[The shoe industry: from productive reality to risk individualization]

This article describes in detail each stage of the shoe manufacturing process: design, cutting and shearing, sewing and trimming, assemblage, sole preparation, finishing, packaging and stocking, shoe manufacturing with synthetic materials. It will then discuss new technologies and their impact on the improvement of the worker's health, safety and convenience. A definition of the shoe parts and of the materials and machinery employed in its production will be provided, as well as a synthesis of the occupational hazards involved in each department. Although dealing with competitors who can take advantage of low-cost production and lack of concern for labour protection and environmental issues, the industry should always take great care of topics such as innovation and automation, but also workplace health and safety, while pushing the limits of that technological advance which companies have to face.