KEEN Article August 2012_Layout 1 7/11/12 10:32 AM Page 54

Putting
Your Best
Foot
Forward
on the Job
Welders should consider the many
options for protective toes, soles,
and construction types available
when deciding what boots to buy

BY MARK REILLY For skilled craft trades across the

(info@keenfootwear.com) is the
Keen Utility division director,
Portland, Ore.
board, finding the right boots to
wear during your workday, espe-
cially if most of that time is spent
standing, is like finding the right tool
for your job. First, evaluate your
needs and requirements, then pro-
ceed with selecting the ideal style
for your working environment.

ach day, welders rely on numer- step or accident can result in varying lev- the terminologies will help you to better

E ous types of protective gear to

help keep them safe while per-
forming various tasks. Forming a foun-
dation literally from the ground up, start-
ing with the importance of footwear,
must not be forgotten.
A proper pair of work boots is essen-
tial not only to protect your feet and toes
but also to improve traction and stability
on a variety of surfaces and environ-
ments, plus provide comfort and durabil-
ity while standing for long periods — see
lead photo.
The human foot contains 26 relatively
small bones, more than 150 ligaments,
and an intricate network of muscles,
nerves, and blood vessels. One small mis-
els of injury, causing time lost and com-
promised well-being.
According to the most recent report
from the National Occupational Re-
search Agenda in conjunction with the
Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion, there were 689,700 nonfatal occu-
pational injuries and illnesses in the man-
ufacturing sector in 2008. The leading
causes resulting in days away from work
due to injury were contact with objects
or equipment and falls (Ref. 1).
The market is full of manufacturers
introducing new boots, proprietary tech-
nologies, and the latest and greatest ad-
ditions to the art of safety footwear. Un-
derstanding what you need and knowing
find what is hoped will be your favorite
pair of boots. After all, comfortable feet
make the work day easier and let you
focus on the real job at hand.
Know Your Needs
Understanding the various safety fea-
tures in work boots is paramount to find-
ing the right one for your needs. Always
start with your safety manager or fore-
man to determine if there are specific
safety-gear requirements for your partic-
ular job or project.
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration enforces guidelines for
occupational foot protection based on re-

54 AUGUST 2012
KEEN Article August 2012_Layout 1 7/11/12 10:33 AM Page 55

quirements established by the American

National Standards Institute (ANSI).
These guidelines help to ensure that Tips for Buying
skilled craftsmen and laborers wear the
right protection when exposed to job site
Industrial Work Boots
hazards including electrical, falling, slip-
pery surfaces, and much more. Just as you prepare for a long day on the job, shopping the right way for
It is important to review requirements your work boots takes preparation as well. Below are simple tips to remem-
with your employer and be sure to select ber when shopping for your next pair of work boots.
footwear that meets these needs. • Do Your Research First. Find out what requirements you might have
Footwear manufacturers do a good job in your work environment and what personal needs you may have.
of creating footwear that are ANSI com- • Shop for Boots in the Afternoon or Early Evening. Feet tend to swell
pliant, but knowing what you need ahead throughout the day, especially for those on their feet. By selecting footwear
of time will save time and effort. when your feet are at their largest, your work boots will feel comfortable,
Presented below are terminologies even on the longest days.
and types of safety and performance fea- • Come Prepared. Bring a typical pair of socks that you might wear to
tures that help to keep feet safe and better understand how your boots might fit.
comfortable. • Do Not Forget about Comfort. While protection is paramount, com-
fort, as they say, is king. Brands today incorporate so many comfort fea-
Exploring Steel, tures to partner with their performance and protection enhancements. An-
timicrobial insoles, lighter, more asymmetrical steel toes, additional
Aluminum, and padding, and other modern comfort features all go into making a pair of
Composite Safety Toes boots comfortable.
• Do Not Forget Your Homework. Yes, the job does not end when you
Finding the right protective toe is, in punch out. Aftercare for your footwear provides a longer life for your boots.
part, preference. There are three types Treat leather with mink oil or leather treatments to keep materials supple
of protective toes — steel, composite, and resistant to water. Also, store your boots in a clean, dry place to re-
and aluminum. All three toes can be duce odors and preserve the leather.
ASTM rated similarly for protection. Of-
tentimes, workers will select a specific
safety toe based on their working envi-
ronment and needs.
Steel Toes. Steel toes are the tradi-
tional choice for protective toe caps and
are the heaviest and most compact. While
your feet are not exposed to the steel in-
sert, steel toes can conduct heat more
than alternative safety options. Footwear
manufacturers today have begun devis-
ing ways to improve the fit and comfort
of steel toes by using protective toe-caps
designed for the fit and size of the boot.
For example, Keen Utility uses asymmet-
rical safety toes in industrial footwear
that are contoured to the shape of the
toes and feet, reducing bulk and weight
without sacrificing safety.
Aluminum Toes. Aluminum toes offer
another choice for lightweight protection
while still meeting ANSI/ASTM safety
standards. They are thicker than steel
toes and provide a good option for work-
ers looking for the most lightweight
choice in footwear.
Composite Toes. Composite toes are
typically comprised of carbon fiber, plas-
tic, or Kevlar®. They comply with
ANSI/ASTM safety requirements and
are lighter than steel toes but are the
thickest option for a safety toe and there- While deciding what kind of industrial boots to wear in the workplace, keep an eye
fore have a bulkier silhouette than their out for key features that will help protect as well as provide comfort for your feet
steel or aluminum counterparts. Com- during long days. As an example, pointed out here is the construction of Keen
posite toes do not transfer cold or heat Utility’s Pittsburgh model.
and because they are nonmetallic, offer

WELDING JOURNAL 55
KEEN Article August 2012_Layout 1 7/11/12 10:35 AM Page 56

a good safety option for workers passing
through metal detectors or working in an
environment that needs to stay metal
free.
Details on Metatarsal
Guards
Manufacturin
Manufacturing
uring Work boots with metatarsal guards
help to protect the upper foot and toe
Flux Cored areas from heavy falling objects; how-
ever, a side benefit of an external guard
for welders is added protection to the
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Midsole. A
boot’s midsole is designed to disperse
weight or provide stability for the foot.
An ethylene vinyl acetate midsole is a
foam-like material that is lightweight,
flexible, and cushions the foot with each
step.
Reviewing Various
Boot Configurations
How a boot is constructed can be di-
rectly related to weight, flexibility, and

Welding
elding Wire
W upper foot and laces that might be
burned by falling hot materials.
performance. Footwear brands are con-
tinually innovating construction methods
to improve durability and comfort for the
COBALT
LT Protection Taken to wearer. Various constructions include the
following:
the Next Level
Cement Construction. Cement con-
struction means the boot’s sole is ce-
NICKEL There are a few products on the mar-
ket today that take protection to the next mented directly to the upper. This con-
level in footwear. struction is lightweight and flexible but
Tough-Tec leather provides increased may result in delamination over time. Ce-
HARDFACE
E abrasion resistance and is often added to
the boot’s upper to provide further pro-
ment constructed boots cannot be
resoled.
tection in that area as well as to the foot. Goodyear® Welt Construction.
Goodyear® welt construction provides
STAINLESS
TAINLESS For those craftsmen working near
open flames, Kevlar® fibers offer fire re- durability for footwear as the upper and
sistance. A few manufacturers utilize inner sole are stitched together with a
Kevlar® laces for firefighting and weld- leather strip or ‘welt.’ The sole is then
ALLOY
Y STEEL
EEL ing wear that do not melt when heat is
applied, like nylon laces.
stitched through the welt. This process
allows boots to be resoled or repaired,
extending the longevity of the footwear.
All About Soles Industry Innovations. Footwear man-
TOOL STEEL
STEE
EEL ufacturers are always challenging them-
There are a number of durable mate- selves to find the next best way to create
rials on the market creating outsoles that safety footwear. You see brands innovat-
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENAN CE are long wearing, slip resistant, and pro-
tective. While certain industries may re-
ing welt construction to improve flexibil-
ity, durability, and even appearance.
quire a specific material, having an un- Keen Utility recently unveiled a new
derstanding of the options will help you welted construction that combines
FORGE ALLO
ALLOYS
OYS make a more informed decision. Goodyear® welt with a cemented toe
Rubber Outsole. This catchall term cap, protecting the stitching and reduc-
refers to the bottom of the boot; how- ing delamination from repeated flexes,
CUSTOM ALLOYS
OYS ever, understanding its materials and
their functions is paramount. Rubber is
which is a good feature for welders and
other workers constantly bending and
a common outsole component and is typ- flexing their feet on the job site.

COR-MET,, INC.
COR-MET, ically abrasion, oil, and slip resistant —
important features for work in construc- Final Thoughts
tion or manufacturing settings. Vibram®
12500 Grand
and River Rd. is a high-performance rubber, a good From choosing what toe type suits
your work needs to determining the right
choice for work sites with rugged ter-
Brighton, MI 481
48116
116 rains, and provides maximum traction on
both wet and dry surfaces. Manufactur-
construction model, there are many fac-
tors to consider when selecting which
industrial boot is best for your job
800-848-2719
PH: 800 -848-27 719 ers often have their own proprietary rub-
bers, allowing their outsoles to have ad- requirements.◆
ditional performance or safety attributes.
FAX: 810
FA 810-227-9266
-227-9266 Thermo Polyurethane Outsole. Out-
Reference
soles made from thermo polyurethane
www.cor-met.com
www.cor
ww -met.com
t.com are long-wearing and abrasion, oil, and
chemical resistant. Designed to be tough, 1. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.

sales@cor-met.com
sales@cor -met.co
t.com they typically resist splitting, and are 2010-142, www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-
more lightweight than their rubber 142/pdfs/2010-142.pdf.
For info go to www.aws.org/ad-index counterparts.

56 AUGUST 2012
Bulan Feature August 2012_Layout 1 7/10/12 2:47 PM Page 58

Although flying particles such as

metal, slag from chipping, dirt,
sparks, and debris from grinding
cause nearly 70% of job-related
eye injuries, those injuries can
be easily prevented by a good
pair of safety glasses.

Safeguarding Your Vision

Here’s why safety glasses are a must on the fab shop floor

ye safety on the job isn’t just protection wind up with injuries.

E something that’s good to practice.

BY JAMY BULAN,
EMILY CULL, AND
FRANK STUPCZY
JAMY BULAN, EMILY CULL, and
FRANK STUPCZY are with The
Lincoln Electric Co., Cleveland,
Ohio, www.lincolnelectric.com.
It’s necessary and important, es-
pecially when you consider this stagger-
ing statistic from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention: Each day, ap-
proximately 2000 U.S. workers receive
medical treatment after suffering an eye-
related injury on the job.
Such work-related injuries result in
blindness for thousands every year, ac-
cording to the U.S. Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA).
The majority of these injuries occur be-
cause the victim used improper eye pro-
tection or, even worse, there was a com-
plete lack of correct protective equip-
ment. Case in point: According to the Bu-
reau of Labor Statistics, three out of five
workers who do not wear eye and face
It’s no surprise OSHA requires em-
ployers to provide proper eye protection
to all workers who might encounter haz-
ards in the workplace environment.
Welders and metal fabricators are no ex-
ception. It is critical that everyone work-
ing in these industries wear proper per-
sonal protective equipment (PPE) to en-
sure his or her eyes stay safe and healthy
while on the job.
Although eye protection designed for
use in the welding industry includes
everything from welding helmets to face
shields, perhaps the simplest, but still
vital, eye protection is safety glasses. In-
expensive, easy-to-use, and effective,
safety glasses are the first level of pro-
tection for your eyes in a welding or fab-
ricating situation.

58 AUGUST 2012
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No Safety Glasses?
Danger Ahead!
Failing to wear safety glasses poses nu-
merous risks for welders and fabricators.
Flying particles — metal, slag from chip-
ping, dirt, sparks, and debris from grind-
ing — cause nearly 70% of job-related
eye injuries. These small particles can fly
into an unprotected eye, causing
scratches or other damage. While these
particles are a hazard that might not al-
ways be seen, they can easily be pre-
vented by a good pair of safety glasses
(see lead photo).
Other potential dangers in a welding
or fabricating environment include fly-
ing sparks, as well as chemical splashes.
Safety glasses can help to protect eyes
from both of these dangers, though a face
shield is recommended in addition to
safety glasses if you’re working with
chemicals. There is no such thing as being
too cautious when it comes to eye safety.
While you should always wear safety
glasses in the shop, whether you are weld-
ing or doing other fabricating work, re-
member one important thing: Never weld
with safety glasses alone. Always wear a
welding helmet, preferably an autodark-
ening one that automatically adjusts its
shade level depending on the brightness
of the welding arc. Helmets are required
to protect your eyes from “welder’s flash”
or “arc eye,” which occurs when the arc
or heat rays inflame the eyeball’s cornea.
Though these dangers can be pre-
vented by wearing safety glasses, it’s also
important to remember that PPE, while
necessary, should always be considered
the last line of defense while on the job-
site. As a first line of defense, you should
try to eliminate or control the hazard as
much as you reasonably can, through safe
welding and fabricating procedures, as
well as use of the correct, up-to-date
equipment. Personal protection equip-
ment should never be considered an al-
ternative to correct procedure and equip-
ment on the jobsite. Instead, view it as
an extension of those elements — some-
thing that provides added assurance and
safety.
Regulations and Testing
OSHA regulations, specifically stan-
dards 1910.133 covering General Indus-
try and 1926.102 covering Construction,
require employers to protect their em-
ployees from known eye and face hazards
through the provision of proper PPE.
Such equipment must comply with the
requirements set out in ANSI Z87.1,
Practice for Occupational and Educa-
tional Eye and Face Protection. This stan-
dard from the American National Stan-
dards Institute (ANSI) is used to certify
safety glasses for workplace applications.
The most recent version of the standard
was released in 2010.
ANSI Z87.1 describes a variety of re-
quired tests safety glasses must pass be-
fore they are certified for use in the work-
place. This includes tests for impact and
coverage, as well as protection against
splash, dust, and optical radiation. One
such test is the high velocity test, which
determines the impact a pair of safety
glasses can withstand by shooting a metal
ball at the glasses. If the glasses shatter,
they do not meet the requirements out-
lined in the standard.
Safety glasses will always be marked
to indicate their compliance with ANSI
Z87.1, as well as their impact rating. For
instance, glasses that can withstand a
higher level of impact will be marked
Z87.1+. Such ratings can help you select
the proper pair of glasses for your weld-
ing and fabricating applications.
ANSI/AWS Z49.1:2012, Safety in
Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, is
also an important standard for welders
and fabricators to understand, as it out-
lines the operations and usage standards
for safety in welding, cutting, and allied
processes, including the importance of
proper PPE and use of ANSI Z87.1 rated
PPE.
Choosing a Pair of Safety
Glasses
There are a variety of factors to con-
sider when selecting a pair of safety
glasses. The first element is sizing and fit.
Safety glasses should always have side
protection (side shields or wraparound
frames), fully covering the front and sides
of the eye area. To find the best fit, try
on different styles of glasses to determine
the best size and shape for your needs. If
you wear prescription eyeglasses, safety
glasses are available that are made to fit
over prescription lenses, such as Lincoln
Electric’s Cover2® safety glasses.
Comfort and weight are also impor-
tant. Most wearers prefer lighter safety
glasses for a long day on the job. Such
features as padding located at pressure
points can also make a big difference in
the comfort of a pair of safety glasses.
Some safety glasses have padding made
of soft rubber or elastomers on the touch
points (nose area and the temple tips) to
provide a more comfortable and secure
fit than uncovered hard plastic.
If you’re working in areas where con-
densation occurs, consider purchasing a
pair of glasses with an antifog coating.
And, if you need extra help reading or
viewing close work, bifocal safety glasses
are available.
Fig. 1 — If you are cutting and grinding,
you may need a pair of shaded safety
glasses. These glasses usually provide
shade 5 infrared protection.
WELDING JOURNAL 59
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Shade is another important aspect of
choosing safety glasses. Clear safety
glasses should be worn underneath a
welding helmet when welding — the
safety glasses will protect the eyes from
sparks or other debris, while the shaded
helmet prevents eye damage that could
be caused by the ultrabright arc.
In grinding and cutting situations,
shaded safety glasses may be required.
Typically, these safety glasses provide
shade 5 infrared protection — Fig. 1.
For outdoor work, such as on a con-
struction site, safety glasses are impor-
For info go to www.aws.org/ad-index
60 AUGUST 2012
tant as well and are available in a variety
of tints. Glasses such as Lincoln Electric’s
Finish Line™ outdoor safety glasses keep
eyes safe from debris and other jobsite
hazards while incorporating a mirrored
lens that protects eyes against the bright-
ness of the sun.
Goggles or safety glasses with a 360-
deg foam liner often are recommended
in cutting and grinding environments, as
well as on construction sites, to com-
pletely shield the eyes because these op-
erations tend to create a great deal of
dust — Fig. 2. Choice of goggles or safety
Fig. 2 — Safety glasses that feature
a 360-deg foam liner completely
shield the eyes, which makes them
useful for operations that create a lot
of dust such as cutting and grinding.
glasses with a liner depends on industry
regulations, as well as the individual com-
pany’s jobsite safety standards.
Finally, don’t forget about style when
selecting a pair of safety glasses. Many
manufacturers now offer safety glasses
that are as fashionable as a pair of sun-
glasses, making it easy to be stylish and
safe.
Caring for Your Safety
Glasses
For the best eye protection — and
protection of your investment — keep
your safety glasses in good condition. Ex-
amine them regularly and purchase a new
pair of safety glasses when needed.
Follow the manufacturer’s mainte-
nance instructions and make sure to
clean and disinfect your glasses regularly,
especially if another worker has used
them. Never wear excessively scratched,
dirty, or otherwise damaged safety
glasses, as they may cause impaired vi-
sion and also provide a reduced level of
protection. Store glasses in a clean, dust-
fee container to protect them from dam-
age in-between uses.
Essentially, care for your safety
glasses in the same manner that you
would care for your own prescription
lenses or sunglasses. OSHA requires eye
protection be worn in most worksites. Be-
cause safety glasses are an inexpensive
piece of PPE, it is always better to re-
place them than to weld or fabricate with
a damaged pair.
Safety glasses are a simple way to pro-
tect the eyes, and they should be worn
under a welding helmet in every welding
and fabricating situation. While some
workers may initially dislike the feeling
of wearing safety glasses, donning a pair
will eventually become second nature,
just another integral part of proper PPE
practices.◆