Terminology
Safety & Personnel Terminology
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
Chevron: Sole design that looks like a tire tread.
Chevron Plus: Sole design that spits out debris, providing excellent traction & increased wearability.
Cleated: Sole looks like tractor tire tread. Most open design. Use when floors have a lot of product on them. Good for outdoor use.
Ergonomics: The science of adapting work and working conditions to the worker.
FDA: Federal Food & Drug Administration
HACCP: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points
Injection-Molded (boots): Machine made. The material of the upper is permanently fused to the sole material.
Kevlar: Cut-resistant fiber known for high strength and heat resistance. Not for abrasive situations. Not bleachable.
Latex: Latex rubber provides good chemical and cut resistance. May cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Neo-Grip: Has tight sole pattern like deck shoes. Best slip resistance on wet, clean floors.
Neoprene: Better chemical resistance than nitrile, but its puncture, snag & abrasion resistance is not as good. Good resistance to animal fats, oils & acids.
Nitrile: Synthetic rubber polymer. Offers greater chemical, abrasion & puncture resistance than natural latex. Excellent resistance to snags, punctures, abrasions, and cuts.
NRR: Noise Reduction Rating. A higher number offers more hearing protection.
OSHA: Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Polyethylene: Also Poly or PE. Offers the most economical protection in disposable gloves and apparel.
PVC: Polyvinylchloride
Safety-Loc: Sole design has a tight pattern of solid circles, like deck shoes. It gives the best slip resistance on wet, clean floors.
Spectra: A cut-resistant fiber that offers excellent abrasion resistance. Bleachable.
Spunbonded: Generic polypropylene material that is very economical and breathable.
Tyvek: Registered trademark of DuPont, is a patented, non-woven material made from heat and pressure bonded polyolefin fibers. Liquid repellent, but not waterproof.
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
Vinyl: Thermoplastic that offers excellent chemical and abrasion resistance.