How To Choose A Shoe Cover
Disposable shoe covers are worn to control foot borne contamination in an environment. Hospitals are perhaps the best know work place where shoe covers are worn, but many other work places such as laboratories, nurseries, quarantine facilities and paint shops also require the use of disposable shoe covers.
Choosing a shoe cover made from the most suitable material for a work place depends on the slip resistance and durability of the material and, if they are to be worn in a wet environment, how much moisture they will absorb.
Disposable shoe covers are available in a range of colours and sizes. It is important that the size of the shoe cover is comparable to the shoe size of the wearer. Shoe covers that are too small may not adequately cover the footwear, increasing the possibility of foot borne contamination. Wearing a shoe cover that is too large increases the risk of the wearer tripping.
The most common materials used in the manufacture of disposable shoe covers are polypropylene and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). Even though these options give the end user considerable choice, there is often confusion about the advantages and disadvantages of these materials and their suitability in different work environments.
Below is a description of the two most common materials used in the manufacture of disposable shoe covers. These materials differ in their durability and the level of slip resistance and waterproofing they provide.
Disposable Shoe Covers Made Of Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a spunbonded, non-woven material. It’s available in different thicknesses and quoted in grams per square metre (gsm) – the higher the gsm value, the thicker the material. Polypropylene tears easily so it is not the material of choice for a shoe cover worn in an area that has a rough walking surface. Shoe covers made from polypropylene are not ideal for use in a critical clean air environment as the air bourne contamination created by microscopic particles shed from the material can disrupt delicate precision equipment.
The smooth surface of polypropylene provides very little grip for a shoe cover worn on slippery floor surfaces. This slip hazard can be overcome by wearing a polypropylene shoe cover that has a painted tread on the sole, known as an anti-skid sole.
Polypropylene is not waterproof and absorbs moisture readily. If a shoe cover is to be worn in a wet environment, wearing a plastic option (see Disposable Shoe Covers Made Of CPE below) is a better choice.
Polypropylene shoe covers are also available with a polyethylene coating. This creates a more durable shoe cover and gives some protection against the moisture absorbing property of the polypropylene. However, because polypropylene and polyethylene have different material strengths, this type of shoe cover can delaminate during extended wear.
Disposable Shoe Covers Made Of Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)
CPE is a plastic material and available in different thickness, quoted in mm – the thicker the material, the stronger it is. CPE is waterproof and an ideal material for shoe covers worn in a wet environment. A seamless bottom and heat sealed seams enhance the watertightness of these shoe covers. CPE is a strong, durable material and does not break down easily when exposed to rough floor surfaces. It does not shed particles, like polypropylene does, so CPE shoe covers can be worn in critical clean air environments where air borne contamination must be kept to a minimum.
Final Thoughts
There are several factors to consider when choosing the appropriate disposable shoe cover for a workplace. Do you need a shoe cover that provides slip resistance? Is the workplace floor rough and a strong durable shoe cover would best suit your needs? Do you work in a wet environment and a waterproof shoe cover would be appropriate? Is your workplace a critical clean air environment and air borne contamination must be kept to a minimum? The disposable shoe cover you choose must eliminate foot borne contamination in the workplace, while providing the safest and most appropriate option for the wearer.
