Page 44 - Occupational Health & Safety, January/February 2019

FOOT PROTECTION
How to Choose Proper Footwear and Accessories This Winter
A company can have different employee types: administrative 9-5 workers, active sales teams, and warehouse workers. It’s important these employees aren’t bunched up into one category of winter preparedness.
BY KEVAN ORVITZ
Between slippery terrain, wind chill, and pre- cipitation, winter can create an extremely unsafe environment for employees. Feet are often overlooked but are important parts
of our bodies we should protect in the winter. Many people do not realize that the feet contain special blood vessels that open up to pass large quantities of blood through them, allowing the body to heat quickly. When we keep our feet warm during the winter months, we can keep our whole body at a more regulated tempera- ture. However, neglecting foot care during the winter leads us to dry, cracked feet or stiff joints.
The snow, ice, and wet sludge often found in piles in the parking lot can be trekked into the workplace, multiplying the number of slippery surfaces and the potential for accidents. In the United States in 2014, there were 42,480 workplace injuries and illnesses involving ice, sleet, or snow, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Many of these injuries were slips, trips, and falls that were preventable, had people been more prepared for the conditions at hand (and foot).
Oftentimes, employees may not be educated on the correct footwear to choose to protect them in the workplace. In an office with different roles and responsibilities, it’s important each individual knows what tools to look for in order to meet his or her spe- cific foot-care needs. One single corporation can have different employee types: administrative 9-5 workers, active sales teams, and warehouse workers. It’s impor- tant these employees are not bunched up into one cat- egory of winter preparedness.
Administrative
In a setting where people are sedentary at their desks for a majority of the day, it’s unlikely that these em- ployees require or need heavy-duty traction boots, because they aren’t moving around from one station to another. These employees are more likely to get sore and stiff muscles stemming from cold feet and ankles.
While the walk from the parking lot to the office may be short, this is where they can gather sludge and water onto their shoes, with added wind chills caus- ing their bodies to lose a lot of heat. This cold weather can cause stiff muscles in and around the feet, increas- ing their chances of slips, trips, and falls on their way into or once they get inside the office. To keep the cold from lingering, investing in warm, wool socks2 will al- low heat to be entrapped from the beginning. The key to a good, warm day starts with our feet.
When looking into purchasing winter socks, make
sure the fabric consists of at least 50 percent wool fi- bers—it is the best for naturally absorbing moisture. This not only keeps feet dry in the harshest conditions, but also protects against cold and heat. Investing in a pair that uses double thick yarn, wearers benefit from double the moisture wicking capabilities and ensure the driest possible feet throughout the day. An added bonus would be finding a pair that is anti-microbial to help prevent bacteria buildup, because bacteria can cause several other foot problems.
Sales Team
Sales team members are often on the go—running around from one location to another, gathering lots of snow and sludge on their feet from the outdoors. Due to their constant movement, focusing on shoes with good traction is a top priority. Slippery terrain such as parking lots can greatly increase the chances of falling. Employers are also liable for injuries outside of the workplace, such as parking lots; these can be a haz- ardous environment that can result in potential injury lawsuits. For this reason, supplying these on-the-go employees with insulated boots and heavy traction is important. To ensure employee safety, suggest water- proof boots that provide good traction and warmth. The traction is the most important, as it helps to avoid the slips and falls. The outsoles of winter boots are er- gonomically designed to grip onto slick surfaces bet- ter than your standard work boots and shoes.
When looking at the traction of the boot, make sure the outsole is made of soft rubber, since it is more slip resistant than other outsole compounds. The bottom of the shoe also indicates a level of traction by includ- ing a tread pattern that doesn’t allow water in. Aside from choosing the right outsole, finding a winter boot that is waterproof will help keep feet dry, even when walking in slippery, cold weather conditions. Buying a boot that has internal insulation keeps our feet warm, which allows muscles to stay relaxed all day.
Warehouse Workers
Because warehouse workers are on their feet all day, comfort is a top priority. Although these employees may not spend much time outdoors, they still face numerous workplace hazards because they stand for a majority of their day. Cold winter weather typically exacerbates issues such as stiff ankles, which require added comfort to reduce pain. Providing anti-fatigue insoles3 that have added shock absorption will aid in relieving stiff muscle soreness throughout the day. For
38 Occupational Health & Safety | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
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