Safety Footwear

Occupational Safety Footwear The discovery of footwear dates back to around 8000 B.C., with widespread use beginning around 3000 B.C. Footwear is one of the tools that has a significant impact on human life and quality of living. Shoes play a crucial role in enabling us to stand in balance, walk, and run by allowing us to place our feet firmly on the ground. Walking on stony paths, thorny fields, and hot sand without shoes would be hardly possible. In addition to the comfort they provide, shoes also offer protection. Occupational safety footwear has therefore found its place in our working life. The protection and benefits provided by occupational safety footwear have been standardized and categorized. This enables us to make the right choices for the right jobs and conditions. Occupational safety footwear consists of a sole and an upper. The sole is composed of an outer layer made of polyester polyurethane that provides physical and chemical resistance, and a polyurethane middle layer that provides comfort and lightness. Polyester polyurethane is used in the outer layer because of its resistance to chemicals such as oils and petroleum products. Additionally, steel or composite midsoles are used in shoes particularly used on construction sites to provide protection against nail penetration. Composite materials are preferred for their lightness and thermal insulation properties. Antistatic additives are also used in sole materials to prevent fires caused by static electricity. The upper consists of inner and outer linings. Water resistance, moisture wicking, and antibacterial additives protect worker health and comfort. These shoes are designed for summer and winter use and are distributed to workers seasonally. In recent years, manufacturers have significantly improved their designs, and modern occupational safety footwear with an emphasis on safety has been introduced to the market. In addition to occupational safety shoes, boots are also widely used in slaughterhouses, farms, and agriculture. Boots made from polyurethane instead of PVC are preferred for their lightness, thermal insulation, and comfort. Our country has gained a share in the global market with competitive products and innovative designs in the occupational safety footwear market. As of 2021, more than 70 enterprises have reached annual production volumes of close to 14,000,000 pairs. Approximately 1,000,000 pairs of this produced quantity are exported. Teknik Kimya has served the footwear ancillary industry for over 20 years with complementary products. Teknik Kimya provides services for occupational safety footwear through mold release agents, liquid colorants, spray paints, and rapid and effective technical support.       Sources • TS EN ISO 20345 • TS EN ISO 20347 • https://emaayakkabi.com/ • https://mekap.com.tr/ • https://www.ydsgroup.com.tr/ • http://www.pollyboot.com.tr/ • https://www.safetyjogger.com/en/eu/ • https://www.yatirimadestek.gov.tr/pdf/assets/upload/fizibiliteler/denizli-ili-is-guvenligi-ayakkabilari-uretim-tesisi-on-fizibliteraporu2021.pdf     İlker Akça Director of Technical Affairs Teknik Kimya