber galosh version for those workers who may have difficulty wearing an over-the-sock toecap product. The over-the-shoe non-metallic Composite toecap product is encapsulated in rubber, thus providing an additional insulator against grounding.

Safety should be and is first and foremost in the workplace environment, but it is also important that the workers be as comfortable as possible in thier PPE so that it in itself is not a distraction to their work performance.

Learn to use, understand, and protect your PPE in the workplace so that it is safe for everyone.

To learn more about composite protective overshoes you can visit www.oshatoes.com

Tags:

categories General | rph January 28, 2010 | comments Comments (1)

Foot Protection In The Workplace

Foot Protection In The WorkplaceFoot protection in the workplace is an ever growing concern in the United States. Every day more and more companies are placing requirements for employees to wear steel toe protection. Steel toe boots and shoes greatly range in price depending on the brand and model. With the choice, and price range employees are sure to see a large difference in quality, comfort and style. For some, price is not a barrier to a good quality work shoe, but for many, price is the main factor in choosing which footwear provides the protection and comfort they desire as well as afford.

There are many types of protective steel toe options for the consumer to think about. The typical steel-toe boot, shoe and sneaker, or the old and handy large steel toe covers which were buckled over the user’s shoes. This model was bulky, loud and generally uncomfortable to wear or walk around in.

Now, into the future, a new generation of protective footwear has arrived based on the idea of the former.

An overshoe (or galosh) with a steel toe cap implanted inside, has changed the way we look at our work shoe foot protection altogether.

Now workers have more choice with the shoes they wear to work, while still maintaining the protection their employers’ require.  Workers wear their comfortable tennis or running shoes to work, slipping the protective overshoe over their comfortable shoes.

To learn more about protective overshoes you can visit www.oshatoes.com

Innovation is wonderful!

categories General | admin | comments Comments (0)