Personal Protective Equipment
Foot Protection
by
Eric Robinson
Safety Manager
Interbake Foods Inc.
Who Needs Foot PPE ?
 For protection of feet from falling or rolling
objects, sharp objects, molten metal, hot
surfaces, and wet slippery surfaces
workers should use appropriate safety
shoes, or boots.
Causes of Foot Problems
Foot Problems:
 Severely aching feet
blisters, calluses,
corns, hard flooring,
rheumatism, arthritis,
malformations of toes,
fallen arches (flat
feet), bunions, sprains

Common Causes:
 Long periods of
standing, hard
flooring, and poorly
fitted footwear:
 high heals, pointed
shoes, lack of arch
support, too loose or
too tight footwear

Causes of Foot Problems ?
Foot Problems:
 Sweaty feet, fungal
infections (Athlete’s
Foot)

Common Causes:
 Hot and humid
environment,
strenuous work,
footwear with
synthetic (nonporous) uppers

How Does the Working Position
Contribute to the Foot Problem ?
 Since the human foot is designed for
mobility, maintaining an upright stance is
extremely tiring.
 Continuos standing can cause the joints of
the feet to become mis-aligned (flat feet)
and cause inflammation that can later lead
to rheumatism and arthritis.
The Human Foot
Tendon from
peronaeus longus
(extends under foot
to base of 1st
metatarsal)
Peronaeus brevis
Tibia
Soleus
Tendon from
gastrocnemius
Extensor digitorum longus and
peronaeus tertius
Talus
Extensor digitorum brevis
Calcaneus
Abductor hallucis and
flexor hallucis brevis
Cuboid
Metatarsals
Phalanges
How Does the Flooring Contribute
to the Foot Problems ?
 The type of flooring used in the work place
has an important influence on comfort.
 Hard unyielding floors like concrete are the
least comfortable surfaces to work on.
 Working on a hard floor has the impact of a
hammer, pounding the heel at every step.
 Slippery floors are hazardous for slips and
falls that can result in sprains or broken
bones.
How Does the Foot Wear
Contribute to the Foot Problems?
 Foot wear that fits poorly or is in of repair
contributes heavily to foot discomfort
Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries
Injuries:
 Crushed or broken
feet, amputation of
toes or feet


Punctures of the sole
of the foot
Common Causes:
 Feet trapped between
objects or caught in a
crack, falls of heavy
objects, moving
vehicles (lift trucks)
 Loose nails, sharp
metal or glass objects

Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injures
Injuries:
 Cuts or severed feet or
toes

Common Causes:
 Chain saws, rotary
mowers


Lacerations

Unguarded machinery

Electric shocks

Static electricity,
contact with sources
of electricity
Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries

Injuries:

Common Causes:

Burns

Molten metal
splashes, chemical
splashes, contact
with fire, flammable or
explosive
atmospheres
Specific Examples of Workplace
Foot Injuries

Injuries:

Common Causes:

Sprained or twisted
ankles, fractured or
broken bones
because of slips, trips,
or falls

Slippery floors,
littered walkways,
incorrect footwear,
poor lighting
How can foot injuries be
prevented ?
 The first step in developing a strategy to
reduce foot problems is to identify the
relevant hazards at the workplace.
How Can the Job Design Improve
Foot Safety ?
 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.
How Can the Job Design Improve
Foot Safety ?
 Job rotation moves workers from one job to
another
 Job enlargement includes more and
different tasks in a workers duties
 Rest breaks, frequent short breaks are
preferable to fewer long breaks
How Can the Workplace Design
Improve Foot Safety ?
 For standing jobs, an adjustable work
surface is best
 Work station design should allow the
worker room to change body position
 A foot rail or footrest enables workers to
shift weight from one leg to another
 Where possible a worker should be
allowed to work sitting or standing at will
How Can the Kind of Floor
Improve Foot Comfort ?
 Where resilient floors are not practical,
foot wear with thick, insulating soles and
shock absorbing insoles can alleviate
discomfort
 Anti-fatigue matting
What should I Know About
Footwear ?
 Proper footwear is important, not only for
foot comfort but also for one’s general well
being. Improper footwear can cause or
aggravate existing foot problems.
What Should I Know When I Buy
Footwear for Work ?
 The inner side of the shoe must be straight
from the heel to the end of the big toe
 The shoe must grip the heel firmly
 the forepart must allow freedom of
movement for the toes
 The shoe must have a fastening across the
instep to prevent the foot from slipping
when walking
What Should I Know When I Buy
Footwear for Work ?
 Do not expect that footwear which is too
tight will stretch with wear
 have both feet measured. Feet normally
differ in size
 Buy shoes to fit the bigger foot
 Buy shoes late in the afternoon when feet
are likely to be swollen to their maximum
size
What Should I Know About
Protective Footwear ?
 The role of Personal Protective Equipment
is to minimize exposure to specific
occupational hazards, not to eliminate
them. Protective Footwear does not
guarantee total protection
Safety Shoes and Boots
 Steel Toe footwear protects your toes from
falling objects and from being crushed.
 Metatarsal footwear have special guards
that run from your ankle to your toes and
protect the entire foot
Safety Shoes and Boots
 Reinforced sole footwear have metal
reinforcement that protects your foot from
punctures.
 Latex/Rubber footwear resists chemicals
and provides extra traction on slippery
surfaces.
Safety Shoes and Boots
 PVC footwear protects your feet against
moisture and improves traction.
 Butyl footwear protects against most
ketones, aldehydes, alcohol's, acids, salts,
and alkalis.
 Vinyl footwear resists solvents, acids,
alkalis, salts, water, grease, and blood.
Safety Shoes and Boots
 Nitrile footwear resists animal fats, oils and
chemicals.
 Electrostatic Dissipating footwear
conducts static electricity to floors that are
grounded.
 Electrical Hazard footwear are insulated
with tough rubber to prevent shocks and
burns from electricity.
Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Select and use the right kind of footwear for
the job you are going to be performing.
Footwear should meet or exceed the
standards set by ANSI (ANSI Z41-1991)
 Avoid footwear made of leather or cloth if
you work around acids or caustics. These
chemicals quickly eat through the leather
or cloth,and can injure your feet.
Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Select footwear that fits.
 Inspect your footwear before you use them.
Look for holes and cracks that might leak.
 Replace footwear that is worn or torn.
 After working with chemicals, hose your
footwear with water to rinse away any
chemicals or dirt before removing your
footwear.
Wearing and Using Safety
Footwear
 Avoid borrowing footwear. Footwear is
personal protective equipment.
 Store footwear in a clean, cool, dry,
ventilated area.
Remember
Your Feet are one of your greatest assets.
Protect them!