The survey results showed that safety shoe users prioritize price and quality equally and prefer S3 shoes that are waterproof and anti-slip. Over half replace their shoes once per year. Biggest area for improvement is lighter shoes. For future trends, users want more comfortable, orthopedic shoes tailored to individual sizes and widths. Around 60% involve producers directly or via distributors in development. Most are satisfied with distributors but some want more training options. Specialist health advice and an environmentally friendly producer are also important to users. The electronic report format was preferred for feedback.

1. Results of Safety Shoe Survey
conducted by ICC under
members of the “ Kring van
Veiligheids functionarissen
Rijnmond”
1/5/2014

2. Safety Shoe Survey under end users
• Part of a wider market research by ICC ( Website Producer ) in the Rijnmond area :
Presentation Kring Veiligheids functionarissen
• Objective : (1) identify current improvement potential ; (2) future trends and (3)
information/experience exchange (a) in between end users and (b) with producer.
• Electronic Survey ( on Google drive) and developed with EMO.
• Orientation/introductory presentation in circle of R’dam Safety Experts.
• Tested the Survey with 4 members of the Circle.
• Survey distributed under in total 90 different Companies representing a wide variety of
industries ( incl. some from the public sector).
• 28 closed (multiple choice) and open questions.
• Participants asked to weigh questions and complete Survey within 3 weeks
• Focused on (1) safety/purchasing officers and (2) work floor users.
• Questions categorized around 4 Theme’s :
- Product Specific
- Development and trends
- Distribution
- Services
Link to Survey
•
•

3. Main Conclusions
Ø 23 responses = 25 % ; from at least 7 industrial sectors : Representative.
Ø Price <-> quality mostly given equal importance
Ø > 35 % : S3 ; > 20 % anti-slip. Replacement frequency mostly 1 x year ( +/- 50 %)
Ø Biggest area for improvement now : lighter shoes
20 % indicated : “ other” improvements -> further analysis needed.
Ø Development/Trends : most important areas for future focus : Comfort increase- pro-active orthopedic
solutions and more tailoring on sizes /width.
Ø Around 60 % involve producer direct in developments or via distributor – 40 % only relies on distributor.
Ø Around 50 % require minimum EN norm/CN marking ; < 10 % ISO 9000.
Ø Around 1/3 involve distributor (in)directly in training ; however 1/3 wants training but is not offered .
Ø Service : most important is medical advice in problem cases ; also : blog , contact person at producer and
energy/environmental efficient manufacturing
Ø In general high degree of satisfaction with current distributors.
Ø Little or no desire to be contacted in relation to completed Survey and preferred mode of feedback ( 2/3
participants ) now : Electronic report .

4. Product Specific

5. S1 (protection noose)
S3 (protection noose,sole and water proof)
Waterproof
Antistatic
Other
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Minimum Requirements
90 % of respondents found this question : (very) important
Respons
80% / 20% 50% / 50% 20% / 80% Other
Price/Quality
Balance
83 % (less) important

6. Maritime 22%
Dry bulk 14%
Wet bulk 8%
Chemical 14%
Oil 8%
Container 19%
Other 16%
1x two year 22%
1x year 52%
2x year 17%
Other 9%
Replacement Frequency
Industry sector
82 % (very) important
91 % (less) important

7. Development & Trends

8. Protection against cold feet 12%
Protection against wet or cold feet. 7%
Good support of ankle 7%
Durability and lifetime schoe 10%
Modern models 10%
Light models 24%
Flexibility with kneeling/crawling 10%
Other 20%
Which requirements are now not satisfied
71 % (less) important

9. 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 Aging user population is playing an
increasingly more important role in PBM
selection.
It is unlikely that in future there will be
demand for lady models within our
organisation
Pro-active orthopedic solutions ( for example
pronation compensation) will improve work
circumstances and reduce changes of injuries.
There is an increasing demand for comfort
improving measures
In future more tailoring/adaption of shoes is
required
Shape and color(patterns) hardly play a role in
the decision making process
Degree of Agreement under respondents
Eliminate
Adopt
Analyze &
Eliminate
Analyze & Adopt
Degree of Importance
Development & Trends

10. Distribution

11. 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
PBM producer is pro-active and closely
involved with the developments at the
end-user.
There is need for a large degree of
centralisation when purchasing
Decentralization when pruschsing PBM
offers more opportunities to meet our
wishes.
Importance
Agreement
43 % Producer not involved – distributor knows enough
56 % Producer is involved directly or via distributor

12. Services

13. 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100 No need for a contact person at our
PBM manufacturer. Our distributor
fulfills this role.
We are satisfied with the service of our
distributor
A recycle scheme for used shoes counts
in our purchase decision process
Demonstrable energy/environmental
efficient production processes do not or
hardly play a role in our purchase
decision process.
A blog where safety experts/users and
manufacturer interchange
opinions/information for the
development of PBM has added value
Secialist safety/health advice for
particular cases is essential.
A yearly workplace visit of a
Safety/Health advisor from the
manufacturer has little or no added
value.
Agreement
Importance
Eliminate
Adopt
Analyze &
Eliminate
Analyze & Adopt

14. ISO-9001 (manufacturing processes) 6%
EN-norm (product norm) 23%
CE-marking (EN approval) 26% PPE Category I: Personal protection Equipment for low risks. 8%
PPE Category 2: for medium-high risks 15%
PPE Category 3: High risks 21%
Other 2%
Required Norm/certification
Not necessary - our people know enough
Own trainers
Own trainers with experts from distributor
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Product Training

15. Survey related

16. Yes 20%
No 72%
Other 8%
Willingness to be contacted in relation to completed survey
32%
68%
Survey feedback
Appreciate an
interactive results
feedback session(mini-
symposium)
An electronic report is
sufficient

17. Comments/Suggestions by participants
Quotes :
• A “ fast” shoe is the most important.
• Good fit is important and therefore availability of wider shoes
and increasing sizes with ½ sizes.( left – right difference)
• Firm, meet requirements but in particular as light as possible.
• Weight of the shoes also plays a big role.
• There is a lot of walking so the shoe needs to be light ,
watertight and comfortable.
• Reflective marking on the shoe.
• Our distributor offers our people a wide choice between
producers and they can select the shoe that aligns best
with their personal preferences ( provided it meets the
minimum standard.
• Visits to the producer are useful.
•