Terra Innovation Centre

Safety

Terra operates and maintains its own CSA testing facility at its head office in Cambridge, Ontario where we rigorously test every boot that hits the design table. All Terra boots are tested to meet or exceed CSA and ASTM standards .

Toe Protection

Although traditionally made of steel, reinforced safety toe caps can also be made of composite, metal free materials. Occupational health and safety increasingly requires the use of such boots in a variety of job settings.

In Canada, certified boots have a CSA green triangle or blue rectangle on them. The toe cap must withstand an impact of at least 125 Joules to pass CSA certification, regardless of the material composition. Composite toe caps pass all of the same certifications as steel.

Steel toe caps are still used in a wide variety of footwear however different alloys and materials offer some advantages. Aluminum alloys are lighter weight than steel, conduct less heat and cold and still provide the same safety and impact protection. Composite or Metal Free toe caps are lighter still, usually comprised of proprietary materials. These caps do not transfer heat or cold in the same fashion metal would, they also avoid tripping metal detectors, but offer the same protection and pass the same tests as their metal counterparts.

TERRA FIRMA-FLEX® – TERRA’s trademark lightweight metal free technology delivers high performance protection. This revolutionary combination of super-weaved high tensile fabric and resilient polymer compounds create a formidable toe cap. The sole plate, constructed of laminated layers of the same composite is on average 20% more resistant than traditional steel plates. Better still, the new TERRA ELITE offers two extra layers of puncture protection, embedded in the midsole of the boot, as well as 45% larger surface coverage than any other work boot on the market.

Slip Resistance

33% of workplace injuries in the oil and gas industry have been attributed to slips and falls. This number is rising as the number of jobs in hazardous, slick conditions increase.

Tread design and sole composition play a major role in determining the slip resistance of a boot. A great many environmental factors need to be considered when looking for slip resistance in footwear however. Working conditions, floor composition and chemical composition will all affect how footwear performs.

Terra Safety Slip Resistance

Surface Friction

The surface being worked on, and whether it is smooth, coarse, sharp or gritty all contribute and are mitigating factors in the slip resistance of a boot. Rough, sharp surfaces such as metal gratings require a harder soling material in order to withstand wear, however a degree of softness is necessary to grip the ground and provide adequate slip resistance.

Surface Moisture

Overly wet conditions on the surface will negatively impact slip resistance. Tread patterns with sharp points and high surface area may be designed to combat these specific circumstances.

Chemicals

Much like wet surfaces, oily or chemically compromised surfaces will lower the slip resistance of a material. Oil and acid resistant soling materials should be considered, as well as tread designs with high surface contact to maximize slip resistance.

Working Temperature

Working Temperature – Whether the surface is covered in ice, or is red hot, temperature will play a part in dictating the materials chosen for the outsole, and thus contribute to its slip resistance. Colder temperatures tend to cause materials to harden up, reducing its ability to grip the surface and lowering overall slip resistance. Special compounds and additives can be applied to soling materials to increase their operating temperature.

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