First responders deal with long, high-pressure shifts, challenging environments and ever-changing tasks. Your crew faces hazards specific to its line of work every day, so it needs the utmost protection. Furthermore, the NHS and emergency services require PPE as part of duty-of-care regulations as well as to protect against blood-borne pathogens.
In unpredictable, emergency environments the risk of fluid exposure is real, and even minor foot injuries can quickly lead to infection if the correct footwear is not worn. These scenes often involve:
- Broken glass, sharps or metal
- Oil spills or fuel leaks
- Uneven surfaces
- Blood or bodily fluids
Discover five different blood-borne pathogen-resistant shoes and boots from Shoes For Crews, ideal for emergency crews where every minute on the job counts. Keep reading to find out how these styles are suited to a variety of fast-paced situations.
What blood-borne pathogen resistant footwear is
This type of protection comes in the form of safety boots and shoes with specialised layers and a sealed construction designed to prevent the penetration of blood or other bodily fluids. They are essential for healthcare personnel and paramedics, who may encounter splashes and spills, particularly if they have an open wound on their foot.
With this in mind, one or more of the following blood-borne pathogen-resistant shoe styles may be the right choice for your team:
1. Callan Low and Mid
The Callan style comes in different heights with Low and Mid being the most appropriate for first responders. It has a breathable membrane and extra padding as well as the removable cushioned insole allow for a comfortable fit. Blisters can form when shoes are too tight or ill-fitting, putting the wearer at risk of infections. With its blood-borne pathogen resistant layer, your crews will be protected from these risks and their health will be safeguarded when it matters most. The Callan Low weighs only 515g based on a size 42, while the Callan Mid weighs 585g based on the same size. It is an excellent, lightweight boot for long, stressful shifts.
2. Beltra
The Beltra offers emergency medical services workers easy manoeuvrability and features removable, extra-cushioned insoles made from recyclable materials. Since 2022, we at Shoes For Crews have been using granules from PET bottles for the inner linings of our styles. Our shoes mainly contain EVA derived from processed flip-flops for the insoles, and rubber from recycled car tyres for the outsoles.
Its double-layered outsole provides flexibility and more control all day long. The waterproof combination of coated leather and mesh is durable and stable, though we are testing alternatives to traditional materials. This work trainer is known for its 4SGTM slip-resistant outsole and provides excellent grip, as well as protection against blood-borne pathogens and infections. TripGuard helps your workers to safely transition from textured surfaces, such as concrete, to flat, smooth floors, such as tile. It weighs just 376g (based on a size 42).
3. Defense Mid and High
Our Defense Mid and High styles feature a lightweight and metal-free design with a composite safety toe and a puncture-resistant insert. The upper is made from a blend of coated leather and mesh textile and is enhanced with a waterproof blood-borne pathogen-resistant protective membrane. This construction repels water and other contaminants, keeping the forefoot dry throughout long, busy shifts.
The EVA midsole provides extra padding for enhanced comfort and durability. Its outsole is specially designed for standing and walking for extended periods of time. The Defense Mid weighs 552g per shoe, based on a size 42, and the Defense High style weighs 607g in the same size.
It is equipped with our 4SGTM Seasons Grip outsole, making it slip-, oil- and grease-resistant across all weather conditions. Your emergency services crews can depend on our footwear to stay sure-footed and minimise their risk of tripping, because others depend on them.
4. Delvin
Designed to handle even the harshest conditions with ease, our Delvin style is the ideal choice. With a recycled EVA midsole and a breathable polyester lining made from repurposed plastic bottles, it keeps emergency services and paramedics both comfortable and dry. From heavy snow to ice, your teams can face it all with the sophisticated blend of materials found in our superior ICE PROTM outsole technology. Its defined heel provides added safety and protection on call when running up stairs or climbing ladders.
Weighing only 793g in a size 42, this boot is resistant to blood-borne pathogens and the TripGuard feature protects against falls. The composite toe cap provides up to 200J of impact resistance, quickly regaining its shape to prevent trapping.
5. Darver
Thanks to its extra-cushioned, removable insoles; waterproof coated leather uppers; and its 4SGTM outsole, the Darver is another excellent choice for keeping emergency response teams and paramedics safe. Its EVA midsole and padded tongue ensure comfort during those long, unpredictable shifts. The waterproof leather and mesh uppers are designed to repel water and keep feet dry, whatever the weather.
Our TripGuard technology promotes easy movement on different surfaces and significantly reduces the risk of tripping and falling with its large surface area. The boot is antistatic, meaning it prevents static electric charges through rapid discharge, thus, protecting the wearer and their surrounding work equipment. Weighing just 618g in a size 42, it has been proven to resist the penetration of blood-borne pathogens and other biological hazards.
Investing in durable, high-performance work shoes and boots now will protect the health and safety of your emergency services and response teams in the long term. If you would like to learn more about any of the styles mentioned in this article, please get in touch with one of our experts. Or browse our full Catalog online to see more footwear styles that are resistant to blood-borne pathogens.
