You just got a job at a production plant. You are very excited and ready to take on your new career. Soon you get an email from your new employer informing you that you must get a pair of safety shoes before coming into work. A quick google search shows you that there are thousands of safety shoes to choose from and now you are lost and confused. How do you choose? What do you need? Here are some tips and tricks.
What you should know:
- If there is a risk of a foot injury at your workplace, you need safety shoes.
- If foot protection is required at your workplace, your new employer should have information on the types, fit and criteria of the shoes they expect you to buy.
- Impact, compression and puncture are the most common types of work related foot injuries. Safety shoes can help prevent these problems.
- Choose protective footwear according to your workplace hazards, not based off what seems helpful or most innovative.
- Make sure they have proper soles. Improper soles can cause plantar fasciitis, strains and calluses.
- Use top of the foot and toe protection such as steel toed boots, if there is a chance that your toes and forefoot can be injured.
What built in feature come with safety footwear?
- High cut shoes and boots give ankle support and prevent sparks, hot metals and chemicals from entering the shoes.
- Reinforced safety toes can help absorb the blow of a heavy object lands on them.
- Reinforced metal soles prevent foot punctures.
- Steel midsoles help against the penetration of sharp and jagged objects.
- Non-slip footwear prevents slipping on certain surfaces.
- Insulated footwear helps keep feet warm in cold temperatures and can help prevent frostbite.
Still having trouble choosing? Call Syracuse Podiatry located in Fayetteville, New York. Podiatrist Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico will teach you about safety shoes and the best kind for your individual situation. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today. Work injuries can be serious or life threatening, prevent them with the right pair of safety shoes.