Safety Footwear: A Double-Edged Sword for Workers’ Health
A recent comprehensive review in Occupational Medicine Journal has highlighted a critical issue in workplace safety: protective footwear.
While protective footwear is essential in specific workplaces, some workers are finding their footwear is causing injuries; leading to people not wanting to wear safety boots.
After analysing 27 international studies, researchers from the University of Huelva, Spain, have found that safety boots can lead to skin conditions such as calluses and fungal infections, along with more severe ailments like plantar fasciitis and musculoskeletal pain.
The root cause?
A mismatch between the shoe design and the biomechanical need of the job is a key cause of the problem. Workers have reported their safety footwear to be uncomfortable, ill-fitting, and unsuitable for prolonged use. This discomfort can escalate to the point where workers choose to forgo wearing them altogether, increasing the risk of accidents and subsequent sick leave.
The studies suggest the problem lies in a lack of proper training in occupational risk prevention and a failure to tailor footwear to the individual’s needs. The current design focus of safety boots is on shielding against external hazards, neglecting the wearer’s comfort and the prevention of foot-related conditions.
This revelation calls for a re-evaluation of how safety footwear is designed and selected, emphasizing the importance of functionality and individual fit to ensure the well-being of workers.
Union Observation
The IEU has provided advice and assistance to members who have suffered injuries due to the provision of inappropriate work footwear. We have assisted members in raising concerns with the employer, and in lodging workers compensation claims. If you and your team are facing the same situation you can call your IEU Organiser for advice.
Examples of issues include:
- Safety shoes rather than boots were found to be more appropriate.
- A different design/brand of boot needed to address foot size, such as large feet.
- Provision of orthotics and other shoe implants to address pain.
(It should be noted that orthotics and shoe implants are more likely to be effective when fitted to the individual by a podiatrist).
Member Action
- As a Sub-Branch, meet to determine whether Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as safety boots are fit for purpose, and identify any issues.
- If concerns are raised the Sub-Branch can raise the concerns with school management to seek resolution.
- Contact the IEU who can provide advice and support in organising member meetings, raising concerns, and assisting members who have been injured at work.
Dan Farmer
Industrial Officer
Source
M C Pereira-Barriga et al, Spain, Occupational Medicine, published online March 2024, doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqae003. A review of the injuries caused by occupational footwear.
