Step Safely with the Right Footwear, Flooring and More

Footwear worn for work should be both comfortable and protective. © breakermaximus – stock.adobe.com

Choosing the right foot protection begins with a thorough assessment of the work environment and tasks.

By: Shana McGuinn, Contributor

The foot – that marvelous piece of human machinery that bears our weight, gives us balance and helps us move – is understandably complex. It has 26 bones, 33 joints and a host of muscles and ligaments, all of which can be injured in various ways:¹

• Fractures and crushing injuries and toe and foot amputations can be caused by feet being trapped between objects, struck by falling objects or moving vehicles or by feet being caught between the belt and roller of conveyor belts.
• Soles can be punctured by loose nails, sharp metal or glass objects.
• Feet and toe amputations can be caused by unguarded machinery, chain saws and rotary mowers.
• Metal or chemical splashes, flammable or explosive atmospheres and fire can cause burns to the feet and other body parts.
• Electric shocks can occur when feet come into contact with sources of electricity or with static electricity.
• Slippery floors, cluttered walkways, incorrect footwear and poor lighting can lead to sprained or twisted ankles or fractured bones.
• Frostbite and trench foot can result from feet being in freezing temperatures or being wet in cold temperatures.
• Aching, flat or tired feet are common among workers who spend most of their working time standing.

SAFETY FOOTWEAR TO THE RESCUE

Foot protection can go a long way toward preventing injuries. However, footwear that fits poorly, is in poor condition or is the wrong choice for the hazards associated with tasks and the work environment will not serve the purpose.

It is important to keep the following in mind when selecting any kind of footwear:

• Measure feet late in the afternoon when they will be swollen to their maximum size.
• Shock-absorbing insoles can provide foot comfort for workers who must walk or stand on hard floors.
• Tight, wrinkled or wrong-size socks can cramp the toes or cause blisters.
• Non-stick footwear cannot prevent slips on every type of surface.

© NE97 – stock.adobe.com

FEATURES TO CONSIDER

Footwear worn for work should be both comfortable and protective. A thorough assessment of the work environment and the tasks workers must do should be the basis of the foot protection decision-making process. Important features include:

Soles in safety footwear come in a variety of thicknesses and materials like polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and rubber. Each offers different benefits and varying degrees of those benefits. Consider the work environment, including flooring type and potential hazards before determining if the footwear should have slip resistance, durability, and heat resistance.

Work boots with steel toe caps are popular among manufacturing and construction workers, because the caps offer protection against falling objects and compression. The downside of steel toe caps is that they make footwear heavier and can be comfortable in extreme temperatures. If choosing boots with steel toe caps, make sure that the toe cap does not cut into the foot.

Uppers cover the toes, top, sides, and heel, shielding them from impacts, abrasions, and punctures. If environmental conditions affect breathability and moisture management, footwear with uppers made of natural materials may be a better choice than those made with synthetic materials.

A steel midsole is a protective insert embedded in safety footwear. It protects the foot against penetration by sharp objects like nails and glass.

DESIGNING A FOOT FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

A thorough assessment of the workplace will help identify areas hazardous to feet. That information can be the basis of changes that can minimize dangers and keep workers’ feet safe. This might include:

• Establishing dividers between pedestrian traffic and vehicle traffic
• Installing safety mirrors and warning signs, especially near sharp objects
• Installing machine guarding on chain saws, rotary mowers and other equipment
• Conducting regular housekeeping to keep walkways clear of loose nails and other sharp objects

FLOORING MATTERS

Flooring in industrial facilities like warehouses and factories must, of necessity, be able to withstand heavy machinery and high foot traffic. It also has to be long-lasting and durable. However, the polished concrete, epoxy and heavy-duty industrial tile floors often found in workplaces can be hard on the feet of the workers who must stand on them for long periods of time.

Resilient floors with a degree of flexibility, like those made of wood, cork, carpeting or rubber or anti-fatigue matting can help prevent foot fatigue. However, if anti-fatigue matting is not installed properly, it can lead to slip and fall incidents if workers’ shoes grab suddenly on the mat and their feet slide forward inside their shoes.

If a flooring change is not possible, footwear with shock-absorbing insoles and thick, insulating soles can help improve foot comfort. WMHS

Shana McGuinn writes about occupational safety, material handling, environmental news and the automotive industry.