Page 18 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2019

FOOT PROTECTION
stand, run, carry heavy objects and much more, all have their ori- gins in the feet. The foot contains 26 different bones. The shape of these, and the muscle and ligaments to which they are attached, are precisely aligned so that you can withstand the stresses of everyday life without any issues.
Did you know that during the course of an average lifetime, your feet will transport you a distance equivalent to going around the world up to four times? That’s a lot of work for your feet, es- pecially while having to carry the weight of your body. And if you pick incorrect footwear, you can place additional burdens on to your feet.
The foot and the boot must form a functional unit. The main tasks of the boot are to not only provide protection from work haz- ards, but also provide any support necessary to meet the specific demands placed on it without affecting the foot’s bio-mechanical properties. For example, having adequate cushioning and shock absorption, keeping the foot aligned in the correct position for muscle balance, and to prevent malpositions of the feet.
Currently 65 percent of people between the age of 19 to 34 are already suffering from irreparable malposition to the feet and suf- fering from the resultant changes to their musculoskeletal system. Symptoms resulting from foot problems can manifest itself into unexplained aches and pains to the back, head, knees, or feet. In- correct foot positions can ultimately lead to incorrect posture.
Boots are actually made on foot “lasts.” These are foot forms, and ultimately determine the final fit of a boot or shoe, because the
shoe is built and molded based around the foot last. Manufactur- ers will generally have their own lasts, and these can vary widely between manufacturers. The best lasts are those that are built ana- tomically correct based on orthopedic parameters. These types of lasts will result in a boot that will follow the form of your foot, and ultimately provide footwear that will be more comfortable.
Anatomically correct lasts will have a more pronounced arch and provide more arch support, especially for those who have flatter feet. Good arch support will support the natural curvature of the foot and helps to keep the foot in the best position for optimal foot health. Look for boots that mention arch support, especially if you will be standing on the job for long periods of time.
Protection
Since we are talking about safety boots, toe protection certainly is the biggest player here. Your toe cap needs to protect you from im- pact and compression, and if certified, the toe already meets the ASTM testing standard. The question then becomes, whether the toe caps should be steel or composite. Composite toe caps are be- coming more and more popular as they can help reduce the weight of a boot.
Manufacturers are designing boots using newer, more modern technologies to make boots lighter and more comfortable. One thing to note with composite toe caps, you may have a smaller toe box than with a steel toe. This is because the thickness of the toe cap must be thicker in a composite toe than a steel toe in order to
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18 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2019
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