The Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail (IRSST) has published “How to Choose Slip-Resistant Occupational Footwear.” The guide presents the procedures for selecting footwear that will provide good grip and adequate protection against other hazards.
It offers advice to help make wise protective footwear choices, such as forming a selection committee, taking risk factors into account, choosing the appropriate sole, validating the choice before the purchase, assessing satisfaction and ensuring upkeep after purchase and making sure that the choice remains appropriate.
“An appropriate selection of occupational footwear can help reduce the risk of slipping and falling. But it is important to realize that no one type of shoe or boot can be slip-resistant in all situations. There is no single model of footwear that will eliminate all risks,” said Chantal Gauvin, the IRSST engineer, who authored the pamphlet.
In addition to a reading list of documents on slip prevention in French and English for those who wish to learn more, and an explanation of some test methods, the pamphlet explains concepts such as the coefficient of friction between the sole and the ground.
“It is essential to do a thorough analysis of the workplace and the tasks to be performed to determine the best ways to reduce accident risks, while understanding that the choice of good slip-resistant footwear should be complementary to other preventive measures implemented by an organization to eliminate or reduce the sources of danger,” asserted Gauvin.