Safety shoes play a crucial role in workplace protection, offering various types and functions to meet different safety needs.

In the 20th century, the development of materials science and manufacturing technology led to a qualitative leap in labor – protection shoes. Advanced protection technologies such as steel toes, composite anti – smashing shoe toes, anti – puncture mid – soles, and anti – slip outsoles emerged. This not only enabled labor – protection shoes to provide all – round and multi – level protection for workers but also made the types of safety shoes increasingly rich. There are many types of safety shoes, including those that protect toes, prevent punctures, are insulating, and resistant to acids and alkalis.

For example, steel – making safety shoes are designed to prevent burns, scalds, stabbing, and cutting. They can withstand a certain static pressure, resist a certain temperature, and are non – flammable, making them suitable for smelting, front – of – furnace operations, and iron casting.

When it comes to the selection of safety shoes, it should be based on the nature and degree of hazards in the working environment. High – level labor – protection shoes have high technical indicators of front – end pressure resistance and impact resistance, providing better protection for toes. So, for jobs where toes are more likely to be smashed or crushed and the injury is more serious, high – level safety labor – protection shoes should be selected. However, for jobs where toe injury is unlikely to be serious, low – level labor – protection shoes can be chosen because high – level safety shoes are often expensive, bulky to wear, and have poor comfort.

In addition to choosing the appropriate type according to working conditions, safety shoes and boots should fit well and make people feel comfortable when worn. It is essential to carefully select the appropriate size. Moreover, safety shoes should come with a product certificate and an instruction manual. Before use, workers should read the manual according to the usage conditions and use them correctly. For special protective safety shoes, they need to be checked and kept clean after use and stored in a pollution – free and dry place. This way, safety shoes can effectively protect workers’ feet and ensure workplace safety.