Protective Footwear
There is no workplace where an employee is immune to foot injury. However, the hazards differ according to the workplace and the types of tasks involved. The first step in developing a strategy to reduce foot problems is to identify and assess the relevant hazards in the workplace no matter how safe or how dangerous it may seem.
Typical workplace foot injuries include
- Crushed or broken feet
- Amputations of toes or feet
- Punctures on the soles of the feet
- Burns
- Cuts, lacerations or severed feet or toes
- Electric shocks
- Sprained or twisted ankles
- Fractured or broken bones
Safety shoes and boots protect the feet, help prevent injuries to them and reduce the severity of injuries that do occur in the workplace. Safety footwear is comfortable, flexible and stylish – still it provides protection from injury. The basic safety boot or shoe is designed to protect the feet against impact, compression or puncture. Common features include:
- Safety toe – for protection against falling objects or heavy weights.
- Cushion between toe cap and the foot – for comfort and insulation.
- Anti-perforation midsole – for puncture protection.
- Special soles – made from a variety of materials for protection against a range of hazards.
Other options include
- Shoes and boots with instep protection.
- Insulated boots for protection against extreme temperatures.
- Boots with built-in ankle protection.
- Rubber, vinyl or plastic safety boots to protect from water, oil, acids, corrosives and chemicals.
- Add on protection such as metatarsal guards, shoe covers, rubber spats, strap-on cleats and puncture proof inserts.
