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.
 Causes of Foot Problems
 Foot Problems:  Common Causes:
 Severely aching feet  Long periods of
blisters, calluses, standing, hard
corns, hard flooring, flooring, and poorly
rheumatism, arthritis, fitted footwear:
malformations of toes,  high heals, pointed
fallen arches (flat shoes, lack of arch
feet), bunions, sprains support, too loose or
too tight footwear
 Causes of Foot Problems ?
 Foot Problems:  Common Causes:
 Sweaty feet, fungal  Hot and humid
infections (Athlete’s environment,
Foot) strenuous work,
footwear with
synthetic (non-
porous) uppers
 How Does the Working Position
Contribute to the Foot Problem ?
 Since the human foot is designed for
mobility, maintaining an upright stance is
extremely tiring.
 Continuos 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.
 The Human Foot
Tendon from
peronaeus longus Peronaeus brevis
(extends under foot
to base of 1st
metatarsal)
Tibia
Soleus

Tendon from Extensor digitorum longus and

gastrocnemius peronaeus tertius

Talus Extensor digitorum brevis

Calcaneus

Abductor hallucis and

flexor hallucis brevis Cuboid Metatarsals Phalanges
 How Does the Flooring
Contribute to the Foot
Problems ?
 The type of flooring used in the work place has
an important influence on comfort.
 Hard 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 every step.
 Slippery floors are hazardous for slips and falls
that can result in sprains or broken bones.
 How Does the Foot Wear
Contribute to the Foot Problems?
 Foot wear that fits poorly or is in of repair
contributes heavily to foot discomfort
 Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries
 Injuries:  Common Causes:
 Crushed or broken  Feet trapped between
feet, amputation of objects or caught in a
toes or feet crack, falls of heavy
objects, moving
 Punctures of the sole vehicles (lift trucks)
of the foot  Loose nails, sharp
metal or glass objects
 Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injures
 Injuries:  Common Causes:
 Cuts or severed feet or  Chain saws, rotary
toes mowers

 Lacerations
 Unguarded machinery

 Static electricity,
 Electric shocks
contact with sources of
electricity
 Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries
 Injuries:  Common Causes:

 Burns  Molten metal

splashes, chemical
splashes, contact
with fire, flammable or
explosive
atmospheres
 Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries
 Injuries:  Common Causes:

 Sprained or twisted  Slippery floors,

ankles, fractured or littered walkways,
broken bones incorrect footwear,
because of slips, trips, poor lighting
or falls
 How can foot injuries be
prevented ?

 The first step in developing a strategy to

reduce foot problems is to identify the
relevant hazards at the workplace.
 How Can the Job Design Improve
Foot Safety ?
 Aching, flat or tired feet are common
among workers who spend most of their
working time standing.

 The most important goal of job design is to

avoid fixed positions especially fixed
standing positions.
 How Can the Job Design Improve
Foot Safety ?
 Job rotation moves workers from one job to
another
 Job enlargement includes more and
different tasks in a workers duties
 Rest breaks, frequent short breaks are
preferable to fewer long breaks
 How Can the Workplace Design
Improve Foot Safety ?
 For standing jobs, an adjustable work surface
is best
 Work station design should allow the worker
room to change body position
 A 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
 How Can the Kind of Floor
Improve Foot Comfort ?
 Where resilient floors are not practical,
foot wear with thick, insulating soles and
shock absorbing insoles can alleviate
discomfort
 Anti-fatigue matting
 What should I Know About
Footwear ?
 Proper footwear is important, not only for
foot comfort but also for one’s general well
being. Improper footwear can cause or
aggravate existing foot problems.
 What Should I Know When I Buy
Footwear for Work ?
 The inner side of the shoe must be straight
from the heel to the end of the big toe
 The shoe must grip the heel firmly
 the forepart must allow freedom of movement
for the toes
 The shoe must have a fastening across the
instep to prevent the foot from slipping when
walking
 What Should I Know When I Buy
Footwear for Work ?
 Do not expect that footwear which is too tight
will stretch with wear
 have both feet measured. Feet normally differ
in size
 Buy shoes to fit the bigger foot
 Buy shoes late in the afternoon when feet are
likely to be swollen to their maximum size
 What Should I Know About
Protective Footwear ?

 The role of Personal Protective Equipment

is to minimize exposure to specific
occupational hazards, not to eliminate
them. Protective Footwear does not
guarantee total protection
 Safety Shoes and Boots
 Steel Toe footwear protects your toes from
falling objects and from being crushed.

 Metatarsal footwear have special guards

that run from your ankle to your toes and
protect the entire foot
 Safety Shoes and Boots
 Reinforced sole footwear have metal
reinforcement that protects your foot from
punctures.

 Latex/Rubber footwear resists chemicals

and provides extra traction on slippery
surfaces.
 Safety Shoes and Boots
 PVC footwear protects your feet against
moisture and improves traction.
 Butyl footwear protects against most
ketones, aldehydes, alcohol's, acids, salts,
and alkalis.
 Vinyl footwear resists solvents, acids,
alkalis, salts, water, grease, and blood.
 Safety Shoes and Boots
 Nitrile footwear resists animal fats, oils and
chemicals.
 Electrostatic Dissipating footwear conducts
static electricity to floors that are grounded.
 Electrical Hazard footwear are insulated
with tough rubber to prevent shocks and
burns from electricity.
 Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Select and use the right kind of footwear for
the job you are going to be performing.
Footwear should meet or exceed the
standards set by ANSI (ANSI Z41-1991)
 Avoid footwear made of leather or cloth if
you work around acids or caustics. These
chemicals quickly eat through the leather
or cloth,and can injure your feet.
 Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Select footwear that fits.
 Inspect your footwear before you use them.
Look for holes and cracks that might leak.
 Replace footwear that is worn or torn.
 After working with chemicals, hose your
footwear with water to rinse away any
chemicals or dirt before removing your
footwear.
 Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Avoid borrowing footwear. Footwear is
personal protective equipment.
 Store footwear in a clean, cool, dry,
ventilated area.
 Remember

 Your Feet are one of your greatest assets.

 Protect them!