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PPE: FOOT PROTECTION Safety Footwear: More Than Just Protection From tailor-made fits using advanced technology to eco-friendly materials, ensuring workers’ foot safety involves several key considerations. BY TITO WARREN Safety footwear provides a founda- tion for every worker on the job, and a work boot that doesn’t fit correctly isn’t living up to its full potential. It is critical to understand the latest innovations in safety footwear to help keep workers out of harm’s way on the jobsite. Here’s how to best approach selecting proper foot protection for workers. Customize Safety Footwear to Your Jobsite What conditions are your workers exposed to? Does your site experience extreme temperatures? Are your workers operating heavy machinery, or exposed to electricity? Planning with your PPE partner and under- going assessments and job hazard analyses (JHAs) can aid with identifying the proper foot protection for workers. Extreme weather poses an increased risk for falls, fatigue and environmental injuries. In cold environments, such as construction jobsites during the winter months, select work boots with materials that are insulating and water resistant. In the summer months, seek out footwear that offers ventilation and breathability to aid in temperature regulation for workers. Practice thermal management and seek out work boots with the latest technology to help workers feel at ease year-round. While most jobsites have specific safety requirements, safety footwear no longer needs to be synonymous with bulk to offer maximum protection. Lightweight mate- rial advances are playing a role in providing mobility and comfort to workers. For ex- ample, for mid-duty work, lighter boot op- tions are available that leverage lightweight cement construction, alongside this alumi- num safety toe and a light outsole. Material advances are changing the industry by providing workers with ex- ceptional traction and protection without compromising performance. Importance of Proper Fit Everyone’s feet are unique and foot protec- tion should be highly personalized to the Iam_Anuphone/Shutterstock.com individual. Poorly fitted work boots can lead to increased fatigue and long-term problems with ankles, knees, lower back and joint pain, so finding the proper fit is essential for your workers’ well-being. The right fit should be snug without being overly tight, and foot protection should not limit mobility but should not have extra space in the heel, toe or side. This can be especially difficult to find for women whose feet require a different standard of measurement than men. In these cases, seek out a work boot designed specifically for women to ensure your foot protection maximizes safety and comfort. Understanding the latest industry in- novations for work boot fit is critical. New techniques used for fitting include AI and 3D-mapping technology to analyze foot measurements such as shape, arch height, volume and even a foot’s pressure points. Utilize your PPE partner to host a fit event on your jobsite, or encourage your workers to go into a store to talk to a fit ex- pert who specializes in safety footwear. Well- trained fit experts will ask questions about your jobsite and assess your workers’ feet to provide personalized safety footwear recom- mendations, including a work boot, socks and footbeds. Consider Sustainable Materials With sustainability a priority in many industries, the safety industry is taking a stride forward to increase efforts, especial- ly when it comes to footwear. You can pri- oritize recycled, sustainable and natural materials, all while maintaining the func- tionality and construction of work boots. Recycled plastic bottles and rubber al- low safety footwear to be environmentally responsible as well as being lightweight, versatile, and durable. Along with recycled resources, renewable materials like sugar- cane provide an alternative to traditional high-impact methods and are successfully being integrated into work boot designs. Many improvements in ecological materi- als have been made, offering high perfor- mance and protecting employee safety. Choose a trusted partner for PPE that offers sustainable, responsible options to achieve environmental, social and gover- nance (ESG) goals and enhance employee safety. You can still meet sustainabil- ity objectives without compromising your workers’ protection and well-being. Tito Warren is the president of global indus- trial sales and operations at Red Wing Shoe Company. 16 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com