The History Of Safety Shoes

During the 20^th century when laws on compensation were implemented, liability costs forced large companies to focus on introducing equipment that improved safety measures in the workplace. Larger scale manufacturing of steel-toe boots started in the 1930s and the boots of German officers were also reinforced with steel toecaps.

In the year 1970, the US Congress implemented the Occupational Safety and Health Act, introducing new workplace safety standards. The standards included the use of safety footwear in workplaces that risked injury to the foot. Since then, safety footwear has become a mandatory requirement in many industries. Safety boots have progressively developed to reflect ongoing trends in fashion, and these days manufacturers use all sorts of composite materials to reinforce protection and comfort other than steel.

One of the main safety footwear breakthroughs that formed the essential part of personal protective equipment in the workplace is the introduction of the steel toe. The steel toe encases the front part of the shoe and protects the feet from major foot injuries which greatly diminished the chances of foot injuries happening in the workplace. The steel toe also increases the durability of the shoe and protects the feet from falling objects or sharp objects puncturing the shoe.