For those working in the mining sector, getting the correct safety footwear is about much more than choosing a comfortable pair of boots.
From offshore gas exploration to open pits to deep underground, the Australian resources industry has a diverse range of job roles that require many different types of fit-for-purpose safety boots.
Environmental conditions also vary significantly – wet and muddy to dusty and rocky and everything in between – and all sites have distinct challenges that demand specialised safety gear.
Taking a generic approach could ultimately leave workers at risk, so it’s vital to ensure the boot matches the job, the environment and the individual.
Not a ‘one-boot-fits-all’ approach
For an industry that prioritises safety and technology in its operations, mining workers can often end up wearing uncomfortable or inappropriate footwear.
For example, faced with wet and boggy conditions, underground miners may resort to wearing gumboots that are far from ideal when it comes to fit, cushioning and shock absorption.
Blundstone business development specialist Steve Broadbent has seen his share of tough site conditions. He recalled a comment from a miner at a longwall site in Queensland who was thankful his Blundstone boots were not only comfortable for long days at work but provided the right protection for working underground.
“The miner told me he walks around all day in six inches of water and sludge, on very uneven surfaces, so he needed a waterproof, supportive safety boot to handle those conditions,” Broadbent told Safe to Work.
“His Blundstone 980 specialist underground mining boots were doing an excellent job in this environment to keep the miner’s feet dry and his ankles supported.”
It’s not just workers on the front lines that need a tailored solution – any engineer, drill operator, truck driver or process operator needs safety footwear that suits their individual requirements. However, this vast range of work roles coupled with different environmental hazards in different areas can be a challenge for work, health and safety (WHS) officers and procurement teams when outfitting their staff.
The solution is to find a comprehensive range of boots with tailored safety features that are made from tough, battle-tested materials to protect in the most extreme environments.
Enter Blundstone mining boots.
Broadbent said Blundstone has long prioritised manufacturing and technological leadership, delivering specific features such as waterproofing, chemical resistance, heat resistance and slip resistance to meet the demands of various roles.
“The mining industry is evolving rapidly and Blundstone is prioritising innovation to ensure every worker is protected,” Broadbent said.
“Designed with advanced technology and tested for the harshest conditions, our mining safety footwear provides comfortable, supportive and lightweight protection for workers, and long-term value for procurement teams.
“This reduces overall personal protective equipment [PPE] costs while keeping staff fully protected with the best safety footwear on the market.”
This long-term durability and comfort can also heavily reduce worker fatigue and musculoskeletal foot pain, a positive for the worker and the company’s bottom line.
A comfortable, fit-for-purpose pair of boots can contribute to a reduction in lost work hours caused by lower limb pain, slips, trips and falls.
Rotoflex MAX #9099
The all-purpose powerhouse of Blundstone’s RotoFlex range, the MAX #9099 aims to combine style with top-tier safety.
This boot features ultra water-repellent AquaShield leather and a fully waterproof Sympatex membrane (bootie) designed to conquer any terrain and meet every challenge.
A GripTek MAX Sole, made from advanced Vibram Rubber TC4+, provides traction, protection and support and provides heat resistance to 300°C.
It is also fuel oil resistant and offers strong abrasion, cut and slip resistance to keep teams safe on-site.
Rotoflex #9161
“The RotoFlex #9161 is packed from top to toe with premium comfort and safety,” Broadbent said.
“It is designed to provide protection in environments where there is potential for hazardous liquid chemical exposure.”
Offering abrasion, cut and slip resistance, the GRIPTEK XHD biomechanically engineered rubber (PUR) outsole is designed for optimum grip and stability. It is also heat resistant to 300°C and is fuel oil resistant.
The #9161 is also tested for limited contact with common chemicals including methanol (A), dichloromethane (D), sodium hydroxide at 40 per cent concentration (K) and isopropanol (Q).
Both the #9099 and #9161 offer a FORTASHIELD broad-fitting, cut-resistant steel toe cap, an AIRCELL zoned airflow footbed, and a SOFTCELL comfort system to increase stability, balance, comfort and manoeuvrability.
With a well-earned legacy of crafting quality, safe footwear for more than 150 years, Blundstone is able to offer a wide range of high-quality Australian-designed safety boots to cover the diverse range of jobs right across the resources sector, including underground mining boots, waterproof boots, chemical-resistant boots, smelter boots, and many more.
This feature also appears in the March–April issue of Safe to Work.