News RSS

Job and workplace designs also have the potential to increase foot safety in workplaces that are specifically hazardous. Here are some examples: Separating mobile equipment from pedestrian traffic and installing safety mirrors and warning signs can decrease the number of incidents that might result in cut or crushed feet or toes. Proper guarding of machines such as chain saws or rotary mowers can avoid cuts or severed feet or toes. Effective housekeeping reduces the number of incidents at workplaces. For example, loose nails, other sharp objects, and littered walkways are hazards for foot injury. Using colour contrast and angular lighting...

There is no workplace where a worker is immune to foot injury. However, the hazards differ according to the workplace and the types of tasks the worker does. The first step in developing a strategy to reduce foot problems is to identify the relevant hazards at the workplace. Such hazards should be assessed in each workplace, no matter how safe or how dangerous it may seem. Foot injuries then can be prevented by looking for measures through proper job design and/or workplace design, and identifying proper foot wear.

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. Good job design includes varied tasks requiring changes in body position and using different muscles. Job rotation, job enlargement and team work are all ways to make work easier on the feet. Job rotation moves workers from one job to another. It distributes standing among a group of workers and shortens the time each individual spends standing. However, it must be a rotation where the worker does...

There are two major categories of work-related foot injuries. The first category includes foot injuries from punctures, crushing, sprains, and lacerations. The second group of injuries includes those resulting from slips, trips and falls. Slips and falls do not always result in a foot injury but lack of attention to foot safety plays an important role in their occurrence. These two categories of foot injuries, however, do not exhaust the whole range of foot problems at work. There are also other conditions such as calluses, ingrown toenails or simply tired feet that are common among workers. Although these may not...

If you are at risk for foot injury at your workplace, you should wear the appropriate protective footwear. If foot protection is required, set up a complete foot safety protection program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance and inspection. Safety footwear is designed to protect feet against a wide variety of injuries. Impact, compression, and puncture are the most common types of foot injury. Choose footwear according to the hazard. Refer to CSA Standard Z195-14 "Protective Footwear". Select CSA-certified footwear. Ensure that it has the proper rating for the hazard and the proper sole for the working conditions. Use metatarsal...