There are two main types of work-related foot injuries. The first category includes foot injuries caused by stab wounds, crushes, sprains and cuts. They account for 10% of all reported disabling injuries. The second type of injury includes injuries caused by slips, trips and falls. They account for 15% of all reported disabling injuries. Slipping and falling do not always cause foot injuries, but note that foot safety plays an important role in their occurrence.
Injuries to the feet may make people weak, making them unable to work or having difficulty working. Wearing safety shoes or boots to protect your feet can prevent further injuries in the following ways.
1) Prevent falling objects and flying objects
When workers carry heavy objects or work in a dynamic environment where multiple people, multiple machines, and multiple vehicles are operating at the same time, falling and flying objects are a common danger. Protective shoes such as steel toe boots can effectively prevent foot injuries.
2) Puncture protection
When the worker may step on a sharp object or be hit by a sharp object from above, a firm sole and thick material shoes will provide the best protection. For example, on a construction site, many sharp objects may be on someone's path. Soft-soled shoes may not provide adequate protection.
3) Prevention of cutting hazards
Sharp or machinery containing moving parts may pose a cutting hazard. For example, workers in the logging industry are in danger of chainsaws. If the chainsaw comes into contact with someone's foot, the result may be catastrophic. OSHA's logging boots used in accordance with standard 29 CFR 1910.266(d)(1)(v) are made of cut-resistant materials, which can protect workers using chainsaws. These boots are also waterproof or waterproof and support the ankle.
4) Protection against electrical hazards
Electricity poses various risks in the workplace. Workers may face potential electric shock or static electricity accumulation, which may cause electrical sparking in certain environments. To reduce the chance of electric shock, non-conductive shoes made of leather, rubber, or other non-conductive materials can be worn. Antistatic or conductive shoes can be used in places where static electricity accumulates on the human body and can cause danger. These options reduce the amount of static electricity that accumulates on the human body, thereby preventing static sparks.
5) Anti-skid, anti-fall
Slips, trips and falls can occur in any workplace and cause many accidents every year. The organization can take active measures to assist, such as taking housekeeping measures and installing non-slip floor tape to reduce the risk of such accidents. The correct footwear can also provide additional protection against slipping, tripping and falling. Shoes with proper traction can help prevent falling to the same level in a slippery environment. They also prevent the ladder from falling, and when people don't wear shoes with proper footrests, the ladder will fall. Appropriate and comfortable footwear can also improve balance, which also helps prevent slipping, tripping and falling.
6) Fatigue prevention
For workers who stand all day, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete, fatigue may be a real problem. Muscles on the feet and legs, back and other parts of the body can become fatigued. If employees do not wear appropriate shoes, the situation may become worse. Shoes that provide adequate cushioning and arch support can make people more comfortable and reduce muscle pressure. This means that employees will become less fatigued. Employees with less fatigued will be more alert, so they may complete their work more safely and efficiently. Preventing muscle strain will also help prevent musculoskeletal diseases, such as chronic lower back pain.
7) Prevention of burns
Fire may occur in the workplace, but common workplace materials such as chemicals and even cement may also cause combustion. Footwear made of durable materials can prevent burns caused by chemical splashes, molten metal splashes, and other dangerous substances that may harm the skin of the feet.
8) Weather protection
Cold weather can cause injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia, and these hazards should not be ignored in the workplace. People who work outdoors in winter and employees who work in humid or cold environments are at risk.
In addition, a cold can exacerbate some little-known workplace injuries. For example, Raynaud's syndrome refers to a disease where the finger turns white due to poor blood flow. When employees are exposed to low temperatures, the situation associated with vibrations caused by the use of power tools is even more serious. In some cases, this disease also affects the feet, so keeping the feet warm and comfortable and other measures to keep the body warm are important.
Not all footwear is waterproof or insulated to provide protection from cold, rain, and snow, so make sure to select footwear made from appropriate materials.