The role of safety shoes in reducing injuries from prolonged standing at work

Standing is a natural human posture and by itself, poses no particular health hazard. However, frequently working in a standing position can cause sore feet, swelling of the legs, general muscular fatigue, low back pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulders and other health problems.

Each year in Canada, thousands of work-related foot injuries are reported, and an increasing number of sick days are taken because of leg and foot problems. Whether you are working on an assembly line at a factory, working in a warehouse or in construction, making an extra effort to take good care of your feet by having proper safety footwear can go a long way toward staying healthy and comfortable.

By not wearing proper footwear, many workers experience severe fatigue, which results in reduced productivity on the job. Additionally, pain and discomfort can also lead to distracted working, potentially causing injuries resulting in slips, trips and falls.

 

The effects of standing all day can show up almost right away, and prolonged standing or walking can often accelerate health problems and soft tissue injuries. Muscular strain or Musculoskeletal Disorders (referred to as MSD) can lead to injury and is something you want to avoid at all costs.
whether you are standing or walking, hard concrete floors can be punishing on your body when working for extended periods. The article "3 Tips for Finding the Best Safety Footwear for Standing on Concrete" helps you find the suitable shoes for using on concrete surfaces.

 

The number 1 thing you can do to prevent strain-related symptoms of standing on the job is purchasing footwear that is the correct size, fit and with the right support features. Look for footwear with shock-absorbing footbeds and cushioned midsoles. The cushioning from the midsoles is actually what workers are standing on all day, which provides a comfort barrier between the hard surface you stand on and your feet. Having comfortable shoes will help reduce muscular fatigue in your legs and feet and your back.

      - Change positions frequently (walking and stretching)

      - Alternate standing with sitting if possible

      - Add insoles to your safety shoes

      - Ask for anti-fatigue matting in your work area

      - Do these exercises before and after work:

            - Hip rotations

            - Hamstring/Calf Stretch

 

Also, the type of outsole of shoes can play an important role in reducing foot injury. In this regard, we recommend that you read the article "Types of shoe soles and their characteristics".

The mentioned features and tips are included in all of our products. By buying the right safety shoes, you can greatly reduce the risks and injuries caused by standing at work for long times. To view various models of Ark safety industries, you can refer to the "Safety shoes" section and order your desired model. To better choose safety shoes suitable for your job and profession, you can read the article "Safety shoes suitable for different jobs and work environments".

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