Rubber-soled footwear usually serves to keep workers feet dry in wet conditions. It also can keep feet warm. Purchasers can choose from many styles, from low-cut rubbers to high-cut boots, and from thin, flexible pullovers to heavy-duty safety boots.

Many rubber-soled shoes and boots have soles that are designed to provide better grip. But rubber and synthetics, by their nature, cannot provide a lot of traction. Water can cause them to slip on many surfaces. And rubber's traction on icy surfaces is only marginally better than traction provided by smooth leather. What's more, floors that have engine oil or animal fat on them can be just as hazardous under rubber as under leather.

2. Chains.

Footwear designed for use in icy, slippery conditions includes strap-on devices that act like tire chains. Chain-link footwear can offer improved traction on ice, but it is not suitable for normal surfaces because the chain links provide less stable footing. The chains can also damage almost any type of floor surface not covered by ice.

3. Spikes, studs, and bolts.

Drawing on automotive tire technology, a few companies make footwear specifically for use on thick ice or deep snow. Typically, these shoes and boots are hard rubber, plastic, or metal strap-on devices, with anything from small studs to actual spikes bristling from the soles. They are for use only on ice, snow, or similar surfaces. (They will damage any conventional floor.)

One product uses 18 large hexhead bolts in the sole and heel of each unit to grip the ice. It has a clean arch, free of bolts, to help workers climb ladders safely. These soles are designed specifically to flex with the foot for maximum traction. They have angled treads that shed themselves of ice and snow buildups. Since conditions vary, designs may employ studs instead of bolts and may have different attaching straps, sole patterns, and heel kicks.

4. Gritted footwear.

Grit-covered soles provide better traction on slippery surfaces than rubber soles. Thousands of tiny grit particles embedded into the sole of the shoe or boot improve traction by digging into every surface.

Gritted soles provide sure-footedness on the job, even when the worker is lifting heavy loads on oily floors. Grit-covered soles do improve traction on ice, though they are not as effective on icy surfaces as bolts or studs. Gritted footwear is a logical choice to go along with foul-weather gear, The cold weather that requires thermal protection is also likely to create hazardous slip-and-fall conditions.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR
What should the safety officer or purchasing manager look for when choosing high-traction footwear for use in the workplace?

• Consider the sole.
  

  The sole of the shoe or boot is the critical interface with the slippery surface, and the objective is to obtain maximum contact of the sole's abrasive material with that surface. The highest-quality gritted footwear will have its grit embedded in the surface of the shoe, not just glued to it. A deep bed of premium grit material such as aluminum oxide will continually replenish broken points. Ice and snow buildup reduces gritted footwear traction, so it's preferable to find a sole with some form of self-cleaning design.

• Consider fit.
  

  High-traction gear for use on ice - studs, spikes, and bolts - have special performance requirements. The sole should be designed for maximum grip, and ease of use and strong attaching straps are critical. But fit is also important. Before you can prevent slipping on a walking surface, you must first prevent the foot from slipping inside the footwear.

• Consider maintenance.
  

  The bolts that are used in the soles of ice-gripping footwear for example, should be easily replaceable at any hardware store.

• Consider construction.
  

  Strength of construction, including the use of premium materials, significantly lengthens the life of the footwear. However, high flexibility and good ergonomic design may be even more important, because they promote frequent use as well as improve traction.

• Consider Style.
  

  The purchaser should know whether the workers prefer over-the-shoe or over-the-sock styles. Look for a range from low-cut to high-cut boots (17 inches high or more). Sizes should include extra-large, to fit over metatarsal guard shoes or insulated boot soles, as well as smaller sizes to fit the increasing number of female workers. Some situations may also require availability of steel toes for extra protection or bright colors for high visibility.

DON'T FORGET TRAINING

Don't overlook providing adequate training in the use of high-traction footwear. Users of slip-resistant footwear should be trained in how to prevent accidents and injuries and in how to prolong the equipment's life. A group training session of as little as 10 minutes can make a big difference.

Slips and falls in the workplace are a significant problem for many U.S. businesses. But to date, the problem has not gotten the attention it deserves. Companies spend millions of dollars each year on the costs associated with slip-and-fall accidents. Investing just a few of those dollars in prevention now - including high-traction footwear could turn much of that money into profit later.