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SAFETY FOOTWEAR V-TECH Safety Footwear I


t is confirmed by the Health and Safety Executive that slips trips and falls are the most common cause of major injuries at work and 95% of major slips result in broken bones. The cost to employers in the UK alone is £512 million a year. V tech Footwear has researched specialist


sole designs and compounds and developed the Flexlite sole which is used on its V8 boots. The products have been independently tested at the top UK laboratories on a variety of floor surfaces including smooth steel flooded with glycerol and achieve coveted SRC rating. V tech is in the business of creating attractive safety footwear using


technical materials to offer what has become known as ‘Weekend footwear for work’ The demand is increasingly for products which are light and flexible and are as stylish as any other footwear. As youngsters join today’s workforce they are used to wearing lightweight trainer type footwear and this new generation of work footwear is readily accepted by the consumer. There is also an increasing requirement for large sizes and V8 is now available from size 3 to 16 to cover the whole workforce. The V8 Aztec is made as the footwear of the future will be, using the


latest technical materials to make it metal free, yet exceeding the safety standards of EN 20345. The toecap is made from composite materials that will withstand a 200 joule impact and the composite nail resist midsole provides underfoot protection.


The great advantage of these materials is that they are lighter weight than traditional steel equivalents and do not conduct the cold. V8s incorporate an energy return footbed which can be replaced, improving hygiene, posture and comfort. Metal free footwear is becoming an increasing requirement as security


scanners become more commonplace. V8s are used in the uniform industry from baggage handlers to delivery drivers and from the factory floor to the construction site and are available in a number of colour ways. To help stockists large quantities are held for fast next day delivery in V Tech’s hub warehouse along with a large choice of other innovative footwear and are supported by eye-catching point of sale material.


www.vtechfootwear.com What type of safety footwear should be worn on sites? The following types of safety footwear are commonly


used in the construction industry: THE SAFETY BOOT OR SHOE. This is the most common type of


safety footwear and it has a steel toe-cap and most types have a protected mid-sole. They are usually worn by trades such as groundworkers, bricklayers, demolition workers etc; WELLINGTON BOOTS. These should be worn to protect against


water and corrosive materials such as cement. They are usually made from rubber but are available in polyurethane and PVC which is warmer and more resistant to chemicals, oils, petrol, greases and sunlight. Wellington boots can be obtained with corrosion resistant toe-caps, rot-proof insoles, ankle bone padding and cotton linings. They range from ankle boots to chest-high waders. This type of footwear should be worn for operations where water or other liquids may be present, eg in excavations, sewer renovation, concrete pours, etc. For site use the boots should also have impact resistance (steel) toe caps. SAFETY 'TRAINERS'. In recent years a range of softer, more


flexible safety footwear, known as safety trainers, have been introduced. These are fitted with a protective toe-cap and anti-slip soles. While their resistance to sole penetration is usually less than that provided by the safety boot they can be worn for a variety of construction activities, provided the working area is free from materials likely to penetrate the wearer’s foot. Typical trades that may find safety trainers useful include


scaffolders and roofworkers where the level of grip and flexibility of the footwear is important as a safety feature in helping to ensure an adequate foothold when working at heights.


This information is reproduced from a leaflet published by the Health and Safety Executive


30 • FOOTWEAR TODAY


• NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011


Call for Nominations –Don’t forget to nominate by 30th November


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