Foot Protection

Who Needs Foot PPE ?

For protection of feet from falling or rolling

objects, sharp objects, molten metal, hot surfaces, and wet slippery surfaces workers should use appropriate safety shoes, or boots.

auses of Foot Problems

Foot Problems! "e#erely aching feet blisters, calluses, corns, hard flooring, rheumatism, arthritis, malformations of toes, fallen arches $flat feet%, bunions, sprains

ommon auses! &ong periods of standing, hard flooring, and poorly fitted footwear! high heals, pointed shoes, lack of arch support, too loose or too tight footwear

auses of Foot Problems ?

Foot Problems! "weaty feet, fungal infections $'thlete(s Foot%

ommon auses! )ot and humid en#ironment, strenuous work, footwear with synthetic $non* porous% uppers

)ow +oes the Working Position ontribute to the Foot Problem ?

"ince the human foot is designed for

mobility, maintaining an upright stance is e,tremely tiring. ontinuos standing can cause the joints of the feet to become mis*aligned $flat feet% and cause inflammation that can later lead to rheumatism and arthritis.

-he )uman Foot

Tendon from peronaeus longus (extends under foot to base of 1st metatarsal) Soleus Tendon from gastrocnemius Talus Peronaeus brevis

Tibia Extensor digitorum longus and peronaeus tertius Extensor digitorum brevis

Calcaneus

Abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis

Cuboid

Metatarsals

Phalanges

)ow +oes the Flooring ontribute to the Foot Problems ?

-he type of flooring used in the work place

has an important influence on comfort. )ard unyielding floors like concrete are the least comfortable surfaces to work on. Working on a hard floor has the impact of a hammer, pounding the heel at e#ery step. "lippery floors are ha.ardous for slips and falls that can result in sprains or broken bones.

)ow +oes the Foot Wear ontribute to the Foot Problems?

Foot wear that fits poorly or is in of repair

contributes hea#ily to foot discomfort

"pecific E,amples of Workplace Foot /njuries

/njuries! rushed or broken feet, amputation of toes or feet

Punctures of the sole of the foot

ommon auses! Feet trapped between objects or caught in a crack, falls of hea#y objects, mo#ing #ehicles $lift trucks% &oose nails, sharp metal or glass objects

"pecific E,amples of Workplace Foot /njures

/njuries! uts or se#ered feet or toes

ommon auses! hain saws, rotary mowers

&acerations Electric shocks

0nguarded machinery "tatic electricity, contact with sources of electricity

"pecific E,amples of Workplace Foot /njuries

/njuries! 1urns

ommon auses! 2olten metal splashes, chemical splashes, contact with fire, flammable or e,plosi#e atmospheres

"pecific E,amples of Workplace Foot /njuries

/njuries! "prained or twisted ankles, fractured or broken bones because of slips, trips, or falls

ommon auses! "lippery floors, littered walkways, incorrect footwear, poor lighting

)ow can foot injuries be pre#ented ?

-he first step in de#eloping a strategy to

reduce foot problems is to identify the rele#ant ha.ards at the workplace.

)ow an the 3ob +esign /mpro#e Foot "afety ?

'ching, flat or tired feet are common

among workers who spend most of their working time standing.

-he most important goal of job design is to

a#oid fi,ed positions especially fi,ed standing positions.

)ow an the 3ob +esign /mpro#e Foot "afety ?

3ob rotation mo#es workers from one job to

another 3ob enlargement includes more and different tasks in a workers duties 4est breaks, fre5uent short breaks are preferable to fewer long breaks

)ow an the Workplace +esign /mpro#e Foot "afety ?

For standing jobs, an adjustable work

surface is best Work station design should allow the worker room to change body position ' foot rail or footrest enables workers to shift weight from one leg to another Where possible a worker should be allowed to work sitting or standing at will

)ow an the 6ind of Floor /mpro#e Foot omfort ?

Where resilient floors are not practical,

foot wear with thick, insulating soles and shock absorbing insoles can alle#iate discomfort 'nti*fatigue matting

What should / 6now 'bout Footwear ?

Proper footwear is important, not only for

foot comfort but also for one(s general well being. /mproper footwear can cause or aggra#ate e,isting foot problems.

What "hould / 6now When / 1uy Footwear for Work ?

-he inner side of the shoe must be straight

from the heel to the end of the big toe -he shoe must grip the heel firmly the forepart must allow freedom of mo#ement for the toes -he shoe must ha#e a fastening across the instep to pre#ent the foot from slipping when walking

What "hould / 6now When / 1uy Footwear for Work ?

+o not e,pect that footwear which is too

tight will stretch with wear ha#e both feet measured. Feet normally differ in si.e 1uy shoes to fit the bigger foot 1uy shoes late in the afternoon when feet are likely to be swollen to their ma,imum si.e

What "hould / 6now 'bout Protecti#e Footwear ?

-he role of Personal Protecti#e E5uipment

is to minimi.e e,posure to specific occupational ha.ards, not to eliminate them. Protecti#e Footwear does not guarantee total protection

"afety "hoes and 1oots

"teel -oe footwear protects your toes from

falling objects and from being crushed.

2etatarsal footwear ha#e special guards

that run from your ankle to your toes and protect the entire foot

"afety "hoes and 1oots

4einforced sole footwear ha#e metal

reinforcement that protects your foot from punctures.

&ate,74ubber footwear resists chemicals

and pro#ides e,tra traction on slippery surfaces.

"afety "hoes and 1oots

P8

footwear protects your feet against moisture and impro#es traction. 1utyl footwear protects against most ketones, aldehydes, alcohol9s, acids, salts, and alkalis. 8inyl footwear resists sol#ents, acids, alkalis, salts, water, grease, and blood.

"afety "hoes and 1oots

Nitrile footwear resists animal fats, oils and

chemicals. Electrostatic +issipating footwear conducts static electricity to floors that are grounded. Electrical )a.ard footwear are insulated with tough rubber to pre#ent shocks and burns from electricity.

Wearing and 0sing "afety Footwear

"elect and use the right kind of footwear

for the job you are going to be performing. Footwear should meet or e,ceed the standards set by 'N"/ $'N"/ :;<*<==<% '#oid footwear made of leather or cloth if you work around acids or caustics. -hese chemicals 5uickly eat through the leather or cloth,and can injure your feet.

Wearing and 0sing "afety Footwear

"elect footwear that fits. /nspect your footwear before you use them.

&ook for holes and cracks that might leak. 4eplace footwear that is worn or torn. 'fter working with chemicals, hose your footwear with water to rinse away any chemicals or dirt before remo#ing your footwear.

Wearing and 0sing "afety Footwear

'#oid borrowing footwear. Footwear is

personal protecti#e e5uipment. "tore footwear in a clean, cool, dry, #entilated area.

4emember

>our Feet are one of your greatest assets.

Protect them?