Feet Protection

Feet Protection

Foot injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in Australian industry — and among the most preventable. Safety footwear protects against the major foot injury mechanisms: impact from falling objects, compression from rolling or crushing loads, penetration from sharp objects underfoot, and slip incidents on wet and contaminated floors. The right safety footwear for a given workplace depends on the hazards present, the environment, and the physical demands of the work. AIMS Industrial supplies safety footwear compliant with Australian standards for industrial, construction, and maintenance workplaces.

Australian Standards for Safety Footwear

Safety footwear in Australia is assessed to AS/NZS 2210.3, which defines performance requirements for toe cap strength (impact and compression), outsole penetration resistance, slip resistance, and other hazard-specific properties. Footwear is classified by performance level — the standard classification marks on the boot (e.g., SB, S1, S2, S3 for European-equivalent classifications) describe which hazards the footwear is rated to protect against. Employers must specify the correct standard for the hazards present; workers should not be selecting footwear without reference to the documented risk assessment for their work area.

Types of Safety Footwear

• Steel cap safety boots: The most common form for heavy industry, construction, and trades. Traditional steel toe cap with ankle support, penetration-resistant midsole, and oil-resistant outsole. Available in lace-up, zip-side, and elastic-side configurations.
• Composite toe safety boots: Non-metallic toe cap (fibreglass, carbon fibre, or plastic composite) provides the same protection class as steel with reduced weight and no thermal conduction — preferred in cold environments and for work near electrical hazards where metal in the footwear is undesirable.
• Safety gumboots: Waterproof PVC or rubber construction with steel or composite toe cap. Required for wet environments, chemical handling areas, and outdoor work in wet conditions. Chemical-resistant gumboots are specified where the footwear may contact aggressive chemicals.

Fit and Comfort

Safety footwear must fit correctly to provide effective protection and to be worn consistently. Footwear that is uncomfortable will be removed or substituted — defeating the protection entirely. For safety footwear selection for your workplace hazard profile, contact our team.

Hazard-Specific Footwear Features

Beyond the core toe cap and outsole requirements, consider additional rated features for specific hazard profiles: waterproof construction for outdoor and wet environments; Electrical Hazard (EH) rated outsoles where footwear may contact live electrical equipment; metatarsal guard protection for extreme overhead impact risk; chemical-resistant uppers and sole bonding for chemical handling areas; and heightened ankle support in lace-up or zip-side boots for uneven terrain and prolonged walking on hard surfaces.