Delta Plus News Changing your safety shoes: 5 warning signs

Changing your safety shoes: 5 warning signs

Sicherheitsschuhe werden oft täglich in Umgebungen mit unterschiedlichen Beanspruchungen getragen: auf Baustellen, in Lagerhallen, im Freien usw. Da sie stark beansprucht werden, nutzen sie sich irgendwann ab: Ein abgenutzter Sicherheitsschuh kann jedoch ein Risiko für die Sicherheit und den Komfort des Trägers darstellen. 

Boris Dodin, Experte für Fußschutz bei Delta Plus, erläutert die 5 Anzeichen, die darauf hindeuten, dass es Zeit ist, Ihre Sicherheitsschuhe zu ersetzen.

 

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Changing your safety shoes: 5 warning signs

Sicherheitsschuhe werden oft täglich in Umgebungen mit unterschiedlichen Beanspruchungen getragen: auf Baustellen, in Lagerhallen, im Freien usw. Da sie stark beansprucht werden, nutzen sie sich irgendwann ab: Ein abgenutzter Sicherheitsschuh kann jedoch ein Risiko für die Sicherheit und den Komfort des Trägers darstellen. 

Boris Dodin, Experte für Fußschutz bei Delta Plus, erläutert die 5 Anzeichen, die darauf hindeuten, dass es Zeit ist, Ihre Sicherheitsschuhe zu ersetzen.

 

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Safety tips

Safety shoes are often worn daily in environments of varying degrees of rigour: construction sites, warehouses, outdoors, etc. Put through their paces, they eventually wear out: yet a worn-out safety shoe can pose a risk to the wearer’s safety and comfort. Boris Dodin, Foot Protection expert at Delta Plus, explains the 5 signs that indicate it’s time to replace your safety shoes.

Update 9/8/26 7:38 AM

1. The outsole is worn out

The sole is the first thing to check on your safety footwear. Its role is to prevent slipping, particularly on wet or greasy surfaces. During the design phase, safety footwear undergoes grip testing in the laboratory, but this performance tends to diminish over time. 

 

“The design of the sole isn’t about aesthetics; it’s a technical function. When the lugs flatten, the shoe becomes slippery,” warns Boris Dodin.

 

Some ranges, such as Delta Plus’s sports range, feature wear indicators moulded into the sole, much like those on car tyres: “When at least two indicators are visible, the shoes need replacing,” explains Boris Dodin. 

 

These indicators are useful for workers, but also for procurement and HSE managers, who can thus better manage replacements and avoid over-consumption.

 

2. The safety shoe has been punctured

On some construction sites, it is not uncommon to step on a nail. Sometimes the foot is not affected, but the sole is. 

 

In this case, many people simply carry on working without a second thought. This is a mistake: “It’s like a motorbike helmet that has been knocked: you can no longer guarantee that it will protect you again. If a nail has pierced the sole, it’s best to replace the shoe,” insists Boris Dodin. Even if an accident has been avoided, safety is no longer guaranteed. 

 

3. The protective toe cap becomes visible after an impact

The steel or composite toe cap on safety shoes is designed to protect against impacts and crushing. The toe cap is integrated into a system: it rests on the sole and is encased in leather or textile. 

 

“If this covering is torn or punctured, the toe cap is no longer held in place properly. In the event of an impact, it will no longer protect the foot as effectively,” warns Boris Dodin. As soon as a tear appears that exposes the toe cap, the shoe must be replaced.

 

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4. The fabric is torn at the heel 

 

When buying safety shoes, many workers tend to choose a size larger, for fear that the toe cap will be uncomfortable. Others do not lace their shoes properly. 

 

“These mistakes increase friction at the back of the shoe and cause the fabric at the heel to wear out. This can lead to blisters. What’s more, with this layer of fabric missing, the shoe becomes too loose and doesn’t fit properly. And a poorly fitting safety shoe cannot fulfil its purpose,” emphasises Boris Dodin. 

 

5. Comfort is compromised by internal wear and tear of the shoe

 

The insole (known as the “footbed”) consists of a layer of foam covered with a textile layer. Sometimes this textile layer wears out, warps or peels away. 

“If it starts to form creases, this can create pressure points leading to pain and discomfort,” notes Boris Dodin, “this fabric also has an absorbent function; if it comes away, it can cause excessive sweating.” For the wearer’s comfort, it is therefore best to replace the shoe.

 

The conclusion is obvious: prevention is better than cure. A damaged safety shoe will no longer fulfil its role optimally, even if it still appears “wearable”. 

 

Watch the video to discover the technical benefits of the new Sport range of safety footwear, the design of which marked a turning point in the history of Delta Plus footwear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP3ihJO32zg 

 

Research into safety footwear also involves preventing musculoskeletal disorders through innovative designs.

 

Who should wear safety footwear?

Anyone working in high-risk environments (construction sites, factories, warehouses, etc.) must wear safety footwear to protect themselves from impacts, falling objects or punctures.

 

How do I choose the right size of safety footwear?

Try them on at the end of the day with suitable socks; check that your toes do not touch the toe cap and that your foot is well supported.

 

What are the standards for safety footwear?

In Europe, for example, the main standard for safety footwear is EN ISO 20345, which guarantees a reinforced toe cap and other protective features depending on the model and the ‘S’ marking (S1, S2 or S3: slip-resistant, puncture-resistant, water-resistant, etc.). In the United States, the standard is ASTM F2413, which sets out the safety requirements.

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