It sounds like a plot line for a super spy flick.
An arbor press relentlessly presses down on a shoe, applying thousands of pounds of pressure until . . . nothing happens.
This was the test in an episode of the television show, Mythbusters. The experimenters were trying to see how much abuse a steel-toe boot could take as opposed to a regular boot. One of the tests involved pressure from a press. Another test employed impact from a guillotine blade.
It seems there was an urban myth making the rounds that a steel-toe boot put the wearer at a higher risk of amputation.
The Mythbusters showed that steel-toe boots, took more pressure without harm to the wearer — 6,000 pounds as opposed to 1,200 pounds for a regular boot. The safety boots also fended off impact from a guillotine from 3 feet at 75 pounds pressure. In fact, the Mythbusters had to set up an extreme test, dropping a shearing blade from six feet at 400 pounds to cause the steel-toe boot to fail.
Myth busted.
Today, although there are many types of safety toe boots on the market, composite work boots are replacing steel as the industry norm, according to Magnum Boots. Non-metal materials such as Kevlar, plastic or fiberglass are replacing steel, which can be hot — and set off metal detectors. These materials are also lighter weight than steel and don't conduct electricity. However, composite materials can be more expensive.
Some work boots take protection a bit further, and build shielding into the upper material of the boot as well, to protect the top of the foot as well.
Steel-toed boots have entered the sporting world, too, as protective boots are now being made for athletics, such as skiing.
Although some manufacturers might add their own identifying symbols to their work shoes, these are the basic symbols to look for (although you might find more letters and symbols added):
Green triangle, heavy construction or machine shop work, sharp object protection, Grade 1 toe cap with puncture resistant sole.
Yellow triangle, light industrial, sole puncture protection with a Grade 2 protective toe.
Orange Omega, electrical conditions, electric shock resistance.
Red with a black letter C, low-power electrical charge hazards.
Fir tree symbol, forestry and chainsaw workers.
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