Working with steel is dangerous. Keeping your feet safe and preventing injuries is a top priority for many people. Every day, most people go about their everyday lives without ever thinking about the dangers that lurk just outside their windows or the hazards that await them at work.
The same cannot be said for those working in manufacturing plants, construction sites, or other professions where safety equipment is necessary. These professions are no strangers to danger;
After all, they involve working with sharp implements and machinery that could cause serious injury if not handled properly. Steel-capped boots come with a steel shank to protect against injuries from slipping when working in high places such as ladders and scaffolding.
These are called climbing boots or work boots because they are designed to keep you safe while doing any type of rough manual labor outdoors, even if it involves working at heights.
First, let’s look at what the term “steel shank” means and why you’ll want to have one of these features on your footwear if you spend most of your time in industrial settings or construction sites.
Where is the steel shank in a work boot?
The steel shank is a piece of metal, usually steel, inserted into the heel of a work boot. It is specifically designed to prevent injury by absorbing energy from a fall or slip when working at heights.
The metal also provides added support and stability to the wearer’s foot as they venture higher up ladders or scaffolding without risking any type of injury, such as plantar fasciitis, sprained ankles, and even broken bones.
These are called climbing boots or work boots because they are designed to keep you safe while doing any type of rough manual labor outdoors, even if it involves working at heights.
Are steel-toe boots puncture-resistant?
The shank of the boot is a steel bar embedded into the toe of the boot. The steel bar serves as a support and helps prevent foot injuries when you are working on high places like ladders or scaffolding.
In case of any accident, the steel bar can act as a barrier to prevent injury from worsening. Some boots may also come with replaceable metal plates that are inserted inside the upper area of the shoe.
In case of an accidental slip, it will help protect your feet from injury. In addition, these metal plates can be easily replaced if they get damaged or wear out over time.
This feature is perfect for construction sites where workers have to stand, walk, and work on their feet all day long, during breaks, and sometimes even while sitting down.
Why do boots need shanks?
A steel shank is a metal rod that goes into the shoe to prevent slipping. It comes in various styles and can be found on different types of footwear, including work boots, hiking boots, tennis shoes, hunting boots, and others.
One reason steel shanks are so important is that they help protect workers from injuries caused by their feet and the objects they may be standing near or working with.
A steel shank helps give you more traction when walking or working on an unstable surface like a ladder or other type of scaffolding.
The metal rod also gives you the extra support needed when climbing up or down ladders or other large pieces of equipment. This can reduce the risk of injury by helping absorb some impact during falls.
Depending on what type of profession you have as well as your physical condition, your company may require steel-capped boots for certain employees at every job site.
There is no hard and fast rule about this; it depends entirely on what your company needs for their employees’ safety in individual cases.
Why is the use of steel shanks important in footwear?
The steel shank on your work boots or climbing boots is the foundation of any safety shoe. It’s a hard, durable, and heavy-duty metal coated in rubber, making it easy to grip onto surfaces.
Steel use has been around since the 1940s. However, its popularity has significantly increased in recent decades because of its many benefits. Let’s take a look at a few of those important benefits for workers:
- Steel is durable: over time, steel does not corrode and does not break down due to rust or oxidization. This means you can trust this product to last for decades without anything happening to it during your work.
- Steel shanks are heavy-duty and firm enough to be stable while doing manual labor: no matter what you’re doing, you’ll be able to find stability and support when wearing a steel shank boot.
