Footwear-related injuries are an issue in the workplace. Slips, trips and falls can happen in an instant, but niggling foot pain is the first sign of an underlying problem.

If you are on your feet all day, the one thing you may notice is how uncomfortable your PPE work boots are. If you feel foot pain at the end of your shift, then you can almost be certain that it comes from your choice of footwear.

If you feel foot pain at the end of your shift, then you can almost be certain that it comes from your choice of footwear.

Toni Wells Copywriter

You heard the saying: “you get what you pay for” and if you work 8-12 hours and find your feet, back or legs hurt after a shift then you might want to reconsider your footwear purchase.

Footwear affects your muscles, ligaments and joints. Therefore, the implication of wearing ill-fitting footwear over a long period of time can prevent you from carrying out duties efficiently. Worse, prevent you from living a mobile quality of life.

Cheap PPE work boots may have some safety features but quite often they lack other features that your feet would benefit from.

Believe it or not, footwear has an enormous influence on the way feet move. Your body uses natural methods to decrease the forces of impact and absorb shock in your lower limbs. This is why you should not look for the cheapest PPE work boots for the sake of your foot health.

Good news is that footwear is an easy fix. And with companies competing for sales, you should be able to find one at a reasonable price. When trying out work boots, there are 7 key features to look for in terms of comfort and support.  

Arch Support

You may have heard that people with a high arch, a low arch or flat feet require arch support. The truth is that people with normal arch still require arch support and not just those with foot conditions. The purpose of arch support is to prevent strain to tendons. This feature is essential if you carry heavy loads or do a lot of walking. 

Removable Insoles

PPE boots with removable insoles allow those with certain foot conditions to add orthotics to help optimise the fit and feel of the shoe.   

Stability

No doubt, an important feature to have to prevent an ankle injury that is often associated with a lack of stability. The best support is located in the back two-thirds of the boot.

Flexibility

You want flexibility at the toe joints which allows normal function of the foot while walking and standing. Nothing worse than having a shoe that prohibits the natural flex in your feet.

Traction

PPE work boots with limited rubber gripes are prone to slips, trips and falls. Your workplace health and safety officer may have repeated this message a thousand times before. Tread patterns are a key indicator of the effectiveness of grip. Look for an evenly distributed tread to ensure you get the most out of this feature.

Heel Counter

Heel fatigue happens when it is overworked. A strong heel counter prevents fatigue and secures the heel to prevent injuries from occurring. 

Cushioning

Some of the footwear-related injuries are due to the lack of cushioning. This feature is to help offset hard surfaces of the ground that comes from standing for long periods of time. 

Protecting your feet is made simple knowing these 7 key features that will help reduce foot pain and your risk of a foot-related injury at work.

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The post PPE Work Boots: Features That Help Prevent Foot Pain & Injury appeared first on Toni Wells Copywriter.