Comment
Putting your best foot forward
Trackside workers can spend most of their shift on their feet, in all weathers. Yvette Ashby, managing director of the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show, looks at the footwear requirements for lineside staff
track and signalling engineers, as well as overhead electrification specialists. And with this expansion in the workforce, there will be a corresponding increase in demand for safety workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE). In the rail industry, the safety of rail
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workers is paramount at all times and it is vital that employers ensure staff are kitted out in line with health and safety regulations in mandatory, fit-for-purpose safety clothing, PPE and safety footwear. In terms of safety footwear, the need for
functional, robust and comfortable boots is important. Luckily, there has never been so much choice in the market as there is today. While this is good news for the workforce, it can be well nigh impossible for a health and safety or procurement manager to know where to start. A comprehensive risk assessment will
dictate the specific safety requirements of footwear by identifying the potential hazards that the wearer needs to be protected from in their working environment. In the rail industry, these vary from electrical hazards and uneven and slippery surfaces to falling objects, including heavy machinery and the presence of oil, chemicals and sharp objects. It is also important to take into consideration the fact that track-side workers will be exposed to all the elements and must be protected from inclement
MARCH 2012 PAGE 23
s plans progress for Crossrail and HS2, there will undoubtedly be a significant increase in demand for technical rail workers, including
weather. If workers’ cold feet contribute to a reduction in core body temperature, this can lead to them not only feeling the cold but losing concentration and motivation. Ultimately, their productivity falls. Unlike clothing, which can be easily
added or removed as and when needed, safety footwear is worn throughout a shift or an entire day. It is therefore essential that safety boots are breathable. Trackside staff can cover a great deal of
ground, spending most of a shift walking non-stop for several miles while inspecting or repairing track, so comfort is a necessity for long periods of use. Above all, safety footwear for rail
professionals should be selected to fit the specification for the environment where it will be worn. Generally for track-side staff and technical engineers this means safety boots that are robust, provide good ankle
protection and support, have a hard wearing sole, tough tread, steel toe-cap/steel mid sole, comply with BS EN ISO20345 and provide wearer comfort and waterproof protection. This sounds like a tall order but help
is at hand from safety workwear and PPE manufacturers and suppliers that have years of experience providing rail networks with the workwear and safety footwear they need to keep their workforce protected. The days of ‘one-shoe-fits-all’ are long
gone when it comes to safety footwear. There are many more decisions to be made when procuring footwear and it is vital to ensure that safety boots and shoes are not only durable, fit for purpose and conform with EN standards, but are also comfortable and a good fit.
n The Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show (
www.workwearshow.com) takes place from 17-18 April at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. It is a major event in the professional clothing industry’s calendar and will showcase the best and most innovative suppliers of workwear, corporate clothing and personal protective equipment in the industry
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