Pricing and Costs of Safety Footwear

Learn to save money on industrial safety footwear

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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