By Jayden Mark
In the United States, some of the most common types of workplace injuries are slips, trips and falls (STF). This type of injury is dangerous and painful for the hapless individual who slips, trips or falls, and it is costly for both workers and employers. If you slip, trip or fall at work, you may find yourself laid up and unable to earn for quite a while. If you don’t have sick leave and/or if you don’t have health insurance, this can be devastating. Even in the best case scenario in which your job is secure and you have what you need to recover, your absence from work will cause extra expense for your employer.
What can be done? Luckily wearing high quality, slip-resistant and non-slip shoes has been shown to be an effective way to tremendously reduce instances of workplace STF incidents. In this article, I will explore the science behind slip-resistant shoes, delve into the various materials and tread patterns used in their outsoles, discuss other factors affecting traction properties, and provide valuable tips on how to identify non-slip footwear.
What Is Slip Resistance?
Slip-resistant work shoes are unlike everyday street shoes or even good quality athletic shoes. Footwear designed for slip-resistance have rubber soles and specific tread patterns that are especially made to grip wet or greasy floors. They are engineered to minimize the risk of accidents on slippery surfaces. The key to their effectiveness is found in the outsole (the bottom part of the shoe) that makes contact with the floor or ground. Some slip-resistant shoes are more effective than others.
In the United Kingdom (UK), you can judge the quality of slip-resistant shoes by their star ratings. For example, 1-2 star rated footwear provides light protection against STF incidents and are suitable for mildly challenging indoor settings. In slightly more hazardous settings, employers in the UK are advised to provide 3-4 star footwear, which have been proven to reduce STF incidents. 5-star shoes are highly rated slip-resistant shoes which typically provide the very best grip and other specific features that can really bring STF incidents under control.
Common Outsole Materials for Non-Slip Work Shoes
Non-slip shoes are made using specific materials, various tread patterns, and a wide variety of manufacturing techniques that improve traction, grip and safety. Look for these qualities when shopping for dependable non-slip shoes.
Look For These 6 High Quality Outsole Materials
1. Polyurethane (PU)
This durable and lightweight material offers excellent slip resistance due to its high coefficient of friction. PU outsoles deliver chemical resistance, oil resistance and abrasion resistance, but they are not acid-resistant. These qualities make them ideal for many sorts of indoor workplaces.
2. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
EVA outsoles are lightweight and cushioned, so they deliver superior comfort along with safety during long work shifts. EVA is often used as an inner layer to provide cushioning and arch and arch support. EVA outsoles are not quite as slip resistant as other materials but can still provide good, reliable traction, and the material is resistant to chemicals, hydrocarbons and acids.
3. Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR)
TPR outsoles are known for their flexibility and slip-resistant properties. They provide reliable traction on slippery surfaces along with enhanced durability and fuel, oil and chemical resistance. This is a heavy duty material that is suitable for outdoor work and extremes of temperature.
4. Vibram
Vibram is a brand name. The vulcanized rubber material comes from an Italian company, which produces this material specifically for shoe soles. Unlike other materials on this list, which have many applications outside of shoes, Vibram is designed entirely for strong, non-slip shoes and boots. This brand is known for their durability and reliable traction.
5. Carbon Rubber
Employing a combination of rubber and carbon compounds, carbon rubber outsoles provide excellent slip resistance, durability, and chemical resistance. They are commonly found in heavy-duty work boots.
6. Neoprene
It may be a little difficult to find neoprene soles in work shoes. Neoprene outsoles are usually used in work boots because they provide excellent resistance to chemicals, oils, and abrasions. Neoprene outsoles provide very reliable slip resistance along with remarkable durability.
7. PU/PU
This is double-density polyurethane. This super-powered outsole material delivers everything regular PU brings, plus heat and cold resistance and even better grip and shock absorbency. PU/PU outsoles are suitable for indoor and outdoor job settings.
Choose The Right Tread Pattern For The Challenges You Face At Work
The tread pattern on the outsole plays a vital role in determining the shoes’ slip-resistant capabilities. Different patterns are designed to work well in specific work environments. Look for these six commonly used tread patterns:
Tread Patterns of Non-Slip Work Shoes
Tread patterns are another important feature of non-slip shoes. You wouldn’t want to drive a car with bald tires, because it wouldn’t grip the road well. For the same reason, you want shoes with good treads so you have a good grip on the floor as you stand, walk, or run as your job may require. Let’s examine some of the common tread patterns you may see in non-slip shoes.
Hexagonal
Hexagonal patterns help you experience multi-directional traction. This makes them a good choice for a wide variety of work conditions or for work settings that present various footing challenges. Outsoles with hexagonal tread will help improve your footing and provide stability and grip in both wet and dry settings and many different types of underfoot surfaces.
Circular
A circular pattern is especially effective at shedding water, making them highly slip-resistant in wet environments. Circular tread patterns work well on wet and/or oily surfaces, so this type of tread pattern is excellent for kitchen and restaurant workers.
Chevron
Chevron patterns are usually found on work boots that are designed for outdoor or rugged environments. Slip- resistant outsoles with a Chevron pattern have V-shaped lugs that provide great traction and stability on slippery surfaces.
Siped
Siping is the process of cutting thin grooves into the outsole. Doing this improves flexibility and increases grip on wet or icy surfaces.
Waffle
Waffle tread patterns are just what you would think. This pattern is made up of small square or rectangular lugs which provide reliable traction on slippery surfaces. This is a good choice for an indoor work environment where spills are common, such as a restaurant or care facility.
Diamond
Diamond tread patterns are made up of interlocking diamond-shaped lugs that offer excellent slip resistance and stability on a wide variety of surfaces and many different circumstances. They are suitable for a wide range of work environments.
Whichever tread pattern the shoes you choose have, it is important to make sure that the grooves extend all the way to the edge of the shoe. If the tread ends with a ridged edge around the sole, it’s possible that water, ice, or other debris may become trapped in the treads, which negates their slip resistance. If you ran water over the bottom of the shoe, it should always have a path to run out of the treads again.
Many shoes feature a mix of tread patterns to increase the coefficient of friction. For example, Timberland boots feature diamond lugs and siping. Vibram soles often feature a mixture of waffle and siped patterns.
Many times there is also a gap in treads between the heel and the front part of the shoe. This gap can help with arch support as well as with slip resistance. Consider the demands and potential hazards of your workplace when deciding on a shoe, and an outsole tread pattern, that is right for you.
Other Factors that Affect Traction Properties
Aside from outsole materials and tread patterns, other factors can influence the slip-resistant properties of work shoes and boots. When looking at possible choices in non-slip footwear, keep these three important qualities in mind.
1. Outsole Style: Different types of work footwear may have different outsole styles. For example, you may encounter:
Flat sole: The entire surface of the sole of the shoe contacts the ground or floor as you walk. A flat sole does not have any lift in the heel. This type of outsole style is reminiscent of a moccasin style shoe or a simple tennis shoe. It is most suitable in an indoor environment where you will not need to deal with uneven footing.
Wedge soles: They also make complete contact with the ground or floor as you walk, but these soles are typically a bit thicker than flat soles and do have a little lift in the heel along with greater cushioning and support. A wedge sole may provide more cushioning for your whole foot, and can be good for shock absorption. Wedge soled shoes are suitable for indoor and outdoor work.
Heel-supported: These soles have a stacked heel, so the heel and the forefoot sole of the shoe contact the ground or floor as you walk. This type of outsole may provide more solid arch support, and can be a bit safer in some environments. For example, if you need to walk on shifting surfaces (rock or shale on hillsides), or if you work with horses and don’t want to risk having your foot slip through the stirrup, a stacked heel is the right choice.
It’s easy to see that each style has its advantages in specific work environments. Choose the one that is the most comfortable to you and best suits your needs.
2. Surface area is an important aspect of outsole style. The total surface area of the outsole that comes into contact with the floor affects traction. Larger contact areas generally provide better grip and stability.
3. Special Coatings: Some manufacturers apply specialized coatings to the outsoles to further enhance slip resistance. These coatings may provide additional grip or chemical resistance, depending on the work environment. Examples include:
It’s worth noting that there are a number of over-the-counter sprays and substances that you can apply to the soles of your shoes yourself in order to improve traction. This can be a hit-and-miss proposition in terms of genuine safety; however, one potential exception is origami-inspired Kirigami coatings which have been the subject of a slip-testing study at MIT! Sadly, this option does not appear to be available to the general public just yet.
5 Important Tips For Identifying Non-Slip Shoes
So, when you’re shopping around, how can you identify a non-slip shoe from a regular one?
What is ASTM?
The ASTM is an administrative organization which puts shoes through rigorous slip-testing in order to determine their coefficient of friction. These standards specify whether a shoe has chemical resistance, oil resistance, abrasion resistance, and ice and weather resistance in order to give the shoe a slip-resistant rating. If the shoe has a slip resistant ASTM standard, that’s a very good sign.
Top Quality Slip-Resistant Shoes Prevent Accidents & Save Money
When you begin looking for just the right non-slip footwear to suit your needs, you may feel put off by the price tag. It’s important to understand that non-slip work boots and shoes are an important investment in safety. High quality non-slip footwear can help you avoid being seriously injured or even killed on the job. That's why it's crucial to invest in non-slip shoes or boots specifically designed to provide reliable traction on slippery surfaces.
The importance and effectiveness of wearing top-quality slip-resistant shoes, especially in challenging settings, cannot be stressed strongly enough. According to the results of a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), groups of food services workers who purchased lower rated (more affordable) slip resistant shoes experienced no change in the number of STF incidents in the workplace. On the other hand, those whose employers provided them with top-notch, highly rated slip-resistant shoes experienced a 67% reduction in STF incidents and injuries.
These results make it clear that there is a big difference between the effectiveness of costly, highly rated non-slip footwear and more affordable lower rated non-slip footwear. This is why some employers (e.g. The University of California) have instituted Slip-Resistant Footwear programs to help ensure employee safety while saving themselves money and lost productivity. Still other employers may offer a payroll deduction plan to help you budget for the best work shoes.
No doubt about it, investing in non-slip work shoes or boots is essential for ensuring safety in the workplace. By understanding the science behind slip resistance, familiarizing yourself with various outsole materials and tread patterns, and considering any other factors that may affect traction, you can make an informed choice when selecting your footwear. Remember to check for markings and certifications to identify non-slip shoes accurately. By prioritizing slip resistance, you can minimize the risk of accidents and enhance both comfort and productivity in your work environment.
Resource:
Slip-Resistant Shoes Reduce Food Services Worker Slip Injuries
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/pdfs/Kitchen-Fnl_508.pdf
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