Many workers' roles require them to be on their feet for a large portion of the day. Some people spend more time wearing safety boots than any other kind of footwear. Foot injuries and conditions can occur if inadequate footwear is worn regularly. Footwear that is too tight, too heavy, rubs or has inadequate thermal protection can cause the wearer short-term discomfort and long-term health issues.
RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is one of the most common health complaints in the workplace. This causes the individual to experience aches and pain in the upper body and is generally caused by repetitive movements or poor posture at work. More than half of occupational injuries are directly related to the hands and feet. Musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fasciitis, fallen arches or flat feet are also common, with many cases going undiagnosed. Over time, workers with these conditions can experience secondary injuries to the knees, hips, spine and even the neck. Work boots and shoes that provide poor sole or heel support are one of the major causes of plantar fasciitis due to over-pronation of the foot, where the arches collapse and the feet "roll over" and elongate. This puts excess strain on the ligaments, muscles and nerves in the foot.
The answer to preventing these foot related health problems? Provide high-quality and supportive footwear!
With all of the potential safety hazards in the workplace, feet are especially vulnerable to injury. Falling objects, sharp objects on the floor and slippery surfaces are common hazards that put workers at risk of foot injuries, with slips, trips and falls accounting for 31% of all non-fatal workplace injuries in 2017/18. In all such cases, safety footwear can act as a crucial line of defence against injury.
Non-slip safety footwear can minimise the risk of slips, trips and falls, while insulated steel toecap boots can protect the wearer from health issues resulting from extreme temperatures and falling objects. All workplaces differ and, consequently, the type of safety footwear required will vary. It's important to consider the particular hazards present in your workplace and select the appropriate safety footwear to ensure that your staff are protected from harm. Injuries at work have a detrimental impact on performance and productivity, so guarding against them is vital for the continued success of your business. With this in mind, we've compiled a simple guide below on how to select safety footwear, so you can rest assured that your team are safe, healthy, comfortable and able to do their job.