Page 37 - OHS, October 2020

■ Electric hazard protection when accidentally stepping on live electric wires.
■ Static dissipative properties to reduce hazards that result from a buildup of static charge where there is risk of accidental contact with live electrical circuits.
■ Puncture resistance (to protect the bottom of the foot) from sharp penetrating objects.
To ensure that the wearer feels completely comfortable and enjoys going to work in safety shoes, complete the assessment above to ensure workers’ shoes have the ability to keep up with all hazards that may be presented to the foot.
The Right Safety Shoe
There are a lot of hazards a shoe needs to protect against, but getting a worker to wear the safety shoe is a first priority. There are several items to consider for the worker when choosing the right safety shoe, below are a few.
Fit. The first item to consider for optimal comfort is correct fit. You should always make sure that the safety shoe does not fit too tight and can be laced to a suitable fit. Instead of “slipping into” the shoe every day, you should lace it up again every morning so that a tight fit on the wearer’s foot can be guaranteed. Blistering and painful pressure points can thus be avoided in the first step.
Comfort. It is also important to choose safety shoes with a sufficient level of cushioning. An intermediate sole with cushioning material forms the basis for a comfortable working environment,
especially on hard industrial floors. A high energy return ensures reduced fatigue and more energy—all day long. Good cushioning also protects the joints, the back and the whole body. All this leads to less illness and loss of working hours.
Durability. If the safety shoes are subjected to a high daily load, durability also plays a major role. The upper material should be robust, but also lightweight. Soles made of durable material support the wearer significantly longer and ensure that the shoes do not have to be changed after just a few weeks.
To ensure that the wearer feels completely comfortable and enjoys going to work in safety shoes, a sporty look that combines the characteristics of robust safety shoes with those of modern sports shoes is also a great advantage.
Jana Gonda works as a dual student in the marketing department of the German manufacturer of safety shoes and workwear ISM Heinrich Krämer. Through her Business Administration studies and the combination of theory and practice, she was able to learn a lot about the products during her apprenticeship. She now uses her knowledge to create informative content in the field of PR and social media.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.bls.gov/iif/soii-data.htm/#summary
2. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/industry-incidence-rates/industry-profiles/
www.ohsonline.com
OCTOBER 2020 | Occupational Health & Safety 33 5/1/20 11:12 AM
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