Health & safety bulletin
Footwear
22nd September 2006
Foot care is often overlooked when we consider health and safety in the workplace. It is seen as trivial and unimportant compared to other safety issues. This is wrong considering how important our feet are to us.
Our feet are one of the most utilised parts of the human body. They are constantly under stress as we go about our normal working lives.
Our feet work for us the whole day, whether we stand, run, or walk, and in the process they become the most affected part of our anatomy.
Many things affect the condition of our feet: activity level, occupation type, other health conditions, and perhaps most importantly, our shoes / boots.
Feet are often neglected, as people are unaware of the damage that can be caused to them in day-to-day life.
Being in a working environment where you are on your feet all day is a major cause of foot problems, as the feet have little time to recuperate before the next working day commences.
People may suffer from pain in their back, legs and knees but may not associate the pain with problems concerning their feet. Untreated, such problems can lead to more long-term conditions such as chronic back pain and ligament deformity.
Typical work related foot problems:
Punctures, crushing and lacerations
Usually due to incorrect footwear and untidy workplace practices e.g. loose nails or glass left untidy.
Blisters, calluses and corns
Caused by incorrect footwear and fatigue. Especially prevalent in jobs that involve continuous standing and walking.
Aching feet
Can be caused by long periods of standing on hard flooring/scissor lifts wearing inadequate shoes with hard footpads.
Fallen arches or flat feet
Caused by the wearing of boots and insoles without adequate levels of arch support.
Sweaty feet
Generally a problem for workers in hot and humid environments, or those with highly strenuous jobs.
Sprains and breaks
Caused by slippery floors and incorrect footwear.
The foot and ankle is an incredibly complex mechanism which contains;
The foot and ankle contain:
- 26 individual bones
- 33 joints
Ligaments (tissues that connect bones to other bones)
- More than 100 muscles
- Tendons
- Blood vessels
- Nerves
- Skin & tissue
All of these foot components combine to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility. Please take care of your feet and make sure your foot wear is correct.
When ordering footwear, you should check the following:-
- The toecap should provide protection to at least 200 joules impact
- The sole should be heat resistant
- If possible, insist on a double density shock absorption heel
- The boot should be water resistant, anti-static, have a steel mid-sole and be resistant to petrol, oil and other similar chemicals.
- The boots must be compliant with European safety standard EN345.
Xmo Strata is able to order footwear from the office, but it is better for you to try the boot on for comfort, whilst still insisting on the specifications detailed above. If in doubt, please ask!