On construction sites in Dubai and industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi, work shoes are exposed to extreme conditions daily: temperatures of up to +50 °C, sand, construction dust, and petroleum products. Many employees follow a simple rule: if the shoes are not torn, they can continue to be worn.
This mistake causes 73% of injuries. Occupational safety specialists in Dubai note that hidden wear and tear can be much more dangerous than visible damage. Therefore, one of the main points of the PPE inspection checklist is to regularly check the condition of safety footwear and understand when to replace safety shoes.
5 signs of hidden wear and tear on work shoes
Even high-quality safety footwear, including models that comply with EN ISO 20345, loses its protective properties over time. Let’s look at the main signs that indicate the onset of work boot degradation.
- Loss of sole cushioning. PU or TPU material gradually wears down. Workers begin to feel more strain when walking, and pain in the knees and lower back appears.
- Microcracks on the sole. In hot conditions and when in contact with chemicals, the structure of the material can deteriorate from the inside. This reduces protection against oils and the risk of electric shock.
- Deformation of the protective toe cap. Even a slight displacement of the protective toe cap after an impact can reduce the level of protection in the event of a subsequent fall of an object onto the foot.
- Worn tread. When the tread depth is reduced to 2–3 mm, the shoes lose their grip on the surface, especially on oily surfaces.
- Wear and tear on the inner lining. In the hot climate of the Emirates, damaged linings and insoles create an environment for bacteria and fungal infections.
Understanding the lifespan of safety footwear helps companies replace safety shoes in the UAE in a timely manner and reduce production risks.
Diagnosing wear and tear on safety shoes: table for checking PPE
| Sign | Consequences | Recommendation |
| Protector wear | Sliding on oily surfaces | Replacement at a depth of < 2.5 mm |
| Odor / lining wear | Increase in bacteria and dermatitis | Replacement according to hygiene standards |
| Heel sinking | Back pain at the end of the shift | Use shoes with shock absorption |
A simple check of the items listed in the table helps to maintain proper maintenance of protective boots and identify wear and tear in a timely manner, reducing the risk of accidents in the workplace.
How TALAN technologies slow down shoe wear
The quality of work shoes directly depends on the manufacturing technology. That is why leading manufacturers pay special attention to design solutions. TALAN, operating since 1923, produces more than 3.5 million pairs of shoes annually for use in construction, energy, and industry. Modern models of TALAN safety footwear are created on robotic lines using direct sole molding technology from DESMA (Germany). This direct injection technology offers several important advantages:
- The sole is attached to the upper without glue.
- The design better withstands heat and mechanical stress.
- The risk of sole delamination is reduced.
Investments of more than $4.7 million in modern equipment enable products to remain compliant with European standards throughout their entire service life.
Local expertise: manufacturing in Ukraine and the UAE
The availability of production facilities in Ukraine and the UAE allows the company to test materials in real Middle Eastern conditions.
This practice is particularly important for regions where surface temperatures can exceed 60 °C. It helps to create high-quality safety footwear designed for long-term use in industrial environments.
In addition, this distribution of production capacity allows engineers to quickly adapt footwear designs to regional conditions, considering the effects of sand, high humidity, and contact with industrial oils. As a result, each new model is tested in laboratories and in real working environments, which increases the reliability of safety footwear in daily use at construction and industrial sites in the UAE.
When replacing shoes at the right time saves your health
Replacing safety shoes in a timely manner is not an additional expense but rather an element of competent safety management.
Regular audits of personal protective equipment every 6–12 months help reduce injuries and avoid excessive costs for employee treatment. For occupational safety specialists, this is a simple but effective tool for maintaining safety at construction and industrial sites.
In this context, the use of TALAN safety shoes, developed in accordance with European standards and designed for intensive use, becomes a practical and reliable solution for companies in the UAE.
