Achieving a good fit is just as important as making sure footwear is suitable for the working environment and occupation. Poor-fitting footwear can lead to bunions, corns, calluses and other foot problems.
Often, workers experience discomfort simply because they are not wearing the correct size. Footwear that fits well should allow the toes wiggle room, with an approximately 1 cm gap between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. In terms of metal or composite toe caps, if the shoes are padded and fitted properly, you should not be able to feel the toe caps at all. The heel should fit snugly on the foot and stabilise the foot upon ground contact.
Workers should be advised to measure both feet, as they may not be the same size, with length, depth and width all considered equally. Measuring should take place periodically in the event of any changes to the size and shape of the feet.
You will also need to consider the difference between men's and ladies' sizing. Until recently, there have been limited female-specific PPE alternatives and, often, downsizing was the only option for women selecting safety shoes. However, safety footwear manufacturers such as V12 are now producing women's safety footwear designed specifically for ladies' feet.