Overlook Bootspoints out that according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers must wear protective footwear when working in places where a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects is present.
In differentiating between different boot types – steel toes, alloy toes, composite toes and nano composite toes, Thorogood points out each offers different protections.
Composite Toe Boot Features and Materials
Composite toe boots are typically made from a strong non-metal material including Kevlar, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, plastic, or fiberglass.
Some modern safety toes are manufactured using advanced nanotechnology, according to Thorogood. Nano composite toes are so named for the carbon ‘nanotubes’ of which they are made: tiny carbon structures arranged into a beehive pattern and wrapped into a cylinder 10 to 50 nanometers in diameter. For perspective: one nanometer is to a tennis ball what a tennis ball is to the Earth, Thorogood points out.
It is significant to consider that the materials used in composite toe boots by some manufacturers may be of lower quality, so it’s important to choose protective footwear that meets ASTM standards.
Thorogood points out that carbon nanotubes when combined with fiberglass resin create some of the strongest and lightest safety toes on the market that meet ASTM standards. Nanotechnology enables the toecap wall to be thinner, offering extra toe room in and a more comfortable fit.
Safety Compliance
ASTM-compliant safety footwear is marked with a code indicating the hazards for which the boot has been tested. ASTM F2412 is a standard test method for foot protection determining impact and compression resistance. Impact testing considers what happens when something heavy falls on the shoe. Compression testing looks at what happens when something heavy rolls onto the shoe.
ASTM F2413 is a standard specification for performance requirements for safety toe cap footwear, which specifies that the toe cap must be tested to resist impact and compression. Additionally, there are tests against punctures, electrical shock, and other hazards.
Overlook Boots points out since all protective-toe footwear must pass the same impact and compression test in ASTM-compliant safety-toe footwear, the toe cap will deliver a sufficient level of protection regardless of the material of which they are made. In explaining the difference between composite toe versus steel toe boots, Grainger notes that comfort is another consideration and is tied into the weight of the boot. While many factors come into play, Grainger recommends seeking out footwear using the latest advanced materials for its sole, upper and insulation.
Performance on Jobsites
Since composite toe caps need to be somewhat thicker than steel counterparts to offer a similar protection level, the shoe or boot may seem larger and more bulbous, affecting how the footwear feels, the brand points out. In considering whether composite toe boots are better in cold weather, Grainger makes the point that in theory they are in that plastic – which is used in composite toes – is a good thermal insulator that less readily transfers heat, according to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Physics.
Since composite toe boots don’t conduct heat, cold, and electricity, it makes them ideal for those who work around sources of electricity, fire, and extreme hot or cold weather conditions, notes Overlook Boots.
Many manufacturers offer composite toe boots that are insulated and waterproof, notes Grainger. Thorogood notes composite toe boots – especially nano toes – are lighter than traditional steel toe caps.
As long as the boots don’t have a steel shank, composite toe boots make passing through secure job sites and metal detectors easier. The downside of composite toe boots is that they are not typically as impact resistant as metal options, Thorogood points out.
Occupations that typically lean toward composite toe boots include electricians – especially given the boots are poor conductors of electricity – as well as engineers, plumbers, welders, architects, and project managers. These occupations require workers spend long days on their feet, but they are usually not working with very heavy machinery day in and day out.
FAQs
Because they have no metal, composite toe boots are great for work sites that use metal detectors. They also offer better resistance, making them a popular choice for electricians and engineers. Composite toe boots are lightweight, about 30 percent lighter than steel toe boots.
Can you wear composite toe boots on construction site? ›
Are Composite Toe Boots OSHA Approved? Composite toe boots meet OSHA and ASTM safety requirements. They are made of non-metallic fibers like Kevlar® and do not conduct electricity. Composite toe boots are preferred by engineers, electricians and some independent contractors.
What are the OSHA requirements for safety toe boots? ›
Your employer requires that the safety-toe footwear must be worn at all times regardless of the presence of a hazard; must have a leather upper; must have oil resistant and non-skid soles, and must comply with ASTM 2413-05 with a impact resistance rating of 75 and an compression resistance rating of 75.
Are carbon toe boots OSHA approved? ›
So, are carbon fiber toe boots OSHA approved? Yes, but not all of them. While most carbon fiber toe work boots are OSHA-approved, the lower-quality, cheaper ones aren't.
When should you not wear steel toed boots? ›
Steel conducts temperatures, which can make wearing in the winter uncomfortable. Steel-toe may not be safe for use around electricity or with electric wires.
What is the best footwear to use on a construction site? ›
Safety boots are most commonly made from leather, nylon, and rubber, while the soles are made from rubber, TPU, or EVA. If your work requires lightweight shoes, we'd recommend going for nylon. On the other hand, rubber work boots are a better option for working in slippery environments.
Do I have to wear safety boots at work? ›
A lot of problems are caused by inadequate footwear. Work in any environment where there is a risk of slipping requires slip-resistant shoes. Where there is the risk of a shoe being crushed or hit by an object, or even caught in machinery, safety footwear must be provided.
Where are safety boots required? ›
Safety shoes or boots with puncture protection should be required where a worker could step on sharp objects such as nails, wires, tacks, screws, large staples, scrap metal, etc. And special types of insulating shoes or conductive shoes may be necessary for certain types of electrical work.
What is the ANSI standard for safety boots? ›
ANSI's standard for safety footwear is the ASTM F2413 standard. This standard covers the minimum requirements for safety footwear, including impact and compression resistance, metatarsal protection, and electrical hazard protection.
What is the difference between carbon toe and composite toe boots? ›
Carbon fiber safety-toe shoes can withstand higher temperatures without melting or deforming. Composite-Toe Shoes: Composite-toe shoes generally offer good temperature resistance but may have temperature limitations compared to carbon fiber safety-toe shoes.
Is Composite Toe the Same as Steel Toe? Composite and steel toes are similar in that they are both components of protective safety footwear, but they are made out of different materials and differ in their level of comfort, protection, durability, insulation, electrical resistance, and price.
What is the difference between composite toe and steel toe OSHA? ›
Composite toe boots are the better choice for outdoor weather since they are less affected by ambient temperature than steel toe boots. While they are up to safety standards, composite toe boots do not withstand the same level of impact as a steel toe boot.
Do construction workers wear steel toe boots? ›
The most obvious workplace that calls for the protection of steel toes is one where workers are lifting and moving heavy items. Construction sites, warehouses and farms can all fall into this category.
What are the requirements for construction footwear? ›
But, What Are the OSHA Safety Shoe Requirements? Safety shoes or boots must have a leather upper, non-skid soles, built-in toe caps, oil resistance, and impact and compression resistance ratings of 75. Employers have a responsibility to conduct hazard assessments for the job site and determine the necessary PPE.
How much weight can a composite toe take? ›
Composite Toe Caps
They are made of non-metallic materials, such as carbon fibre, fiberglass, plastic, or Kevlar. They offer comparable protection against impact and compression as steel and aluminium toe caps. Composite toe caps can withstand up to 75 pounds of force dropped from a height of up to 18 inches.
Can you wear composite toe boots in a warehouse? ›
So, if you're wondering if people who work in warehouses shoes should wear safety shoes with toe caps, the answer is yes. Toe caps vary in material, with steel, aluminum, and composite being the most common.
What type of work boots are required for use on a construction project? ›
One of three CSA grades, Grade 1 offers the highest protection and is the only one allowed in construction. In a Grade 1 boot, a steel toe protects against falling objects, while a steel insole prevents punctures to the bottom of the foot. Grade 1 boots are also available with metatarsal and dielectric protection.
Can you wear composite toe boots in oil field? ›
Boots reinforced with hard toe caps are required for use on oil rigs due to the risk of heavy machinery or sharp metal objects striking the foot resulting in injury. The three most common types of work boot toe caps are steel, composite and aluminum. All three are OSHA-approved and protect against impact.
Are composite toe boots as safe as steel toe? ›
Steel toe boots offer more protection than composite toe boots since they can withstand higher impact. They are less expensive than composite toe boots. However, steel toe boots are heavier and do not breathe as well as composite toe boots. This makes them less comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
