Composite Toe vs Steel Toe Work Boots

What’s the difference between composite toe and steel toe safety boots? Both are great at protecting your toes from getting crushed or pierced on the job. Specifically, safety toe boots offer two forms of protection: impact resistance and compression resistance.

Both these toe boots have materials wrapped around your toes at the front of your boots, and both offer unique benefits that should be weighed when you’re making a decision.

Composite Toe

Comp toe work boots are quickly replacing steel toe boots as the industry norm. It is made of non-metal materials like Kevlar, carbon fibre, plastic or fiberglass. Some jobs might require you to pass through a metal detector; this makes composite toe boots ideal.

Since these boots do not contain metal, they are more comfortable when working outdoors. This is especially true when working outside in extreme conditions. Metal conducts heat, meaning your feet will get colder in cold climates, and hotter in hot climates. So, it is preferable to have comp boots for outdoor work.

Composite boots are also much lighter, this means you’ll use less energy when walking and the boots will actually feel more comfortable if you are wearing them for a long period of time.

Steel Toe

This boot is a classic for qa reason, for years, steel safety toes have been the old tried and true method for protecting the feet of countless workers on the job. And although comp boots are lighter, steel toe boots offer more flat protection.

That’s right, as far as straight impact and protection goes, steel toes can handle much more. That being said, unless you are working in a very hazardous environment, you’re not likely to be in a situation where your toe boot is at risk of shattering.

However, there is a myth that, if met with a heavy enough object, steel toe boots can chop off your toes! Luckily this is false.

Always be careful on the job and be aware. Composite and steel toe bots do a great job of protecting your feet, but it is best to avoid situations that can result in injury in the first place.

Which safety toe do you think is best for your line of work? Browse through L&A Safety’s wide range of work boot options and pick which one is best for you.

Canteen Duty: What to Wear

It’s one of those things that you could probably never imagine doing – spending the day making and serving food, while people crowd around a counter waiting for their food. Yet, many people who work in the food industry, in the school tuck shop or volunteer to help out, know all about it.

The most important thing about canteen duty is what to wear! L&A Safety has a great range of protective clothing including canteen wear like canteen aprons, caps and tops and trousers.

-> Tie up your hair or wear a hair net
 You don’t want to be flinging your hair around and have a strand fall in someone’s sandwich. Many canteens will actually make it mandatory to wear your hair in a hairnet, so make sure you tie it back properly.

-> Cover up the toe cleavage
While it’s not a serious thing, schools may be concerned about Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines. Avoid trouble, or a blob of piping hot soup landing on your toes, and wear closed shoes like a pair of sneakers or clogs from L&A Safety.

->Always wear an apron
Working in a canteen is a messy business, so cover up your clothes with an apron. Make sure it is ideally suited, and get a high-quality one from L&A Safety.

What are some other fail-safe tips for surviving life in the canteen?

A guide to chemical protective clothing

When working in a research laboratory, there may be exposure to dangerous chemicals, so your health and well-being is a vital concern. Whether it is chemical protective clothing for the field or while lab coats for the lab, your safety is easy to maintain as long as you have the right clothing.

The major area of concern when it comes to chemical exposure is contact with your eyes and skin. Your eyes will be protected with safety goggles, and your skin is protected with chemical protective clothing. Think of what a scientist would usually wear – pocket protectors and a white coat.

White lab coats protect from exposure to harmful chemical dust, so a dust mask needs to be worn to prevent inhalation of chemicals. Disposable chemical protective clothing can also provide protection, especially against splashes. For workers who use spray resins or paints, full body garments prevent any skin exposure or transfer of chemicals.

The best feature of these items is of course their disposable nature. Most disposable clothing garments are made from recycled content, which provides safety while being affordable. These pieces of disposable clothing can be discarded after use to minimize cleaning costs, especially in automotive painting, machine shop operations and chemical cleanup.

Depending on your work environment, the level and target areas of exposure vary. The protective clothing items will also differ. From protective hoods, shoes, gloves and sleeves to white coats, pants and full body suits. No matter what you’re wearing, when exposure occurs, you must dispose of the protective garment.

If your job involves exposure to harmful chemicals, always make sure you wear the right chemical protective clothing!

For a wide range of personal protection equipment and clothing, take a look at L&A Safety's website, or visit them at one of their branches in Milnerton, Robertson or Vredenburg!

How to choose the right respirator or dust mask

Home and garden projects may involve exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins, like paint fumes, solvents, dust, adhesives, pesticides and cleaning products. In addition to proper ventilation, a respirator or dust mask will go a long way in protecting your lungs and health.

However, respirators and dust masks aren’t all the same; there are different kinds to choose from. At home and around the workshop, a particulate filter or chemical cartridge respirator are likely to be all you’ll need. Take a look through L&A Safety's range of products, including a variety of respirators and dust masks!

Particulate Filters: These include disposable dust masks, which are the most common type of air-purifying devices for home use. Particulate filters can be disposable or reusable with replaceable filters. They cover your nose and mouth and provide protection from airborne particles, such as dust, mists, liquids and some fumes.

When you are choosing a dust mask, consider:

- Masks with an adjustable nose piece offer a tighter fit.

- Disposable masks with foam face seals will be more comfortable and a little more effective.

- Masks with an exhalation valve will make breathing easier.

- For highly toxic particles (such as asbestos), choose a non-disposable mask with sealing gaskets.

Chemical Cartridge Respirators: These respirators contain special carbon filtering material that absorbs gases and vapours from the air. The replaceable cartridges are inserted in a mask that seals tightly around the edges to block out unfiltered air. Cartridge respirators may be half-mask or full-face.

Respirator Safety Tips:

- Notice Smells
Change the filter if you notice any changes in smells or taste, or if your throat, nose, or lungs become irritated.

- Breathe Easy
You should also change your respirator if it becomes clogged and hard to breathe through.

- Keep Dry
Many respirators, especially disposable ones, become ineffective if they get wet.

- Follow Instructions
Replace filters as instructed on the package.

- Don’t Reuse
Disposable respirators aren’t meant to be used more than once.

- Throw Away if Broken
Discard any respirator or filter canister that is dirty or damaged. Replace gas masks if rubber seals are damaged.

A respirator is an extremely important device that protects your mouth and nose from any harmful chemicals or toxins. Make sure to choose the right respirator or dust mask according to your needs.

L&A Safety pride themselves on being a one stop destination for all of your Personal Protection Equipment - We are waiting to take your call, contact us today! Milnerton : 021 552 - 0665; Vredenburg : 022 713 - 3149; Robertson : 076 532 - 5533.

If you love DIY projects – There are five pairs of gloves you should never be without

A good pair of gloves is vital for performing different tasks around the house, garden or garage. Plus they make great gifts for the mechanic of home-improvement nut in your life. L&A Safety can offer you a full range of gloves to choose from for all your different DIY projects - Check out the website here and place your order!

Here are five pairs of gloves you should never be without if you love DIY…

Nitrile Gloves – These gloves hold up to the toughness of many uses, including engine swaps and mechanical teardowns. The only downside to wearing gloves like these is the loss of dexterity, so getting the right size is crucial. Nitrile gloves are resistant to most chemicals, but grease and oil will eventually render them useless. However, whether you are a professional or a weekend warrior, these are essential.

Latex Gloves – These gloves should be thicker than the ones at the doctor’s office, and be able to handle most chemicals. They are especially useful when packing wheel bearings and doing oil changes, plus a pair in the back of your truck can really help in any roadside emergency. Multiple uses are obviously out of the question, but they make clean up quick and easy!

Leather Palm Work Gloves – Also known as general use or inspection gloves, these thin latex gloves are great when using cleaning chemicals like bleach or heavy engine degreaser. They are also great for applying a clay bar as they keep oil skins from contaminating the clay.

Latex-Dipped Work Glove – When you’re handling heavy and obscure objects that don’t require much dexterity, these gloves can handle just about anything. If you’re going to be carrying heavy engine blocks, transmission cases and axle housings around, these are definitely a must!

Welding Gloves – No matter what kind of welding you do, it can pose a serious threat to your hands. An insulated pair of welding gloves is a key part of safety. You may have tried to weld without gloves, but once you get burned once, you will never make that mistake again.

While many products focus on protecting the eyes and ears, it is actually the hands that usually bear the brunt of most garage and DIY hazards. This is why it is essential to have the right work gloves for every occasion!

Running in combat boots made comfortable

Running in combat boots doesn’t need to be painful if you have good boots for running! If you’re a police officer or security guard, you’ll be grateful to have a solid pair of boots that are built to move. 

Here are some of the design features of the best boots for running.

> Good Fit. If you’re going to be running in combat boots, you want them to be snug, but not too tight. Your heel shouldn’t wiggle at all in the boot when chasing after someone or moving to a different position.

> Traction. A solid outsole will help you keep your stride, and prevent you from slipping and sliding around any tight corners.

> Flexibility. When your foot moves, it flexes. Flexible boots offer a wider range of motion, allowing you to move quicker and easier.

> Breathable. A breathable boot means not as much sweat, and if you’re running hard, you’re going to sweat!

> Lightweight. The more weight you put on your feet, the more effort you have to use when running. Choose lightweight boots to make running a breeze.

Take a look at L&A Safety's wide range of combat boots that are not only of the highest quality, but are also sold at an affordable price! Order today, or visit one of their branches in Vredenburg, Robertson or Milnerton.

But why is it so important to have combat boots built for running? Well, it matters if you’re in the army or part of the police. After all being part of an elite combat unit means swiftly and strategically relocating positions and improvising on the go. It means being able to tread lightly and keep quiet. So you can’t wear old-fashioned trench boots that were passed down from your grandfather.

Failure to pay attention to minor details when you purchase a good pair of combat boots can end up in careless and unnecessary mistakes that can’t be undone.

A solid pair of combat boots not only protect you from the elements, but also help you to move fast enough to reach objectives and complete import tasks efficiently.

Don’t let a cheap, lousy pair of boots be your mistake. If you’re a law enforcement officer, security guard or soldier, you’ll know how critical boots are to the job! 

Protective clothing is a must in mining

There are many potential hazards and risks that you may come across while working on mining work sites. It is vital for employees to wear the correct safety equipment and follow the safety protocols to protect their health.

Here are some reasons why protective clothing and equipment is so important:

 - Get noticed. Employees who wear high visibility gear are much more likely to be seen by other people. This is especially important if employees are working near machinery or a road.

- Protect their skin. Protective clothing is specifically designed to protect employees’ skin from cuts, grazes or any other injury.

- Barrier to the elements. Employees are often required to work in extreme conditions such as rain, high winds, cold and extreme heat.

The types of protective equipment used in the mining industry includes safety goggles, steel-toed boots, safety helmets, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, high visibility vests, ear plugs and hats.

Businesses are required to train their employees on the appropriate way to wear protective equipment and how to use it correctly.

Organisations must also ensure anyone visiting the workplace wears the appropriate protective equipment where necessary. It’s then essential to inform any visitors of safety procedures and alert them of potential hazards.

But, where can you buy this clothing? It is important to purchase the right personal protective clothing for each specific situation to protect employee’s health and safety. It would be a good idea to check out landasafety.co.za, where they have a wide range of personal protective equipment.

Wearing protective clothing when working in the mining industry won’t stop accidents from happening, but it can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and health problems.