Business owners need to consider the pricing and costs of safety footwear when they do business in an industry that warrants it. Safety shoes can be an important part of keeping your workers safe from harm.

Of course, some businesses require workers to purchase their own safety footwear. If that is the case, you should be able to point your employees in the direction of workboots that are safe for your industry, yet affordable.

When you think about the pricing and costs of safety footwear:

1. Check with your lawyer to see what the law or union requires. In some cases, the employer must provide safety workboots, but in many cases, the law is ambiguous, leaving workers and business owners to work out the details between themselves.

2. Think about the repercussions of not providing industrial safety footwear. It's probably cheaper to pay for safety shoes for your employees than to have to pay for a lawsuit should an accident happen.

3. Consider whether accessories can do the job. Some accessories can turn regular shoes into safety shoes. Depending on your needs, this can be a cost-effective solution.

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Purchase directly from a safety shoe manufacturer

There are many manufacturers of steel toe boots and other types of safety shoes. You may feel most comfortable working directly with a manufacturer. In some cases, prices may be high, but you may be able to work out a discount when you agree to do business solely with a particular manufacturer.

I recommend: Wolverine offers both men's and women's safety footwear and allows you to search their catalog based on the safety issues in your workplace. Due to the high quality of their boots, expect to pay between $100-200. Dickies Footwear is another well known manufacturer, with prices between $50-100.

Shop for safety boots and shoes through discount websites

Many company owners find that it's easier to shop through a discount website than from the manufacturer. This allows you to compare many different brands of shoes and find the best price.

I recommend: BootBay.com offers a large selection of steel-toe boots and other types of work boots. You can save up to 50% off of their low cost when you purchase boots that are on clearance. You can also find discount safety boots and shoes at DiscountSafetyGear.com, which offers prices starting around $30.

Save money by purchasing safety shoe accessories

A simple accessory may be all your employees need to turn their regular shoes into work-appropriate footwear. Depending on your needs, this could be an excellent option.

I recommend: Yaktrax offers a traction solution. Their product slips over your regular shoes to allow your employees to walk safely in icy conditions. With prices between $20-30, they can save a lot of money over safety boots. Medical workers may simply need slip-resistant shoe covers, like those from AIW, to be safe in their workplace. Disposable covers come in 100 pairs per case for around $30-$35.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some companies offer a 'shoe mobile' that will come to your workplace. This gives your employees the opportunity to buy safety footwear easily. You can set up regulations specifying what types of safety shoes workers should buy, making it simple for them to find what they need.

Workboots are an essential piece of safety equipment on many job sites. Safety shoes provide you with the protection and safety that you need in potentially dangerous environments like construction sites.

1. Steel-toe boots protect your feet from falling objects on the job site.
2. You’ll protect your feet from punctures with work boots.
3. Safety boots can protect you from electrical charges.
4. A steel toe shoe will also give you traction and stability in slippery, wet conditions.

If you work in conditions that pose a potential danger to your feet, you must look into safety shoes. Many job sites require safety footwear because of the risks, but even if yours doesn’t, you’ll have the reassurance of wearing steel toe boots and knowing that your feet are better protected than in ordinary shoes.

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Look for a safety shoe with the right protection for your job

Workboots should have a tag on the shoes indicating the protection they offer. Steel-toe boots should have either a green or yellow triangle on the tag. Other protective shoes will have different symbols, such as a yellow square for anti-static protection.

I recommend: Vanderbilt’s sells a range of work boots with different protection certification.

Choose workboots with the additional protection you need

Although you may need one particular type of safety shoe, such as a steel toe shoe, look for work boots that also provide other protective benefits. For example, you may want water proof or water resistant boots if you work outside in wet or muddy areas.

I recommend: MetBoots sells a number of steel-toe boots that also feature electric hazard protection and slip resistant soles.

Buy comfortable safety footwear

Although you need the right protection, you also need boots that are comfortable to wear and that provide you with good foot and ankle support. Even if you decide to order online, visit a local retailer to try the shoes on if it's the first time you're buying a particular brand or style.

I recommend: Wolverine work boots are popular, comfortable choices for many workers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Safety footwear, especially boots, can run differently than regular shoes on the size you'll wear. You may need to go up a size or two in order to get a safety shoe that fits comfortably.

Safety footwear is vital for workers in a variety of industries. If you're in charge of making purchases for your employees, it's vital to understand the safety footwear basics to understand what types of shoes you should purchase for your employees.

Your workers will thank you if you choose to provide them with the workboots they need to get the job done. Make sure that you get their correct size for the brand that you purchase. Sometimes shoe sizes vary from brand to brand.

When looking at a safety footwear, consider the best types of safety shoes to buy:

1. Choose the right type of shoe for your industry. It's important for you to assess the potential risks your workers face and select a shoe that prevents harm. Steel-toe boots are necessary in a variety of industries, but they are not the only type of safety shoe.

2. Think about comfort as well as protection. Your workers will spend long hours wearing their work boots. Make sure their feet are comfortable.

3. Don't forget to regularly purchase new boots. As safety shoes get older, they sometimes lose a bit of their effectiveness. Replace shoes as often as necessary.

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Purchase steel-toe workboots to protect your workers

Steel-toe shoes are essential in industries where your employees work with heavy objects. If someone were to accidentally drop something on his or her foot, the steel protects his or her foot from any major damage.

I recommend: Cat Footwear makes both men's and women's safety footwear, including popular steel toe construction boots. Danner is another industry leader.

Prevent a shock with high voltage safety boots

If you work in the electrical industry or are just around electrical hazards, then you know how important electrical safety boots are. These boots are typically rubber and prevent you from getting a shock.

I recommend: Salisbury offers a number of electrical safety products, including their popular dielectric boots. You may also be interested in Carolina, which produces many different types of work boots, many of which feature "static dissipative" qualities to avoid a shock.

Stay safe outside with rough terrain safety footwear

If you work outside, then you should have shoes that match your position. Look for shoes that allow you to walk comfortably and easily in all types of terrain.

I recommend: Order a Jallatte catalog to see if they have the right shoes for you. Jordan David produces all-terrain footwear that can keep you from slipping in icy conditions.

Purchase safety boots for the agricultural industry

Agricultural workers need protection from more than just mud! Look for boots that cover legs for ultimate protection.

I recommend: MCR Safety is an industry leader for agricultural safety boots. Wellington boots are also ideal for farmers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you require your workers to purchase their own safety footwear, try to negotiate a group discount through a vendor so that employees don't have to pay full price.

For owners of shoe stores, or distributors of footwear, knowing the key terms for safety footwear will help you to increase business profits while meeting customer needs. There are many types of safety footwear designs available, so it is vital to your business to learn what they are, as well as to know what kind of footwear is best for customers who work in certain areas. Your selling abilities will improve as you continue to educate yourself about these key terms.

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Steel-toe shoes

Steel-toe shoes have protective material that protects the foot from punctures, as well as when objects fall. Sometimes steel is used, but plastic materials also are used. Steel-toed shoes and boots are required footwear for workers at construction sites or those working with dangerous machinery.

I recommend: See a variety of steel-toe boots and shoes at Steel-Toe Shoes.

Electrical hazard boots

For electricians and other workers who come in contact with live circuits, electrical hazard boots are required footwear. This type of footwear protects wearers from electrical shock on dry surfaces.

I recommend: Compare styles of electrical hazard boots at Met Boots.

Slip-resistant shoes

Slip-resistant shoes prevent workers from falling on icy or wet areas because of materials that grip surfaces. There are slip-resistant shoes for construction workers to keep them safe on the job and for hikers who walk on dangerous terrain.

I recommend: There is a wide variety of slip-resistant shoes at SRMax.

Static-dissipating shoes

Static-dissipating shoes protect workers from static buildup in offices with machines or equipment. These safety shoes control the amount of static in a person's system to lessen the danger of static shock. Workers who manufacture computer components, explosives and solvent-based paints wear static-dissipating shoes.

I recommend: Read about static-dissipating shoes at Safe Shoes.

Puncture-resistant shoes

Puncture-resistant shoes protect wearers from punctures by nails, screws and other sharp objects. These shoes have heavy plates between the sole and insole and are ideal footwear for workers in construction, demolition and law enforcement.

I recommend: Check out the varieties at Working Person's Store.

Metatarsal shoes

Metatarsal shoes protect the upper foot where the metatarsal bones are from falling objects and other hazards. Metatarsal shoes can either have an external guard, which is a flap that covers the top of the shoe, or an internal guard, which isn't visible. Metatarsal shoes are ideal for those who work with heavy equipment and machinery.

I recommend: Compare external and internal metatarsal shoes at Metatarsals.