It presses, it throbs, it hurts. More than half of all adults in Germany suffer from foot problems - at least that's what recent studies say. But in many cases, orthopaedic insoles promise relief. So what could be more natural than to wear such insoles at work too, especially if you are on your feet all day. If you work in explosion-proof areas, however, you are far from being able to wear every insole there. What you need are orthopaedic insoles that fit your safety shoes exactly and have been made specifically for your model by a certified orthopaedic shoe technician. But why is this necessary?

The safety shoe incorporates conductive parts that run throughout the shoe and provide direct contact between the wearer's body and the ground. They prevent the electrical charge that we pick up through synthetic clothing or rubber soles, for example, from discharging via sparks. Instead, the energy is continuously dissipated. Your insole must therefore tie in with the conductive parts of the shoe and carry them further - for example, through a conductive band in the upper. Otherwise, you run the risk of sparks during operation. And unlike a flash of inspiration, this kind of discharge can have fatal consequences in explosion-protected areas.

As always in Germany, there is a rule for this, namely DGUV-R 112-991 of the employers' liability insurance associations. The manufacturers of safety footwear subject their prototypes to EC type testing on this basis. The prototypes of the insoles that the shoe technician later makes for you must therefore always be certified together with the safety shoe. The manufacturers therefore specify who may make orthopaedic insoles for their models so that the shoes continue to fulfil their safety functions.

For this reason, you may only use your existing "ex-protective insoles" in other safety shoes if the new model is exactly the same as your previous one. By the way, all safety shoes with at least the S1 marking are always antistatic. In many of them you will also find the yellow ESD symbol. Such a shoe is also antistatic, but meets a stricter standard.

If you want to be sure that your insole really fits the shoe, you should contact your occupational health and safety specialist, your health department or your colleagues in purchasing. They can set things in motion or put you in touch with the right orthopaedic shoe technician. Many companies will also cover the cost of insoles if you have a doctor's certificate.

By the way, theoretically even socks can insulate. However, people sweat heavily enough in their shoes and this moisture is enough to ensure good conductivity. Sweaty feet are good for something after all.