Heavy-duty footwear, such as steel toe boots, may come to mind when considering work shoes. Many industrial and construction locations require these boots, which have reinforced toes to protect the feet from hazards such as large items.
Steel toe boots aren't the only type of footwear that may make work safer. Traction, arch support, and other safety features can be found in other types of boots and shoes. To identify the best foot protection for your employees' jobs, conduct a hazard assessment and evaluate which risks, such as slipping and falling or sharp items, represent a threat to their feet. Then choose shoes or boots that provide adequate protection.
Shoes may not appear to be as important for workplace safety as protective glasses or gloves, but they do have a number of advantages. If someone in your business is sceptical about the value of investing in footwear, demonstrate how safety shoes can keep employees safe.
Safety Shoes Have the Following Functions:
Foot injuries can be serious, necessitating time away from work or making duties difficult to complete. Many foot injuries can be avoided by wearing safety shoes or boots in the following ways.
- Prevent Falling and Flying Objects: Falling and flying objects are regular risks for employees carrying large materials or working in dynamic environments where numerous people, machines, and vehicles are functioning at the same time. Steel toe boots and other protective footwear can successfully avoid crushing injuries to the feet.
- Prevent Punctures: When employees are at risk of stepping on sharp things or being struck by sharp objects from above, heavy-duty soles and thick materials around the foot provide the best protection. Many sharp things, for example, could be in someone's path at a building site. A shoe with a soft sole may not be enough protection.
- Prevent Cutting Hazards: Sharp machinery or machinery with moving parts can cause cutting injuries. For Example, Workers in the logging industry are at risk from chainsaws. If a chainsaw comes into contact with someone's foot, the consequences could be disastrous.
- Avoid Electrical Hazards: Electricity in the workplace can cause a range of problems. Workers may be exposed to electric shocks or accumulate static energy, which can result in electric sparks in some situations. Non-conductive footwear consisting of leather, rubber, or other non-conducting materials can be worn to lessen the risk of an electrical mishap. Anti-static or conductive footwear can be worn in places where static build-up on the body is a risk.