Models for hospital, care, building cleaning and co.
Whether a chef, doctor, hairdresser, or bus driver – everyone should wear professional foot protection at work in order to be able to carry out their job safely. However, not all foot protection is the same. For example, some workplaces require a protective toe cap in the shoe, such as in construction, where heavy objects can fall on the foot. In other professions there are no mechanical risks from impact and pressure, so toe protection is not necessary. This is typically the case in medical practices, hospitals, research institutes and laboratories. Shoes without toe caps are also worn in kitchens and restaurants. In this blog post, you can find out in which industries shoes without a toe cap, so-called occupational footwear, are used and how they differ from safety shoes.
Safety footwear vs. occupational footwear
Different workplaces have different requirements. This also applies to the measures that must be taken to protect you as an employee in your daily work. Foot protection plays an important role here. Which safety or occupational shoe is ultimately worn in which job depends on the type of risk you are exposed to at work. Depending on the area of application, a protective toe cap may be mandatory or not even required at all. Your company safety officer will decide which protection class is necessary for your company – if in doubt, ask your boss.
However, the biggest difference between safety and occupational footwear is clearly the toe cap. For example, protective toe caps are part of the basic design of safety shoes. It must withstand impact energy of 200 joules. This corresponds to a weight of 20 kilograms falling onto the foot from a height of one meter. Occupational footwear (OB), on the other hand, do not have to meet any requirements for toe protection- because they are used where there is no danger of heavy objects falling or tipping over.
Safety features of occupational footwear
Like safety footwear, occupational footwear can have important safety features, including a slip-resistant outsole or a puncture-resistant midsole. The abbreviation OB is used to designate occupational footwear that meets the minimum requirement. According to the basic requirement, occupational footwear must pass the test for slip resistance on ceramic tiles with soap solution. However, if occupational footwear bears the SR certification, it means it has passed the additional test for slip resistance on ceramic tiles with glycerine.
In addition, there are further additional requirements for occupational footwear, some of which occur very frequently in combination. Therefore, different categories have been developed in which these requirements are summarised. Apart from the protective toe cap, occupational footwear categories are analogous to the protection classes of occupational footwear. However, safety shoes still have the S1P protection class, while occupational footwear does not have the O1P category. You can read more about this in the EN ISO 20347 standard for occupational footwear. And we’re going to take a closer look in this blog post at what industries occupational footwear can be used in.
Models for building cleaning
Are you in the cleaning business? Then you’ll know about the dangers of slippery surfaces. Many surfaces are wet from cleaning water and are therefore slippery. There is a risk of slipping and injuring yourself. Whether you’re cleaning office windows, mopping floors, or sweeping outdoor leaves; the stresses and hazards you’ll face are as varied as your cleaning tasks. Since you are cleaning different surfaces such as stone tiles, linoleum or PVC, you need shoes that have an anti-slip outsole. Comfort also plays a decisive role. Hard floors do not have shock-absorbing properties and so the continuous load on the feet is high.
That’s why we use a sole core made of BASF’s innovative Infinergy® cushioning material in some of our professional shoe models. The plastic is as elastic as rubber, but as light as a feather. This means that you use less energy when walking and your feet tire more slowly – a noticeable relief on long working days. You will find the WELLMAXX cushioning concept in our professional shoe model MADDOX black-red Low ESD O2, which is suitable for use in building cleaning. For the female cleaners among you, the MADDIE grey Low ESD O1 offers unique comfort – made with a women’s last that is precisely adapted to the female foot anatomy.
Models for service staff in the catering trade
You may not be a building cleaner, but as service staff in the catering industry do you find yourself on your feet for several hours at a time? Then you’ll want to move across restaurant floors as though you were walking barefoot. Our APACHE white Low O1 makes it possible! With the APACHE, which is also available in black or black and white, you can experience a completely new walking sensation. The reason for this is the super-light XL Extralight® outsole, which provides slip resistance and flexibility.
And with the MAIDU black LOW O1 you’ll also have a reliable grip as service staff in the catering trade. Thanks to the flexible outsole, you can enjoy a real barefoot feeling. The special highlight: The elastic lacing system, through which you can quickly tuck your laces under a tab. That way you won’t trip over your own shoelaces anymore.
Models for practices, hospitals and nursing homes
If you work in a medical practice, hospital, or nursing home, you also put a lot of strain on your tendons and joints from your physical hard work. Lightweight footwear is, therefore, all the more important on hard hospital or surgery floors. In these areas, but also in laboratories or other research facilities, we, therefore, recommend the professional clog MICHEL white ESD OB from the ELTEN CLOG series, which can be quickly put on and taken off again. The heel strap and hook and loop fastener ensure optimum fit around the foot, allowing the clog to be adjusted in seconds. The breathable textile lining of the clog provides extra comfort as moisture is absorbed and wicked away. This will keep you fresher if you are on your feet a lot.
And you know what? The MICHEL is also available in black – or as a ladies’ model under the name MIA white ESD OB. For those who like to wear the heel area completely open, the LEVY white ESD OB is the suitable alternative – or analogously the LINA white ESD OB as a ladies’ model. Our APACHE models barefoot feeling can also be worn in nursing facilities.
Models for bus, rail and other industries
Finally, we would like to turn our attention to those of you who are on your feet a lot but would like to wear elegant footwear, for example as a bus driver or train conductor. How about our MADDOX version made of nubuck leather, for example? Like its “brother” from the MADDOX family, the MADDOX black leather LOW ESD O2 has WELLMAXX cushioning.
In principle, occupational footwear can be worn in all industries where there is no danger from falling objects. Examples include supermarkets, hairdressing or beauty salons, spa areas, swimming pools, but also civilian administrative areas in the police, fire brigade or armed forces. Also, if you are looking for casual leisure sneakers, you’re in the right place with our occupational footwear!
