How Steel Blue goes above and beyond on safety and quality

• Every work boot Steel Blue designs must meet at least one recognised safety certification across Australian, European, and American standards
• We rigorously test our boots for impact resistance, compression, slip protection, abrasion, and more
• Our quality assurance program is based on ISO 9001 principles, ensuring the safety and protection of the people all over the world who wear our boots.

As every tradie knows, you don’t compromise on safety.

It’s a philosophy the team at Steel Blue understands and takes seriously, too.

According to Rob de Barro, Steel Blue’s Head of Research and Development, safety has been deeply embedded into the entire design and manufacturing process of all our work boots since 1995.

“We don’t make a single boot that doesn’t meet at least one safety standard certification—even our non-safety boots,” Rob said.

“We believe in the difference between ‘job done’ and ‘the best there can be’, and our commitment to quality is a commitment to continue leading the way in innovation, with a focus on premium quality and excellence in design.”

Going beyond the standard

The key standards Steel Blue’s safety work boots are designed to meet are the Australian and New Zealand AS 2210.3, the European EN ISO 20345, and America’s ASTM F2413. Our soft toe (non-steel cap) boots comply with Australian and NZ standard AS2210.5, Europe’s EN ISO 20347 and the American ASTM F2892 standard. Meeting all three standards means Steel Blue boots are the same high quality the world over.

Rigorous testing

But earning these certifications isn’t just a case of submitting some paperwork. The boots go through a gauntlet of tests based on each specific standard. One boot from every 1,000 produced will be put through tests and checks for things like impact, compression, abrasion, antistatic and penetration resistance. If any boots fail, the Steel Blue quality assurance team will investigate and fix the problem before that batch of boots can be certified.

Steel Blue also uses independent auditors to assess our boots and inspect our manufacturing facilities to ensure quality systems are being followed. Rob said even a small component change, like using a new leather supplier, requires retesting and recertification.

Quality assurance

“Our quality assurance program is based on ISO 9001 principles and shaped specifically for footwear production,” he said. “The auditors come once a year to make sure we’re following the program correctly. And the standards don’t last forever. We have to completely retest our ranges for full recertification every four to five years.”

Rob said for Steel Blue customers the rigorous testing means they can feel confident they are getting safety boots that will keep them safe at work, protecting them from hazards like impacts, compression, heat, and electrical dangers.

Head to your local Steel Blue stockist to discover work boots that are a mark of true skill, or shop online.