DEPENDING ON YOUR ENVIRONMENT, DISPOSABLE SHOE COVERS ARE ESSENTIAL AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED MANDATORY. LEARN ALL ABOUT DISPOSABLE SHOE COVERS IN THIS GUIDE.

You need disposable shoe covers for many industries and applications. From packing dirty shoes into your luggage to being worn in environments meant to stay clean, learn just why they’re necessary, and where to find the best. 

WHAT ARE DISPOSABLE SHOE COVERS? 

Protective shoe covers are necessary for many applications. They help keep you from bringing dirt and germs into a clean space, and that space could be a home, office, hospital, or factory.

Disposable shoe covers cover your feet and shoes snugly. They have an elastic band at the top to keep environments dirt-free and clean. They are made with polyethylene.

They are usually white or blue, and some come with a non-slip grip bottom. Shoe covers are one size fits all, but they sometimes include sizes, like small to large. 

SHOE COVERS FOR THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY

In the operating room, shoe covers help protect the patient and keep them from harm in surgery from any contaminants in the room. For medical professionals, disposable shoe covers ensure that no biohazardous materials were taken from outside the clean operating room. 

Sometimes, visitors from outside the hospital will need to wear shoe covers. This includes during a C-section birth, with people with serious illnesses such as an HIV infection or any problems with their immune system, and heart issues. 

SHOE COVERS FOR THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Surprisingly, the real estate agent needs disposable shoe covers. They have many open houses, and these houses have been renovated, cleaned and staged for the purpose of showing the home in its absolute best light. 

However, tracking dirt through the floor and constantly sweeping or vacuuming it away isn’t a great use of a realtor’s time. To combat dirt and grime, realtors can set the shoe covers in an attractive basket or bin for visitors to put on without having to take off their shoes. 

SHOE COVERS FOR TRAVELING

Many people travel with many pairs of shoes, but putting them back in the suitcase to cover your clothes and toiletries in the dirt isn’t a great idea. Disposable shoe covers are often used to cover dirty shoes in order to keep them clean inside the luggage.

SHOE COVERS FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Having protective clothing items for the is absolutely necessary for the food industry. Uniforms are imperative for employees on the floor for preventing cross-contamination and to keep production running smoothly.

PROS AND CONS OF SHOE COVERS 

The pros of disposable shoe covers are extensive. Many come in bulk quantities that are large enough for multiple people and those quantities are a convenient way to ensure there’s a size for everyone. 

Moreover, they’re simple and easy to fit over any size or shape of the shoe, and some brands can be used more than once before you need to throw them away. For surfaces such as tile in hospital settings or the food industry, there are non-slip designs for extra safety. 

There are still a few cons to disposable shoe covers that should be noted. In the long run, they become more expensive than reusable shoe covers but are more convenient. 

If you don’t get the proper size for your foot and shoe, it could be a tripping hazard. And since they don’t tolerate moisture well, they’re more likely to rip or tear when they’re wet. 

However, taking into account how often you’ll need shoe covers and their ease of use, it’s important to take into account the pros as well as the cons and weigh what is more important to you and your business! Contact xtnu safety to inquire about our industrial grade shoe covers. 

REPERCUSSIONS FOR NOT WEARING PPE

PPE stands for personal protective equipment. This includes gowns, gloves, eyes covers, and shoe covers. When an employee refuses to wear PPE, this has the potential of leading to near catastrophic results for the individual and even the company. 

Depending on the industry and environment, employees are at risk of: 

• Impacts and collisions

• Cuts and punctures

• Chemical burns

• Electric shocks

• Exposure to excessive noise or vibration

• Breathing contaminated air

• Struck by falling objects

For disposable shoe covers, in particular, there is a risk of chemicals getting on shoes and clothing and dirt from the outside contaminating the area if they are not worn. 

Your business could face legal action if an employee has a work-related injury or illness due to not wearing PPE. Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, the employer must assume responsibility to get employees to wear PPE, even though that may be challenging.

Make sure you communicate with your employees why PPE is necessary and the risks associated if they do not work. However, there are a few legitimate reasons why an employee can choose not to wear their PPE: 

• A medical condition which makes it harmful or comfortable to wear PPE

• Ill-fitting PPE that compromises their safety

• Sikhs who wear turbans don’t need to wear head protection when working on construction sites

HOW TO HELP EMPLOYEES USE PPE

There are several ways you can convince your employees to regularly use their PPE and shoe covers. First is to let them choose their own PPE, as that makes them more likely to wear it. Have a catalog handy so this becomes easy to do. 

Communicate with your employees in a friendly way, ensuring that they know PPE is for their benefit as well as for the companies. Don’t order them around and refuse to explain to them why it’s necessary.

Lead by example and wear the PPE yourself; this will contribute in a healthy way to the workplace culture. Lastly, leave time for regular training so that employees are reminded just why their PPE is necessary and beneficial.