safety footwear Archives - Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Co

July 22, 2019September 23, 2019

Sole Education Week 2 : Shattering Stigmas

At this point, it is safe to say that we are all becoming increasingly aware of the skilled trades shortage that is coming our way. Decades of misrepresentation in pop culture and in high schools, coupled with shop classes being cut from public schools have led us to the skilled labor shortage.

There’s a lot of opportunity for growth and job security within the trades; however, they can carry a variety of stigmas. It’s dirty work. There’s no money to be made. It doesn’t require an education. It’s a male-dominated field. You name it, we’ve all heard it.

This week, we asked Mikayla to talk about stigmas that she and other students face within her field, and what she is doing to combat them. Every field has them, so let’s learn about what Mikayla has noticed over the course of her education thus far.

As a female in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Mikayla chose to speak to her experiences as a woman entering the trades. Read on to learn about her experience and what she is doing to shatter the stigma:

Stigma:

“As a woman entering the male-dominated field of engineering, I knew I would have to face many stigmas throughout my degree and my career. When I walked into my first engineering class, I noticed I was the only female.

Despite this, I made sure that the men around me treated me no different.
Somehow, I felt a sense of confidence against the stigma of being a woman in engineering; I felt that I had to prove myself more than my male peers. This pushed me to study hard, excel as a leader in group projects, and be more outgoing.

Solution:

Due to my determination and perseverance, I graduated with my Associates in Engineering Technology at the top of my class. My achievements in school lead to me being offered a mechanical engineering internship at Volvo Trucks North America.

When people see me, they do not believe me when I say I want to be an engineer. This makes me think about the phrase, “shattering the glass ceiling” and wonder if there is any validity to it today.

Personally, I believe that the glass ceiling has not been even cracked. With my degree and career, I hope to help drive the wrecking ball into that glass ceiling for good.

Follow along with our students’ progress here.
Learn more about the Generation T movement here.

APPLY FOR THE SOLE EDUCATION GRANT TODAY

July 9, 2019September 23, 2019

Sole Education Week 1: Introduction

We are thrilled to launch our first-ever Sole Education program! Over the next few months, we will be learning more about our student’s skilled trades program through their experiences and blog entries.

The Sole Education Grant is an industry-based education grant sponsored by Saf-Gard Safety Shoe Company. It is for students who are just starting out in the trades.

Over the next several weeks, we will be working with Mikayla, a rising Mechanical Engineering Technology student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

She will be covering topics related to her industry and hopefully inspire others to learn more about opportunities in the skilled trades as well.

Let’s learn more about her:

“Hey everyone, my name is Mikayla. I grew up in a small town outside of New Haven, CT but moved to Greensboro, NC, with my family in the summer of 2014.

I recently received my Associates in Engineering Technology from GTCC, and I will be continuing my education this fall at UNC Charlotte where I plan to earn a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. With my degree, I plan on making a career for myself in Plastics Technology as a Project Engineer.

While at GTCC, I’ve fallen in love with the world of technology and engineering design. I’ve excelled in courses involving math and science and was praised for my leadership skills during group STEM (short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities.

Outside of school, I am a Mechanical Engineering Intern for Volvo Trucks North America. I consider myself hardworking, disciplined, and creative when it comes to my education and future career.”

We can’t wait to learn more about Mechanical Engineering this summer with Mikayla, and see what the summer holds!

Follow along with our students’ progress here.
Learn more about the Generation T movement here.

APPLY FOR THE SOLE EDUCATION GRANT TODAY

August 30, 2018September 23, 2019

How to Prevent Buying Painful Safety Shoes

You know that feeling you get when you commit to something, and you know from the start that you shouldn’t? Like lease agreements in not-so-great apartments, expensive gym memberships, and last but certainly not least, improper fitting safety toe shoes that cause painful rubbing sensations on your toes?

Each one of those scenarios is painful for different reasons, and we’ve all been there. While we can’t help you with all of the issues above, we can certainly give you some guidance on how to find the perfect fit when it comes to safety toe footwear… one out of three bad scenarios isn’t the best, but darn it, it’s something!

Let’s jump in…

Remember, safety toe comfort comes in length, not width

You have to get a shoe long enough to accommodate the back and forth toe movement in the shoes. The proper fit happens when the widest point of your foot (the ball) is located exactly in the widest part of the shoe. When that happens, the arch of your foot fits precisely with the arch of the shoe, giving you maximum support.

So what’s happening?

Your arch has probably dropped over the years, extending the toes of the shoes forward. This back and forth motion of your toes is why you need to fit your shoes (not just safety shoes) using your arch measurement.

Are you measuring up?

The arch measurement can be obtained with a Brannock Foot Measuring Device, you can find this in most reputable shoe stores. For more information on how to measure your feet, check out our blog here.

Suggestion: Try to get your foot measured in a shoe store before you buy your next pair of safety shoes to see if your arch has dropped a little, extending the toes further into your shoes to the point where they are rubbing the safety toe.

Reason: As we age and potentially get weaker and heavier your arch drops. When the arch drops, it causes our feet to get longer. It happens to everyone! We know, in your younger days your shoe size might have been 9.5; and now you wear an 11 at 50 years of age. Over that time, you’ve probably also gone from a 32-inch waist to a 36, and packed on a few extra pounds. Time is, after all, a cruel master.

Now, your foot really hasn’t grown in this timespan, it’s just changed shape (the same thing happened to our waistlines… right?). The arch drops and the toes and arch extend further in the shoe. All this means is that you need a longer shoe.

If you are finding that you still don’t seem to have enough distance widthwise, you can look into getting a wider safety toe shoe.

One final tip: Bigger brands typically have their shoes made by different manufacturers. Different styles within the same brand may fit differently because of this fact. Again, the most reliable solution is to try the shoes on and test the location of the “ball” of your foot in the shoe to make sure you are getting the right fit.

Try out some of these tips, and you should be able to find the perfect fit!

Still a little confused? Our retail store associates and Mobile Shoe Managers are all trained and ready to help you find the best safety toe shoes for your needs! Click here to find a location near you!

August 2, 2018September 23, 2019

Staying Safe in an Electric Environment

It’s getting electric in here.

Actually though, electricity is everywhere. It’s in our homes, at work, in the sky, underground; and it’s not very fun when it shocks us. Many people working in the trade industry work with electricity on a daily basis, and it’s important to know how to be safe around it. Electrical hazards can cause shocks, burns, and even workplace fires if the hazard is too large.

So let’s simmer things down in here and learn how to be safe in a “lit” environment.

How does electricity actually work?

We know that science might not be your forte, but bare with us for a second…

Electricity flows through conductors, and these are surfaces that offer very little resistance to the flow of electricity (such as metals). Insulators stop the flow of electricity, and these can be surfaces like glass, plastic, clay, dry wood, etc. However, water can turn these insulators into conductors very quickly. You know the dry wood that you’re using to cover up some wires? Well, it just rained and now it’s a giant lightning rod. Zap.

The shocking facts

Electricity travels in closed circuits, typically through conductors. However, when you decide to come into contact with one of these conductors, then congratulations! Your own body is now a conductor, and you’re being shocked.

What happens when this electricity jolts through your body? If it’s a small amount of electricity, you’ll only feel a slight, albeit annoying, shock. If the amount increases, your muscles will contract and your body will “freeze” due to the shock. If the electricity levels rise above this, you’re flirting with heart failure and death. So let’s not try that.

Staying safe

According to OSHA, most electrical accidents result from either unsafe equipment, an unsafe work environment, or unsafe work practices. The best ways to prevent electrical injuries is through the use of insulation, guarding, grounding, circuit protection devices, and safe work practices.

Insulators, like we mentioned earlier, are materials used to coat metals and other conductors to stop them from, well, conducting. Insulation on conductors is often color coded as well.

Guarding involves enclosing or hiding electric equipment to ensure that people don’t accidentally come into contact with it. If you’re using electric equipment with exposed parts that could be dangerous, hide this equipment away in a separate room or vault and place adequate warning signs around it. Only qualified professionals should have access to this hidden area.

Grounding means intentionally creating a low-resistance path that connects the tool or electrical system to the earth. This prevents a buildup of voltages, but doesn’t completely remove the risk of electric shock. Grounding should be combined with other methods that we’ve mentioned.

Circuit protection devices limit or stop the flow of an electric current automatically in a necessary situation like a short circuit or overload of a system. Examples of these devices are fuses and circuit breakers. Essentially, these are your best friends in a highly electric environment.

While all of the methods that we’ve mentioned will help with electrical hazards, the best way to prevent electrical accidents is through safe work practices. De-energize all electric equipment before inspections or repairs, keep all electric tools properly maintained, exercise caution when working near electric lines, and always wear appropriate protective equipment.

Looking for some safety shoes that reduce the risk of electric hazards? Feel free to check us out at https://www.safgard.com/mens-shoes/features/electrical-hazard

July 5, 2018July 11, 2018

Exercises for Preventing Foot Injuries

Unfortunately, people don’t always wear safety shoes when they should. Obviously, we don’t recommend doing that. You could hurt yourself and cost your company a lot of money. And unless you really hate your job, who wants that to happen?

However, sometimes accidents just happen. But there are some foot exercises that you can do on a regular basis to prevent these injuries.

Heel and Toe Walks

Heels and toes aren’t getting along right now, so let’s take each of them on separate walks for this exercise. Basically, spend a minute or so walking around on your heels, and then spend another minute or two walking on just your toes. This can improve strength in different areas of your feet and improve mobility, by isolating various parts of your foot.

Toe Lifts

Do you even toe lift, bro?

Yes, your toes can lift too. However, you’ll only be lifting a marble instead of a giant dumbbell (don’t try lifting a dumbbell with your toes, please. You won’t look cool). Use your toes to pick up a marble and lift it up. Hold the marble in the air for 20 seconds, repeat twice, and then switch feet and do the same thing. If you’re finding that that’s too easy, try using just one toe at a time.

Foot Taps

Here’s an exercise that you can do while sitting (the best kind of exercise). Simply sit with your feet on the floor and tap them 50 times with your heel remaining on the ground. You can even play airport background noises and pretend that you’re waiting for a flight that’s been delayed twice already.

Toe Spelling

Let’s take your feet to school. For this exercise, you will need to elevate one foot, and then write the alphabet in the air with your toes. This flexes your ankle and uses a lot of muscles in your feet. After you’ve finished with one foot, do the same thing with the other one. You can even sing along out loud (best recommended if you live alone).

Toe Spread

While seated (woo!), place a thick rubber band around your toes. You can use two bands if one isn’t tight enough to provide resistance. Spread your toes apart and hold this position for five seconds. Do this 10 times on both feet.

All of these exercises are designed to work the small muscles in your toes and feet to strengthen them and improve your overall balance. All of these exercises help to roll your feet through their full range of motion, making them better prepared for any possible accidents at work. With stronger toes and feet and a better overall balance, you’ll be less prone to foot injuries.

Want more information on how to protect your feet, or the products we offer? Check us out at www.safgard.com

June 21, 2018June 20, 2018

Do’s and Don’ts of Launching a Successful Shoe Program

If you’re thinking about starting a corporate shoe program with Saf-Gard, you probably have a couple of questions. Luckily for you, we have the answers here. Corporate shoe programs allow your employees to pick the style and brand that best fits your workplace and their individual needs. The payroll deduction plans keep your employees safe while saving your company money and time at work lost due to injuries. Without further ado, let’s get into the do’s and don’ts of having your own corporate shoe program.

DO:

Get rid of those ugly shoes. When people think of a safety shoe, they often think that it has to be ugly to be functional. In reality, we offer many styles and brands that your employees already know and love, so you can create a culture of safety and style.
Offer a Payroll Deduction Program in order to give employees more options on how to pay for their shoes.
Let people know about the shoe program! You alone are not an entire corporation, so advertise your shoe program through internal newsletters, breakroom posters, or the occasional email blast.
Let new employees know about the corporate shoe program right away, and get them registered for it and your Payroll Deduction Program.
Keep the ordering process simple. Employees can order online for themselves or submit their orders through your management team to us. That process is entirely up to you and how you want your shoe program to operate.
Sometimes, the shoe just doesn’t fit. Make it easy for your employee to return shoes if they aren’t satisfied. No one wants grumpy employees because their feet hurt.
Make it clear to employees which types of shoes are required for their specific job duties. It’s important to know about the potential hazards that each employee might face, so that they can have the safest shoes possible for their job.

DON’T:

Force your employees to wear ugly shoes. We can’t stress this enough: safety shoes do not have to sacrifice style for safety! We have plenty of brands and styles that your employees have likely interacted with in the past, so there are plenty of shoes to choose from.
Trust that your employees will buy safety shoes just because you told them to. Therefore, you should offer rewards and discounts for those employees who do participate in the shoe program (ask your Saf-Gard account manager for details).
Throw away money on workers compensation claims and work days lost due to injuries and accidents that could have been avoided had your employees been wearing the appropriate safety attire.
Start a corporate shoe program and keep it a secret. If no one else in your company knows about it, your program is not going to succeed. Selling anything without telling people about the product is not exactly the ideal way to conduct business of any kind.
Make it difficult for employees to return shoes that don’t fit, aren’t comfortable or aren’t the style the were hoping for. We don’t need anyone hating your shoe program.
Not start a shoe program! Corporate shoe programs with Payroll Deduction Plans are a great way to save your company money while giving your employees the styles that they like and lowering the amount of accidents affecting your employees.

Have any further questions or want to get started with your own program? Feel free to call us at 1-800-221-8843 or visit https://www.safgard.com/corporate-shoe-programs/start-a-program

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018

How to Keep Your Feet Cool This Summer

Ah…summer. The days when the sun seems to stay up forever. It’s time for cookouts with friends and family, summer vacation for the kids out of school, some time spent on the beach or lake, long days by the pool, and (unfortunately) hot weather and sweaty feet while at work.

The secret to keeping cool during the summer months has been sought out ever since the beginning of time, so we want to help you out by giving a few tips for keeping your feet cool this summer.

Your feet need to breathe, too

If you know that you’ll be working in the heat regularly, you’ll want to have shoes that can breathe. Some shoes have a breathable mesh lining that allows air to flow in and out of the shoes, keeping your feet cooler. You’ll want to avoid insulated shoes in this case, since those types of shoes are designed to trap the warmth within them. Trapping warmth inside your shoes on a hot day is going to make you hate the world, so don’t do that.

Also, when you get breaks, go sit down and untie your shoes for a second to give your feet some extra air. Just make sure you’re separated from your coworkers so they don’t have to smell your sweaty feet!

Switch up your shoes regularly

If you’ve been sweating in your work shoes all day, they’re not likely to be completely dry by the next morning. In fact, it can take up to 24 hours for your shoes to completely dry out from the day before. Therefore, you’ll be putting on damp shoes the next morning, which will only add to the heat and moisture that your feet produce throughout the day.

So even if you have that favorite pair of work shoes or boots, it might be best to set them aside for a day and alternate the shoes that you wear each day. This gives your shoes a chance to fully dry and will keep your feet cool and dry the next day.

Don’t forget about the socks

Your socks are the ones actually touching your feet, so they get to deal with the full blast of sweat and odor (socks really don’t get enough appreciation, do they?) If you find your socks getting soaked by the end of each day, bring another pair! Changing your socks during your lunch break in the middle of the day is a great way to keep your feet cool and dry during the afternoon. Again, remember to do this away from your coworkers. We want them to actually still like you.

Deodorant on your feet…?

That’s right. Underarm antiperspirant and deodorant can be used in more places than just under your arms! If you use it on your feet, it can prevent them from sweating as much throughout the day and keep them smelling fresh and clean. All you’ll need to do is lightly apply it to the soles of your feet and a little bit on the top of your feet if needed. Be careful not to apply too much, though! You’ll end up with white streaks on your socks and feet, and that look is not in style.

Lastly (and obviously), keep your shoes and feet clean

It may be common sense, but proper hygiene is a must to keep your feet from getting too sweaty and hot. If you’re washing your feet regularly and using deodorant like we mentioned above, your feet will stay much cooler and drier than someone who doesn’t. You’ll also smell much better!

For your actual shoes, plain rubbing alcohol is a safe cleaner for the insides of your shoes. This kills bacteria and can decrease your risk of foot odor or fungal infections from all of that moisture that gets trapped in your shoes during hot months.

Summer is a fun time, but the hot temperatures and sweaty feet get in the way of that while at work. Use these tips this summer to keep your feet cool, dry, smelling great (well, as great as summer work feet can possibly smell). If you’re interested in getting a new pair of shoes with some breathability for the summer, feel free to browse through some of ours.

May 30, 2018October 6, 2020

Preparing for an OSHA Safety Inspection

OSHA inspections can arise at any time, and it’s crucial that you’re prepared for it in order to avoid any negative consequences to your company.

First, let’s take a look at what can prompt an OSHA inspection:

Workplace catastrophes and fatalities
Employee complaints
Referrals (can come from any corporation, including other government agencies)
Programmed inspections
- Could be based on emphasis programs, injury rates, or previous citations
Random inspections
Follow-up inspections

Since most inspections aren’t announced beforehand, it’s important to have a plan in place before an OSHA inspector comes knocking.

Identify your Safety Manager and Back-up

First, an employee should be identified as a safety manager who walks the OSHA representative around while they are conducting their inspection. A “Plan B” person should also be assigned in case the safety manager is out on the day of the inspection. Always ask to see the representative’s identification to ensure that they are not an imposter before conducting the inspection.

Get your Information Straight

Before the inspection begins, you will be informed about the reasoning behind the inspection. The inspector will also ask for basic information about the facility, including the type of work performed, number of employees, names of those in charge, and contact information.

Duration and Preparation

The length of the inspection will vary depending on the focus and size of the facility. It could take anywhere from a day to multiple weeks. The inspector will likely ask for documents relevant to the inspection (e.g. injury and illness logs), and it is important to have these documents accurate and readily available at all times.

Safety Guidelines for Footwear

When it comes to protective footwear, general requirements state that “the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee’s feet are exposed to electrical hazards.”

Saf-Gard is committed to providing your company with up-to-date safety shoes, ensuring that your employees are in compliance with all OSHA regulations. To learn more about OSHA regulations, just visit https://www.safgard.com/education/osha

May 10, 2018May 16, 2018

Safety Tips for Any Industry

Warehouses, foundries, construction sites and factories can be some of the most dangerous places to work when it comes to accidents and injury. Think about it… large and moving machinery such as forklifts, carrying heavy loads such as pallets and heavy equipment can be hazardous for you and your workers, and we all know accidents can happen regardless of how careful we try to be.

Check out these safety tips and learn how to make your own work environments safer and more productive:

Want to download this infographic for your team? Click here for your free PDF download!

May 2, 2018November 12, 2018

What to Look for in Construction Boots

So, you want to know what boots are going to save you on your next construction job site.

You’ve come to the right place.

Let’s start with the basics, the first thing you need to make sure of is that your new boots meet the following criteria. Ask yourself, are your boots:

Are they relatively easy to put on?
Are they comfortable to wear for extended periods of time?
Will they keep you safe from whatever hazards await you at your workplace?

At Saf-Gard^TM, we also feel that it is important to note that it’s important to remember that as a tradesman, your feet are just as valuable as your hands. Therefore, your work boots need to be viewed as a personal safety investment, not an expense.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s jump in and hash out what you should be looking for in your next pair of construction work boots.

Safety Toes

We know, this one sounds like a no-brainer. But it can make the difference between getting home safe and having an impromptu trip to the ER… we’re pretty sure no one wants that. The main duty of a safety toe is to protect your foot from heavy objects that can fall on it while on a job such as metal poles, beams, and heavy tools.

Within the category of safety toe shoes, they are typically made out of steel, aluminum, or composite materials. You will more than likely be told what type of safety toe you need to have by your company or supervisor. If you haven’t been told, make sure to ask before you go shoppin

Durability

Let’s face it, this profession isn’t exactly forgiving when it comes to clothes and gear. In order to get the most bang for your buck, it’s important to do your research and find a pair of safety shoes that not only meets your employer’s standards but is durable and affordable as well. When you buy a cheap pair of work shoes, not only are you potentially hurting your feet due to cheap quality and lack of proper support but your wallet as well.

In the long run, it is more cost effective to invest in a decent pair of boots, as opposed to replacing cheap ones every few months.

When it comes to personal protection on the job site, you can never be too careful. Make sure you choose a pair of work boots that meet the necessary criteria for your career in the construction industry, in addition to staying alert and aware of your surroundings.

To learn more about the products we offer, check us out at www.safgard.com