Abstract

Between 1991 and 1994, chainsaws were responsible for more than 700 accidents in Quebec, 75 of which resulted in foot injuries. The effectiveness of available protective footwear has not been uniformly evaluated. Using a method developed and validated by the IRSST, researchers verified the resistance to laceration of various models of boot used by forestry workers. The results indicate that boots made entirely of rubber offer better protection than those made of leather, regardless of whether these latter incorporate materials such as nylon or Kevlar TM. Differences in resistance were observed at both the leg and the protective toecap, the two areas evaluated. The research report includes tables comparing the resistance of each model of boot.