The safety footwear is an important element within workers’ personal protective equipment (PPE). However, it doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves: it’s common for companies that provide work shoes to their employees to choose the most economical models.
Crushing injuries, sprains, puncture wounds, falls, or long-term injuries such as plantar fasciitis are some of the consequences of not using good occupational footwear. Discover its importance in this article that every occupational risk prevention department should read to raise awareness.
The Relationship between Occupational Footwear and Occupational Health
Low-quality work shoes can cause all kinds of injuries and workplace accidents. From a simple slip to fractures and even foot amputations in the most extreme cases.
The statistics show that foot-related accidents account for a significant number of work absences each year. In Spain, one of the latest studies on this subject shows that more than 40,000 workplace accidents per year have involved some damage to the feet, toes, and other parts of the lower extremities.
It’s important to invest in quality work footwear that effectively protects the employee’s feet, as it provides benefits for everyone.
In other countries, some studies indicate that for every monetary unit invested in good safety footwear, up to 3 times its value can be saved in accident-related costs. It’s an indisputable fact that investing in prevention through adequate protective equipment is cost-effective.
Furthermore, the law requires companies to provide certified protective footwear (ASTM F 2413 and EN 20345 standards) when work risks require it. Failure to comply with this obligation can lead to very high economic penalties, both from the administration and from possible complaints by workers who have suffered an accident.
How Proper Footwear Prevents Workplace Injuries
The footwear designed for work is made to minimize risks and withstand the harsh conditions of some work environments.
Among its characteristics we find:
- Reinforced toe cap to protect against impacts and falling objects. The toe caps must comply with standards that guarantee their resistance to impacts of up to 200 J and compressions up to 15 kN.
- Non-slip sole to prevent slips and falls. The friction coefficient of the sole must be suitable for work surfaces and must be maintained over time.
- Anti-perforation sole. Protects the sole of the foot from sharp objects such as nails or screws. It can be made of steel, high-strength textile, or composite.
- Resistance to chemicals, oils, hydrocarbons, acids, or other agents.
- Dielectric protection. There are several types of protection: conductive footwear, insulating footwear, or antistatic footwear.
- Water resistance. Exposure to moisture can cause skin problems such as fungal infections.
- Comfort for prolonged use thanks to the use of breathable and lightweight materials. This prevents premature fatigue or injuries from overuse. Many safety footwear models are heavy, especially the cheaper ones.
All these protections are implemented to minimize the risk of suffering all types of injuries during the workday. And, of course, it is essential to comply with legal regulations on occupational risk prevention.
Prevention of Occupational Diseases through Appropriate Footwear
In addition to preventing accidents, the use of appropriate work footwear is also key to avoiding occupational diseases and physical problems in the feet or legs. Some of these problems can be serious and lead to several months of sick leave for the worker.
A comfortable and ergonomic footwear greatly reduces the risk of conditions such as bunions, calluses, tendinitis or plantar fasciitis. Some of these require surgery, so they are serious problems that can be avoided. Additionally, good breathability prevents bad odors and the appearance of fungi or infections.
It is also important that the shoe adapts to the anatomy of the foot, providing proper support and with an adequate counter. Poor support or irregular fastening can cause anything from chafing to permanent deformities. Choosing the right size is key in this aspect.
The materials also play a fundamental role. Breathable synthetics and antibacterial insoles prevent excessive sweating and its consequences. Furthermore, lighter materials reduce muscle fatigue and improve the worker’s agility and freedom of movement.
In jobs where you spend a lot of time standing or walking it is essential to choose footwear that is lightweight, breathable and that absorbs impacts well.
In short, one cannot neglect the importance of footwear, regardless of the sector. The Feliz Caminar work footwear, which is suitable for both men and women, is a profitable investment that benefits both workers and companies.
