Why Getting the Right Mining Boots is Critical

For those working in the mining sector, getting the correct safety footwear is about so much more than just choosing a comfortable pair of boots.

From offshore gas exploration, to open pits, to deep underground, the Australian mining industry has a diverse range of job roles requiring many different types of fit-for-purpose safety boots. Environmental conditions also vary significantly: from wet and muddy underground mines to dusty and rocky open pits, all sites have distinct challenges that demand specialised safety gear.

Taking a one-size-fits-all approach could leave your team at risk, so it’s vital to ensure the boot matches the job, the environment, and the individual.

For an industry that prioritises safety and technology in its operations, miners often end up wearing uncomfortable or inappropriate footwear. For example, faced with eternally wet and boggy conditions, underground miners may resort to wearing gumboots which are far from ideal when it comes to fit, cushioning and shock absorption.

Blundstone’s Business Development Specialist, Steve Broadbent, has seen his fair share of tough site conditions. Steve recalls a comment from a miner at a longwall site in Queensland, who was thankful that his boots were not only comfortable for long days at work, but provided the right protection for working underground.

“The miner told me he walks around all day in 6 inches of water and sludge, on very uneven surfaces, so he needs a waterproof, supportive safety boot to handle those conditions. His Blundstone #980 specialist underground mining boots were doing an excellent job in this environment to keep the miner’s feet dry and his ankles supported.”

It’s not just workers on the front lines that need a tailored solution – any engineer, drill operator, truck driver or process operator needs safety footwear that suits their individual requirements. However, this vast range of work roles coupled with different environmental hazards in different areas can be a challenge for OH&S officers and procurement teams when outfitting their staff.

The solution is to find a comprehensive range of boots with tailored safety features, that are made from tough, battle-tested materials to protect in the most extreme environments.

Steve explains that Blundstone has long prioritised manufacturing and technological leadership, delivering specific features such as waterproofing, chemical resistance, heat resistance and slip resistance to meet the demands of various roles.

“The mining industry is evolving rapidly and Blundstone is prioritising innovation to ensure every worker is protected. Designed with advanced technology and tested for the harshest conditions, our mining safety footwear provides comfortable, supportive and lightweight protection for workers, and long-term value for procurement teams. This reduces overall PPE costs whilst keeping staff fully protected with the best safety footwear on the market,” adds Steve.

This long-term durability and comfort also heavily reduces worker fatigue and musculoskeletal foot pain. This is a positive for both the worker and the company’s bottom line: a comfortable, fit-for-purpose pair of boots can contribute to a reduction in lost work hours caused by lower limb pain, slips, trips and falls.

The all-purpose powerhouse of the RotoFlex range, the MAX #9099 combines style with top-tier safety. This boot features ultra water-repellent, AquaShield leather and a fully waterproof Sympatex membrane (bootie), designed to conquer any terrain and meet every challenge. A GripTek®MAX Sole, made from advanced Vibram Rubber TC4+, provides traction, protection and support and provides heat resistance to 300 ̊C. It is also fuel oil resistant and offers excellent abrasion, cut and slip resistance to keep your team safe on site.

The RotoFlex #9161 is packed from top to toe with premium comfort and safety. It is designed to provide protection in environments where there is potential for hazardous liquid chemical exposure. Offering excellent abrasion, cut and slip resistance, the GRIPTEK® XHD biomechanically engineered rubber (PUR) outsole is designed for optimum grip and stability, is heat resistant to 300 ̊C and is also fuel oil resistant. The #9161 is also tested for limited contact with common chemicals including Methanol (A), Dichloromethane (D), Sodium Hydroxide at 40% concentration (K) and Isopropanol (Q).

Both the #9099 and #9161 offer a FORTASHIELD broad fitting, cut-resistant steel toe cap, an AIRCELL zoned airflow footbed, and a SOFTCELL® comfort system to increase stability, balance, comfort and manoeuvrability.

With a legacy of crafting quality, safe footwear for more than a century and a half, Blundstone offers a wide range of high-quality Australian-designed safety boots to cover the diverse range of jobs in mining including, underground mining boots, waterproof boots, chemical-resistant boots, smelter boots and more.

To learn more about what Blundstone has on offer to protect you and your team, please reach out to our sales team here.