The Rigger boot&#;s ongoing popularity for outdoor working is due to its loose comfortable fit, affordability, fleece lining and weatherproof material. These slip-on boots are the perfect combination of welly and safety boot and were originally designed for oil rig workers &#; hence the name. Designed so that they can be removed in an emergency like falling into water both easily and fast, they are extremely durable which makes them a popular choice for building sites. More and more companies are banning them but why is this?
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Traditional rigger boots offered little mid-sole protection to prevent injury from standing on nails, screws etc. Also, although the boot covers the ankle, the looser fit offers no protection against rolling of the ankle on uneven ground. With slips, trips and falls being the most common workplace accident, lace up safety boots are seen as providing more adequate ankle protection and some companies and sites have banned rigger boots as a result.
Depending on the work you complete, it is important to wear the correct safety boot meaning on many construction sites, you&#;ll need safety footwear that is CE certified (compliant with PPE regulations). Most rigger boots do not comply with these regulations, although many now do offer steel toe caps and midsole protection as well as improved ankle support. Although they are not banned by any governing body, it is still best to check your site safety policies as some sites or companies may restrict the use of these boots.
If you work at height, outdoors or on building sites where slips, trips and falls on uneven surfaces are more likely, choose a lace up ankle boot or pull-on dealer boot that is comfortable, slip resistant and durable. They should conform to EN ISO : which is the standard which all styles that are classified as &#;safety footwear&#; are tested to.
Look out for abbreviations such as:
SB &#; safety basic and has a steel toe cap
S1P - anti-static (A) and made with a protective toecap and midsole (P) only
S3 &#; the most common type which has anti-static, made with a protective toecap and midsole and includes a water repellent upper
S5 - polymer or rubber moulded construction making them water and leak proof
HRO &#; heat resistant outsole
SRC &#; slip resistant
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WRU &#; weather resistant upper
WR &#; water resistant
Remember that most sites require that your boots are replaced every 6-12 months or when they are damaged.
I was recently asked the question: are Rigger Boots banned on Construction Sites?
This proved to be any interesting and lively area for debate on various forums on the internet. I can confirm that there is no blanket ban on the use of Rigger Boots on construction sites. There is, however, anecdotal evidence that many sites have chosen to impose their own bans on the use of Rigger Boots. There is a history of accidents and incidents that have been attributed to the lack of ankle support offered by various designs of boots, including rigger boots. As a result of this, I suggest that many contractors will be faced with two scenarios:
If a client chooses to ban Rigger Boots from their sites, then you will need to comply with their wishes. Further to this, if this is a common occurrence, then it may be in your interests to look into sensible alternatives in a proactive manner. As far as an assessment of PPE is concerned, then the use of steel toe cap boots (including Rigger Boots) should be assessed against the conditions expected or found on the site. Rigger boots tend to lead to problems on loose ground where the lack of ankle support can become an issue (as can be seen in the section below from the HSE website).
From HSE FAQ on Construction Sites
Over recent years rigger boots have become popular because they are easy to put on and are a cross between lace up boots and Wellingtons. However some companies have found that wearers of rigger boots are much more likely to suffer twisted or sprained ankle injuries. They think this is because rigger boots are a looser fit and the wearer is less able to prevent the foot from twisting to the side on uneven ground. This is the reason that some contractors will not allow them on site. This is an acceptable argument and you need to understand and comply with this rule.
Lace up boots are not normally suitable for licensed asbestos work within an enclosure. There is a history of cement burns where cement has gone into the safety shoe or boots and Wellington boots may provide more protection for groundwork using cement.
HSE focus on Construction Site Health and Safety
The HSE are still targeting construction sites for Health and Safety Enforcement visits. Now would be a good time to seek professional health and safety advise, so that you are prepared for a visit from the HSE. Talk to us: call on , or make contact through this website.
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