The Importance of Safety Shoes within the Workplace
By: Carey Howard
Submitted: 2010-06-01 22:49:14 | Word Count: 551
The importance of safety shoes within the workplace can't be overestimated. A startling twenty five% of all incapacity claims, the planet over, relate to foot injury. Within the USA alone over one hundred 000 foot injuries occur in the workplace every year, with an estimated value tag of $one billion.
The crippling price and distress to workers of foot injuries, has prompted most nations, together with the UK, to implement strict necessary policies that enable effective protective strategies within the workplace. Fortunately these measures have paid huge dividends as will be seen within the Canadian construction industry where foot injury was reduced by a whopping 60% when protecting footwear was introduced.
Though we have a tendency to usually associate foot injury with dangerous work environments; blisters, flat feet, dropped arches and aches and pains, related to long periods of standing, all take their toll and can result in unproductive staff and burgeoning absenteeism.
Interestingly enough it is not lacerations, amputations, crushings and punctures of the toes or feet that claim the most victims, it's 'slips and visits' which account for the best number of work-connected injuries across all industrial sectors, accounting for two million sick days per year!
[ advertisement ]
Common injuries sustained during the work day, when no workplace footwear is provided, include:
• Crushed feet, broken bones and amputations of toes and feet. These types of injuries are prevalent in construction, logging, longshore, fishing and oil rig operations.
• Punctures to the soles of the feet. Any employee working with nails, wire, staples and scrap metal is vulnerable.
• Cuts, lacerations and severed toes can be the results of operating with chain saws, rotary mowers or other machinery without adequate protection.
• Burns resulting from chemical and molten metal splashes or alternative flammable and explosive materials are frequent in the mining and manufacture of heavy metals and the assembly of chemicals.
• Electric shocks will be caused by static electricity or direct contact with the source. Unprotected construction workers and electricians are often victims.
• Sprains, fractures and broken bones will occur literally anywhere where there is a slippery floor, cluttered walkway or simply inadequate lighting. Teachers, search assistants and workplace employees are not excluded from foot injury!
Today, there is a numerous vary of UK safety footwear which provides guaranteed protection in the workplace, adheres to European safety standards and is attractive too.
• Steel-toed boots designed to guard the high of the feet. Polycarbonate-fibre toecaps are as efficient.
• Safety boots and shoes with impact protection. Dual density impact absorbing soles and padded polyurethane ankle collars, for added support and protection, do the trick.
• Safety trainers and shoes with puncture protection. Versatile anti-perforation midsoles are effective.
• Protective footwear with anti-static rubber soles, waterproof leather uppers and breathable inner linings.
Bear in mind to identify the potential hazards within the work place before choosing protecting footwear for your staff. Then simply select from a wide selection of cheap, comfortable and, trendy, UK safety footwear!
Author Resource:-
Howard has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Workplace Safety, you can also check out his latest website about:
