Tag Archives: SR Max

Steps for Launching a Successful Slip Resistant Shoe Program

Five Steps for Launching a Successful Corporate Shoe Program

If you’re thinking about starting a corporate shoe program for your company, you’re smarter than people think. A corporate shoe program is a great way to keep employees safe and happy.

 These programs allow employees to pick the style and color of their pair of slip-resistant shoes, and they prevent accidents from happening in the workplace. That means a reduction in the volume of workers compensation claims, and fewer lost days from work due to an accident.

That’s a whole lot of winning right there! Now that you understand why these programs are so great, here’s five steps to get a corporate shoe program started for your company:

1. There’s a form to fill out

You’ll need to fill out our (very simple) ‘Start a Program’ form found here. After we receive your form, an SR Max® representative will contact you within two days to complete the account set-up process. If we need any additional information like banking or credit references, we’ll get that from you at this time.

We’ll also set up the process for your associates to order directly or through a coordinator at your office. We want to make this as easy as possible for you. The only stress should be on your feet, and even that will be gone after your new slip-resistant shoes arrive!

2. Give us the ‘deets’

We’ll need to know the specific needs of your shoe program. For example: does your company or industry require slip-resistant shoes? Or are you just doing this because you’re super smart? Do you want only slip-resistant shoes made available to employees? Which of our many colors and styles would you like to make available to your employees?

Now is also the time to tell us about the job duties your employees perform daily. We can recommend the shoes that make the best fit for your company.

3. Configure your payroll deduction

Typically for payroll deduction orders, you’ll need the employees: 

  • First and last name
  • Employee ID
  • Store location or department
  • Style number
  • Size and width of the shoe that they wish to purchase

Orders can come through your management team or directly from your associates. That decision is entirely up to you. Orders may be placed online at www.srmax.com using your SR Max® account number, or they may be called into SR Max® toll-free at (877) 776-2933.

If you do decide that you want all orders to go through your management team, SR Max® can provide order forms for your associates to fill out and submit to management. 

4. This program isn’t just for you

No one creates a corporate shoe program for only one person. That would be weird. So let people know about your new program! Our team at SR Max® can help create break room posters, catalogs, and online ordering options so that you can spread the word.

Here’s a helpful tip: include information about your corporate shoe program in any new hire packet. You alone are not a corporation, so make sure that your corporate shoe program is successful by letting your company know about it.

5. Kick back and wait for the shoes

Unfortunately, we don’t have the technology to beam your shoes to you instantly. However, once your employees’ order has been processed, the shoes will ship out to your facility manager or associate. For online orders, you will receive an automated summary of the order, as well as an e-mailed shipping confirmation from UPS once the shoes are on their way.

Congratulations! You’ve created a successful shoe program. Enjoy the safety and style that your employees will now have while you save the company money with the payroll deduction plan.

Are you ready to start a program with us, or want more information? Check us out at www.srmax.com to learn more!

12 Safety Tips For Any Industry

Warehouses, foundries, construction sites and factories can be some of the most dangerous places to work when it comes to accidents and injury: large and moving machinery such as forklifts, carrying heavy loads such as pallets and heavy equipment can be hazardous for you and your workers.

Check out our 12 Tips for Safety and get inspired to help make you safer and more productive at work:

1. Know your safety protocols– Make sure emergency exits are clearly marked and you know the quickest route to safety from any location in the facility. In addition to knowing where your emergency exits are located, it is important to know where first-aid kits and supplies are kept. In an emergency, you don’t want to be faced with the task of locating the first aid kit.

 2. Perfect Posture – If you work at a desk, make sure that your shoulders are in line with your hips to avoid back problems. When picking things up, use correct form so your back doesn’t get hurt, and whatever you do, avoid stooping and twisting. If you have access to ergonomically designed furniture and safety equipment so that everything you need is comfortably within reach.

3. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings – This tip requires that you first know what particular hazards your job or workplace can entail. Once you’ve learned about the risks, you will be able to steer clear of any potentially hazardous areas or situations.

4. Take regular breaks – There are many work-related injuries and illnesses that occur because of fatigue. Taking regular breaks helps you stay fresh and alert on the job. One useful tip for staying alert is to schedule the most difficult tasks when your concentration is at it’s best, like first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon depending on your own workflow.

5. Report Unsafe Conditions to Your Supervisor – It’s your job to make sure that your work environment stays safe for you and your fellow employees. It’s your supervisor’s job to provide you with the resources and materials to make that happen. They need to be informed about any workplace safety hazards or risks. Your supervisor is legally obligated to ensure that employees have a safe working environment. Help keep them informed and keep your work environment safe!

6. Keep Emergency Exits Easily Accessible – Quick, easy access to exits are necessary for any work environment. Keep the pathways to these exits clear and free of debris in order to ensure a quick and hasty escape, should you need one. It’s also recommended to keep clear access to equipment shutoffs in case you need to quickly stop them from functioning.

7. Don’t Try to Impress – We can’t stress this enough, use mechanical aids whenever possible. If you are faced with lifting and moving heavy objects all day long, don’t try and show off in front of your coworkers by lifting heavy materials improperly, or by trying to lift something that you shouldn’t be lifting in the first place. Use the dollies, forklifts and hand trucks that you have available to make your job easier and prevent injuries. Also remember to wear protective clothing including hard hats, gloves, vests, masks, belts, eyewear and proper safety footwear.

 8. Reduce stress in the workplace – Stress can lead to depression and concentration problems. Common causes of workplace stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with coworkers or managers. Take your concerns about workplace stress to your supervisor to see how they might help you address them.

9. Dress for Safety and Success– Avoid wearing baggy or excessively loose-fitting clothing. As with any job, it is important to dress the part. That means wearing comfortable clothing that is not too baggy. This will help protect you from getting caught anything that might be on the side of your path or line of walking. Proper slip resistant footwear is also important in your line of work.

 10. Use Tools and Machines Properly – Take the proper precautions when using tools, and never take shortcuts. Taking shortcuts is the leading cause of workplace injury. It’s a huge safety risk to use scaffolding as a ladder or one tool in place of another for a specific job. Using tools the right way greatly reduces the chance of workplace injury.

11. Stay Sober–  This one seems like a no-brainer, yet around three percent of workplace fatalities occur due to alcohol and drugs. When a worker’s ability to exercise judgment, coordination, motor control, concentration or alertness is compromised, this leads to any number of risks for workplace injury and fatalities.

12. Keep the Lines of Communication Open – It’s important to be aware of the government and company safety regulations that your company and industry need to abide by. However, it is just as important to create and foster clear lines of communication when it comes to the details surrounding the implementation of these rules and regulations within your company. This includes taking the time to properly train new hires, as well as communicate up to date information regarding safety protocols and plans of action.

Hopefully, the 12 Tips for Safety gave you some ideas and inspiration on how to improve your own company’s safety culture. For more tips, tricks, and other questions check us out at www.srmax.com

Top Safety Tips for Cafeteria Workers

Article by Lindsay Cleghorn

Go back to school… accident free!

Back to school isn’t just for the kiddos. For the past month or so, Cafeteria workers have also been heading back to school to serve hundreds upon thousands of students every day. And just like any other kitchen, cafeterias can be full of hazards if you aren’t paying attention. Check out these tips to keep yourself and coworkers safe in the kitchen this school year:

Avoid the Slick Spots:

DON’T Feel the Burn

  • Always use proper protection for hot items such as oven mitts, hot pads, utensils,  and heat resistant gloves as your first line of defense against burns.
  • When preparing food always stand away from steamy items such as pots and pans, or items in microwaveable packaging such as steam bags for vegetables, and never drop food directly into a fryer, avoid any oil splatters by carefully placing the items in the hot oil with a slotted spoon.
  • Another key tip is to avoid overfilling pots, this prevents any hot liquid from boiling over the sides.

Cut it Out  

  • In order to avoid any cuts or scrapes, try cutting away from your body while using a stabilized cutting surface such as a cutting board when chopping something. Waiting until food is completely thawed before cutting into it will also help prevent cuts due to the fact that there will be less of a struggle to get the knife through the food.
  • Only use a knife for its intended purpose… that means you too, knife wielders.
  • Last but not least, this one seems pretty obvious, but we’ll go ahead and say it anyway. DON’T try and catch falling knives. The chances of you catching it in a way that doesn’t lead to an injury are slim to none. Even though it means taking yet another object to the dishwasher, it’s better than losing a digit due to a knee-jerk reaction.   

These are just a few basic tips to help keep you safe on the job. If you want to take it a step further, check out this blog on safety tips you can implement today, or learn more about starting your own shoe program.

 

Interested in learning even more? Visit us online at srmax.com today!

 

We’re Looking for a Workplace Hero

Calling all Workplace Heroes!

Workplace Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes, but what’s the one thing they all have in common? Their ability to get the job done and make their workplace a happier, more productive, and more efficient place to be, day in and day out.

I am Ashely – Answer Woman! Whenever someone around the office has a question, you can count on Answer Woman to find your answer! It is rumored that she is magic because with a wave of her finger, things seem to magically work. Just start asking a question and Answer Woman will appear! – Ashley P., Bilingual Customer Service Lead

Being a Workplace Hero is all about having confidence and taking action. It’s about being the one who puts forth the effort. It’s about being the one who tries and does. SR Max® provides that same kind of confidence through the safe, secure feeling in our shoes and products that let you be your most confident no matter what.

Safe and secure footing helps you to feel confident, allowing you to get your work done, and be the outstanding employee you’ve always wanted to be and more importantly, that your employers need you to be.

Workplace Hero confidence enables you to try things that you normally wouldn’t think possible. It allows you to learn from your mistakes and try again with the same amount of enthusiasm. To think outside the box. Be creative. Be productive. Go above and beyond.

It is this type of confidence that makes YOU a Workplace Hero.

Here’s your chance to shine and show us what makes you a hero in the workplace!

 

As of July 10th, we have officially launched our #workplaceherocontest on Facebook and Instagram.

We want to know what your workplace superpower is. Whether it’s your ability to complete daily tasks on time, solve problems, or simply put a smile on someone’s face, we’re curious.

Want to enter?

Just take a picture or create an approximately 30 second long video showing us what makes YOU a Workplace Hero. Post your submission to your personal Facebook or Instagram account by Monday, August 21st with the hashtag #workplaceherocontest for a chance to win a $300, $100, or $50 Amazon gift card. Winners will be announced on Monday, August 31st.

“I’m a Workplace Hero when I’m leading the Marketing Team and helping the Customer Service and Sales folks to shine!” – Sheri F., Corporate Marketing Manager 

Your entries will be judged by the SR Max® owners in a confidential vote based on originality, creativity, humor, and relevance to the topic. Spoiler alert: all entries must be work appropriate and accompanied by a brief written explanation of how the image portrays you as a Workplace Hero.

 

All participants must be 18 years of age or older on July 10th, 2017 and limit one (1) entry per person.

So what are you doing still reading this? Act fast and get to work on your submission, time’s running out!

For more details about the contest, click here. For more information on our products and services, please visit us at srmax.com.

The Most Commonly Slipped on Surfaces

Slippery Floor with Mop

Despite the preventative measures your company takes and the safety regulations they have in place, workplace accidents will still happen.

Knowing what types of surfaces can become the most slippery can help create awareness and allow you to pay closer attention to your surroundings while you’re on the job. Here are some of the most commonly slipped on surfaces, and a few preventative measures that you can take to stop slips before they happen.

What is a “Slip”?

We all know what a “slip” is, but why do they happen? A “slip” occurs when there isn’t enough traction or friction between the shoes and the walking surface.

When walking, you need friction between your shoes and the surface you are walking on in order to move forward and get around. When there’s a lack of friction, slips happen.

Wet or Dry, You’re Still at Risk

It’s no surprise that wet tile, laminate, and hard wood floors are a major cause for accidents in the workplace, but did you know that polished floors such as marble or ceramic tile can be extremely slippery even when they’re dry?

Materials such as dusts, powders, granules, and plastic wrapping are all examples of dry, slippery substances to keep an eye out for and be aware of.

Don’t Get Caught Slippin’

If you see a spill or slippery spot, first take the time to make it clear that the area is wet. “Wet floor” signs or caution cones are a great way to notify your coworkers. If something has been spilled, clean it up appropriately. It is better to get the spill cleared as soon as possible, as it lessens the chance for a slip and fall accident to occur.

In order to prevent slips from happening on a dry surface, make sure that you are sweeping and dusting the floor on a regular basis. This will prevent any buildup of dust and other fine substances from settling on the floor.

 

Curious about the proper way to clean up a spill and what slip resistant shoes we offer? Learn more at srmax.com

 

When Should You Replace Your Work Shoes?

So far you’ve been able to collect vital information from our blog on how to choose and clean your work shoes. But what happens when you’ve had your work shoes for years and they have lasted you countless shifts and they are slowly telling you that they’re ready for retirement?

Now, some people may go to the extremes of turning their work shoes into a D.I.Y. project and try and repair the shoes themselves. Is this a way to save money? Well sure, but will this improve your safety while on the job?

Absolutely not! It is a better idea to assess what you may need in your next work shoe and invest in a quality pair of shoes that will be able to do the job, while you’re on the job! Here are a few things that will let you know, without a doubt, that it’s time for a brand new pair of work shoes!

check your tiresCheck Your Tires

The tires of your car are one of the most important things to check on a regular basis. Why? Because they make sure our cars can get from place to place safely. The outsole of your work shoe functions the same way.

The outsole of your shoe assures that you can do your job quickly and effectively, without any accidents. If you see the outsole is worn down, then it may be time for a pair of new shoes.

Don’t Let Your Shoe “Talk”

talking shoes

The outsole of your shoe starts to separate from the upper, we refer to this as “talking”. Any sign of your shoes starting to separate is an apparent sign that it is time to invest in a new pair of work shoes. Not only can this look bad in your place of work, but it can also be very dangerous in a fast paced environment.

Do Your Soles Have Holes?  

Holey shoesUnder no circumstance shoe your shoe be “hole-y”! This is not only an unappealing issue, but it is also a safety issue. Depending on your work environment, small holes could quickly turn into big holes and leave you in a very unsafe situation. It’s important when you notice your shoe is worn in this way, that you work quickly to replace them.

You’ll Have to Replace Them Eventually 

There’s no hard and fast rule about the age of slip resistant shoes or how often you should buy new ones. Depending on your work environment, your shoes could last shorter or longer. Generally, slip resistant shoes will last between six and twelve months in the average work environment. Some may last longer, some not as long. Every pair of shoes has to be replaced eventually.

If you realize that you are running into these issues with your work shoes, then head over to the srmax.com website and see what shoes may be best for your industry.

What Makes A Shoe Slip Resistant?

Article by Brinklee Bailey

I was having a conversation with a gentleman on Twitter the other day when he Tweeted: “Almost all Nike’s are slip resistant”. This makes sense, right? After all, basketball players don’t want to slip on hardwood floors, so they must wear slip resistant shoes, right?

Wrong.

There are several factors and tests that go into making a great slip resistant work shoe. The distinguishing features of a slip resistant shoe are the outsole design, tread pattern, and material used in the outsole. Here’s a breakdown of what separates a slip resistant shoe from a regular shoe.

Material

The outsole is more commonly referred to as the “sole” of the shoe, but to avoid confusion with the insole and midsole, the outsole is the part of the shoe that comes in direct contact with the ground. A slip resistant outsole is softer, and made of rubber that is more slip resistant when exposed to water and oil than other outsole compounds.

This softer rubber outsole means that a slip resistant shoe can more effectively grip a slick floor. This means even on quarry tile or hardwood or linoleum flooring, a slip resistant shoe will be able to grab hold whereas a shoe with a harder, stiffer outsole would not be able to.

SR Max <sup>®</sup> Rialto Outsole

SR Max® Rialto Outsole

Design

Now, you may be wondering about a basketball shoe, designed to work on hardwood courts. Wouldn’t that also grip well on slicker flooring? Yes, if it was dry. But athletic shoes are not tested or designed to work in wet or oily conditions.

If you’ve ever played or watched basketball, you know that when liquid gets on the court, serious injuries can occur due to slippage. The National Basketball Association even employs people whose only job is quickly wipe up sweat and water from the floor to keep it clean.

Nike Basketball Shoe

Nike Basketball Shoes

If you’re using a shoe with an enclosed tread pattern (see above), there is no place for the liquid to go. It gets trapped under your shoe and forms a barrier between your shoe and the floor, similar to a car hydroplaning, sliding on top of the water without getting a grip on the road.

So what’s the solution? Slip resistant shoes feature an interlocked tread pattern that doesn’t close the water in, so that it is channeled away from your foot, allowing the slip resistant sole to contact the floor and provide better slip resistance.

MaxTrax Outsole Illustration

A good slip resistant shoe will also provide more surface contact with the tread pattern. Why? If the tread pattern and outsole material is designed to be slip resistant, it only makes sense that the more of it that comes into contact with the floor the better the shoe will work.

Make sure to visit SRMax.Com and check out all of our different styles of slip resistant shoes that we offer!

Steps to Make Shoes Slip Resistant

Article by Brinklee Bailey

Imagine you purchased an item for a specific task, only to find out that it wasn’t the right item. Perhaps you only had a sponge and bucket to wash the outside of your house, or you brought a baseball bat to play golf. Would you try to do the job with the wrong equipment anyway?

Parking Lot Kayak

Of course, these are ridiculous examples, but oftentimes if we find that we have the wrong shoes for work, we’re tempted to try to just use what we have, instead of getting the right tool for the job. Specifically, I’m referring to the question of how to make a regular shoe into a slip resistant shoe.

Let’s be clear, this is never a safe idea. These do-it-yourself solutions are the equivalent of driving nails through the soles of your shoes to create cleats! The internet has tons of crazy suggestions as to how to make your shoes slip resistant, such as:

  • Put nonslip bathtub appliqués on the soles
  • Stick adhesive bandages on the ball and sole of each shoe
  • Attach double-sided tape to the soles
  • Buy some anti-slip spray

Slipping Icon 

WARNING!! None of these solutions will cause your shoes to be slip resistant! It’s always best to just invest in a quality pair of slip resistant shoes! SR Max® tests every single pair of shoes we offer.

A quality pair of slip resistant shoes is going to feature a unique rubber outsole built specifically to tackle the challenge of greasy, wet floors. In addition to a softer proprietary rubber, these soles will have a tread design that funnels liquid out from under your feet to help you gain more traction. For your safety, it is important to buy shoes designed for your work environment.

Shoes and outsoles line-up

If you’re looking to replace your work shoes, take a moment to browse our selection of the best slip resistant shoes available. If you want some advice on choosing the right shoe for your environment, contact us! We’re on Twitter and Facebook, or you can give us a call, we’d be glad to help!

What Are Slip Resistant Shoes?

Article by Brinklee Bailey

If you are looking to buy a pair of  work safety shoes, you have probably seen the following terms: “slip resistant shoes”, “anti-slip shoes”, “no slip shoes”, “slip proof shoes” and many more. What do they all mean and how are they different??

frustrated-face-outline

Don’t worry! This is a typical question that most people have. Hopefully we can make this much this clearer to you very soon.

First and most importantly, there is no such thing as no-slip shoes. With the right amount of liquid combined with the wrong surface and a fast-paced environment, no pair of shoes can guarantee that you will not ever slip and fall.

slipping-kitchen

In order for a company to have “no slip” shoes, this would mean that no one could ever slip while wearing that pair of shoes, but that would be a ridiculous claim!

You may hear terms like oil-resistant, fat-resistant, alkaline-resistant or others, but these do not mean that a pair of shoes will prevent you from slipping. If you are in doubt about whether a shoe offers the slip resistance you need, ask the vendor about the testing.

SRM1500-slip-resistant-outsole-example

Slip RESISTANT shoes, however, do offer some level of increased resistance to sliding or skidding on a less-than-ideal surface condition. At SR Max® we pride ourselves in saying that we individually test and guarantee that every pair of our shoes will provide resistance to oils, water and other liquids, up to a very high resistance.

Even though there is no legal minimum threshold for a slip resistant shoe to achieve on the Brungraber Mark II test, at SR Max® we don’t sell a shoe unless it has a minimum rating of 0.4 on the Mark II, and we have shoes that rank as high as the mid-0.7’s. We believe if you’re going to spend your hard earned money on a slip resistant shoe, you should get the absolute best performance from that shoe.

Comfort-Quality-Value-Shoe-Illustration

Please be sure to visit us on our website and check out our awesome selection of slip resistant shoes! You can also Tweet us or reach us on our Facebook page. It’s our pleasure to make sure our customers are well informed!

What is MaxTrax®?

At SR Max®, we talk a lot about MaxTrax®, our highly effective, patented, slip-resistant shoe outsole. But have you ever wondered what goes into making the sole that Works Where You Work? Well, wonder no more. We want to share a few of the things that make our MaxTrax® outsole so special.

When SR Max® first started in 2007, MaxTrax® had not yet been invented and we carried shoes with slip-resistant outsoles from other companies. In 2008, we decided to change the game by developing and producing the most slip resistant outsole available by:

  • Developing the overall design of the tread – The exclusive pattern is intended to give the outsole the maximum amount of surface area possible (increasing its contact with the floor for better traction) while still maintaining deep grooves designed to help channel liquids. This specialized groove design, while channeling fluids, allows for an inherent self-cleaning characteristic that keeps the bottom of our shoes cleaner than many other slip resistant shoes (though intermittent manual cleaning by the wearer is still necessary).
  • A flexible, soft rubber compound outsole – This specific outsole provides more give upon impact, allowing for an enhanced grip and maintaining a better hold with the ground. In our most recent independent Brungrabber Mark II slip resistance testing in greasy, high soil oily/wet, and wet environments, MaxTrax® proved itself to be a super star of slip resistance.  MaxTrax® far exceeded the Coefficient of Friction (i.e. the measure of slip resistance) necessary to make a safe step in each test. Where other outsoles failed on one type of surface or had COF’s near the mark for slipping on others, SR Max® alone surpassed the threshold on all surfaces tested.
  • Partnerships – All SR Max® brand shoes are made with the MaxTrax® outsole, but we’ve also partnered up with several other brands to make MaxTrax® available on select shoes offered exclusively by SR Max®. Look for the MaxTrax® logo on many styles we offer from brands such as Skechers, Dansko, Rockport Works, and Reebok.

Interested in getting your own pair of slip-resistant shoes featuring the MaxTrax® outsole? Check us out online at srmax.com to place an order, contact customer service, or request a catalog. 

maxtrax soles

*Please Note: While our MaxTrax® outsole is truly in a class of its own, it is important to remember that no shoe is completely slip-proof. This is particularly the case if the sole of the shoe is prevented from making contact with the floor (for example: slipping on a banana peel). Always use caution and take preventative measures when working in slippery environments.