Which of the following is an example of safety equipment?

Safety shoes are designed specifically to protect the feet of workers in various environments, particularly in industrial or construction settings. They often feature reinforced toes, slip-resistant soles, and additional support to prevent injuries from falling objects, sharp edges, or excessive fatigue from standing for long periods. The primary purpose of safety shoes is to ensure the wearer's safety and compliance with workplace safety standards, making them a vital component of personal protective equipment (PPE).

In contrast, plastic gloves serve a protective function as well but are typically categorized under personal protective equipment for hand protection, specifically in areas dealing with chemicals, biological materials, or contaminants. Flash drives and smartphones, while useful tools in many workplaces, do not provide any safety-related functions and are primarily used for data storage and communication, respectively. Therefore, safety shoes stand out as the most relevant example of safety equipment in the context of protecting individuals from work-related hazards.