Safe Work Australia recognises agriculture as one of the most dangerous industries due to its broad range of hazards including vehicles, chemicals, exposure to weather and working with animals.
The 2021 ‘Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia' report, by Safe Work Australia, highlighted the rise of work-related injury and death in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing category, with a total of 3893 serious claims and 46 fatalities reported between 2019 and 2020.
As 23 per cent of injuries across all industries attributed to slips, trips, and falls, it is critical to help minimise risks with fit-for-purpose workwear and safety is intrinsic to Blundstone's heritage.
Crafting boots since the late 1800s, the Australian footwear brand understands the importance of comfort, quality, and safety, and that personal safety starts with the correct footwear.
Blundstone says footwear safety features to consider in rural environments include;
Toe protection: steel toe caps remain the safest option for cut resistance and rolling impacts. And moulded thermoplastic urethane (TPU) bump caps or kick guards act as the ultimate armour against scuffs and cuts that can impact leather safety boots - ideal when working with heavy tools and animals.
Water-resistance: water-resistant materials such as premium or nubuck leather perform well in wet and muddy conditions - perfect for use after heavy rainfall.
Slip-resistance: TPU outsoles designed with deep tread patterns offer excellent slip resistance for different terrains. Deeper tread patterns also provide improved resistance to hydrolysis and microbial attack, and oil, acid and organic fats.
Steel shank: positioned at the sole of the boot, this ensures correct step flex point and helps to distribute weight more evenly, assisting with skeletal stability.
Comfort: impact protection and superior comfort are critical to reducing the fatigue that can be the cause of workplace related injuries.
For more details on Safe Work Month, visit: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month
