Which is a criterion for inspecting safety shoes?

• A. Cracked / Worn uppers
• B. Holes in soles / Heels
• C. Separation of soles / uppers
• D. Broken buckles / laces

Answer: (B)

When inspecting safety shoes, the main thing you’re checking is whether the footwear still provides the protective function it’s designed for. Holes in the sole or heel directly threaten that protection. A hole can let water, chemicals, or debris enter, reduce puncture resistance, and compromise grip or stability. It also signals material fatigue that can lead to sudden, unexpected failure. Because this kind of damage most clearly and immediately defeats the purpose of the safety shoe, it’s the strongest indicator that the shoe should be taken out of service.

Cracked or worn uppers, separation of the sole from the upper, and broken buckles or laces are important wear signs too, but they don’t undermine the core protective function as directly as a hole in the sole or heel. They indicate usefulness concerns and fit issues that should be addressed, but a hole in the sole or heel best represents a loss of the shoe’s essential safety capability.