Most of us own some form of foot protection. It could be the clogs that you have ready to slip your feet into when you need a quick escape outside. Or a pair of rubber boots, which protect your feet from rain and ensure your balance on smooth lawns.

Sometimes, however, more protection is needed than a pair of ordinary rubber boots or clogs can provide. It can, for example, be at the workplace if you have to do a job where a pair of ordinary good shoes does not provide sufficient protection, or at home.

It is your employer's duty to ensure that you have the right safety equipment for the work you have to do. But therefore it is of course good to be familiar with the rules and duties in connection with carrying out work with risks.

Because the question is of course not only when to use safety shoes, but also: Which safety shoes should you use when?

Rules and duties for how and when to remove safety shoes

It is good to know the various duties involved in using security guards. They ensure that you are optimally protected, just as they ensure that the safety equipment itself does not cause damage to your body.

Here are a few important rules to remember:

· When you use safety shoes or other protective equipment in connection with work, remember that you must use them from the beginning of the work and throughout the work.

· Make sure the safety equipment is suitable for the work you have to do. Read more about the different types of foot protection below.

· Safety shoes must not only be suitable for the work you have to do; they must also fit properly so that you don't feel uncomfortable wearing them. Fit is important. That is why at Sikkerhedsgianten we distinguish between safety shoes for men and women.

Although it is your employer's duty to ensure that the above is overhauled, it is the employees' duty to help by, among other things, reporting errors and deficiencies in the equipment to the employer.

Different types of safety shoes: When should you use which?

You must use safety shoes when there is a risk of injury from the work you are doing. But one safety shoe rarely protects against all dangers – and you usually don't need it either. Therefore, safety footwear is available in many different shapes and materials, depending on what your feet need to be protected against.

Maybe you need to be protected against smooth surfaces and chemicals? Then a pair of safety rubber boots is a good bet. If you need to be protected against heavy objects that can fall from above and eat objects on the floor, you can go for a safety boot with a protective sole.

You will find both parts among our selection, and much more:

• Clogs : Safety clogs can fulfill many different needs depending on design and materials. Among our assortment, you can find both safety clogs with and without heel caps.

· If you prefer a foot protector that sits more firmly on the foot, you can choose a traditional one safety shoes or safety boots for the cold months.

• Rubberboots with and without protection. Rubber boots with protection are particularly suitable for those who work in the agricultural and veterinary industries. With a pair of good safety rubber boots, your feet are both protected from rain and mud as well as heavy objects.
• Work shoes , which, among other things, protects you from falling on smooth surfaces.

Safety footwear approvals: When is the CE marking necessary?

Another way to protect your feet during work is of course not to compromise on the safety of your foot protection. If the shoes are used in connection with business, it is a legal requirement that the safety guard is CE-marked. This is your guarantee that the safety footwear complies with EU legislation.

However, a CE marking is not your only guarantee that you will be properly protected during your work. The equipment must be used correctly, and a Danish user manual is always included with EU-approved safety equipment.

In this connection, be aware that it is your employer's duty to ensure that you know how to use the shoes correctly. That is that you receive the necessary instructions and that you are informed of the dangers of not wearing safety shoes.

How to extend the life of your safety shoes

Safety shoes are an investment in your safety, which we certainly cannot recommend that you slack off on. Look for proper quality – and of course a CE marking, so you are sure of a high standard.

However, it does not have to be an expensive investment. Because although decent quality has its price, you can make an effort yourself so that you don't have to go out and buy new safety shoes just yet.

Make sure to regularly clean your safety shoes with soap and water. This ensures that your shoes retain their protective functions for a longer time.

A pair of work shoes is often on the feet for many hours a day, and therefore many will also want to clean the inside of them, so that odors do not arise. In this case, use a deodorizer that is suitable for the purpose so that you do not risk damaging the inside of the shoes.

Safety shoes are designed to withstand the wear and tear of hard work, so if you put in the effort to care for them during their lifetime, you will have a good pair of safety shoes for a long time.

If you want to make an extra effort to take care of your feet when you use foot protection, you can take a look at our selection of foot care .

Do you want to know more about wearing safety shoes?

We hope that you have gained a good overview of the use of safety shoes. There are of course many rules in the area; rules which must ensure that everyone who performs risky work does not suffer injuries.

Therefore, here is a short summary with the most important rules to remember in relation to how and when to use safety shoes:

· Always wear safety shoes when work cannot be carried out safely without foot protection.

· Make sure you choose a pair of shoes that fit properly. In other words: try the shoes before you buy them.

· Consider the work you have to do and choose shoes that provide the necessary protection.

· Invest in quality and take care of your shoes so they last a long time. It is not worth compromising your safety.

If you want a more comprehensive insight into the use of safety shoes, we can recommend reading the Norwegian Occupational Safety and Health Administration's guidance. Find their guidance on using protective footwear here .

And don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need guidance in connection with the purchase of safety shoes.