Protect Your Employees from Cold and Falls with Insulated, Safe and Slip-Resistant Winter Work Shoes from Shoes For Crews

It is dark, temperatures are falling, it is raining, and weather-related hazards on walkways in and around buildings are increasing. Facility management professionals work both inside and outside buildings across a wide range of industries. During the cold season, they therefore have to contend particularly with weather conditions. Their work cannot be done from the comfort of a home office. Wet walkways covered with leaves or even snow in and around facilities are among the routes they travel in their daily work, as they must maintain them and make them safe for other employees to walk on.  Darkness, rain, snow and ice significantly increase the risk of accidents. For this reason, it is especially important at this time of year to equip your staff with appropriate workwear. Read on to find out how we at Shoes For Crews can help you minimise risks in winter with our range.

Winter safety practices

Even though people in German-speaking countries traditionally wish each other “Einen guten Rutsch” or “Rutsch guet übere!” (in Switzerland) at the turn of the year, slipping and sliding is neither fun nor desirable in facility management. It involves real risks that can lead to workplace accidents and employee absences for affected staff. This generally also results in indirect costs for the employer, who must replace absent personnel. The German Social Accident Insurance Institution summarises the most important winter tips and safety practices:

• Wear bright and/or reflective clothing. Bags and backpacks can also be fitted with reflectors or neon-coloured protective covers to improve visibility. Large bright areas are the most noticeable. 
• Wear suitable shoes: A wide, well-treaded sole made from the most slip-resistant material possible is important. Models with a higher shaft that can be adjusted in width also provide better ankle support than low shoes. 
• Walk slowly and take short steps when conditions may be slippery.

Practical tips for FM professionals
In addition, the German Social Accident Insurance provides five recommendations that facility management professionals should implement:

1. Always remove contamination caused by moisture, sand, oil, etc. immediately. Put away cardboard boxes.
2. Organise winter maintenance services in good time: staff/service providers, machinery, tools, gritting materials, etc.
3. Make accident-prone areas outdoors safer, cordoning them off if necessary, such as dips prone to black ice, manhole covers or cycle paths and walkways covered with leaves.
4. Make drying zones in entrance areas sufficiently large and keep them dry/clean. Check loose floor mats for suitability.
5. Ensure adequate lighting on all walkways: especially at edges and steps.

By following these guidelines, facility management employees can make the working environment safer for everyone. But what about the protection of the professionals themselves?

Winter work shoes from Shoes For Crews
FM professionals are the first to step onto uncleared walkways and areas, which creates a particularly high risk. This is where we at Shoes For Crews come in with our special range of winter work shoes . Discover our range below.

The ENGINEER IV CT

The Engineer IV CT is our unisex model, available in sizes 36-48 and certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 [S7L SR LG]. Here is an overview of its features:

• Removable, cushioned insole (recycled EVA)
• Composite toe cap – 200 joules
• Trip protection
• Puncture-resistant
• Dirt-resistant outsole
• Waterproof coated leather upper
• Recycled polyester lining
• Metal-free
• Easy to clean
• Weight per shoe: 718 grams (in size 41)

The DELVIN

Certified to EN ISO 20345:2022 [S7L CI SR ESD], the Delvin is also a unisex model and is available in sizes 35-48. Its benefits at a glance:

• Composite toe cap – 200 joules
• Puncture-resistant
• 200 g cold insulation
• Extremely slip-resistant outsole with trip protection
• Recycled polyester lining
• Waterproof coated leather upper
• Weight per shoe: 793 grams (in size 42)

The CARRIG MID

The lightweight option in our range, weighing just 507 grams in size 39. The CARRIG MID is certified to EN ISO 20347:2022 [O6 HI CI SR ESD LG] and available in sizes 35-48. We have also summarised its benefits for you:

• Removable, cushioned insole (recycled EVA)
• Excellent cushioning
• Breathable
• Extremely slip-resistant outsole with trip protection
• Heat and cold insulation
• Durable, waterproof combination of leather and mesh
• Recycled polyester lining
• Metal-free

With this range, Shoes For Crews is your ideal partner during the cold season. Do not wait any longer: protect your facility management staff during this particularly demanding season with insulated, safe and slip-resistant winter work shoes and boots. Do you have any further questions? Contact us today.