The Importance Of Proper Footwear At Work
Often, employees and employers do not give enough thought to the footwear needed to do a job properly and without injury. Many jobs put extreme stress on the feet, which in turn causes back and neck problems along with other health issues. Before you begin a new job, take the time to find the right footwear.
Symptoms
If your job requires that you are on your feet all day, you need a good, supportive shoe or boot. Your body was not designed to stand on hard surfaces for eight hours per day. In fact, your muscles have to work hard to keep you in a standing position. If you do not have the right footwear, you can develop muscle fatigue, a stiff neck and shoulders, varicose veins, and sore legs and back. If you are on concrete or another inflexible surface, the problems are intensified.
Support
To combat these problems, choose a shoe or boot with at least a 1/4 inch heel. Flat shoes are not comfortable for long periods of standing. Your footwear should also have good arch support; otherwise, you will develop pain in your legs and feet. For some people, adding insoles to the boot helps with this problem. Shoes or boots that are too small are guaranteed to cause you problems, including bunions, corns, hammertoes, and ingrown toenails.
Safety
If you work in certain professions such as construction or manufacturing, you need to have safety elements in your work boots. Most importantly, you need to have protective toes. Steel toes are the traditional choice, although some workers prefer aluminum toes because they are lighter. You should consider a boot with a metatarsal guard to protect your foot from heavy falling objects or hot substances. You can also purchase boots with safer soles than ever before. A variety of materials, such as rubber and Thermo Poly Urethane, allow you excellent traction and weight distribution.
If you are in a profession that keeps you on your feet, you need to invest in the proper footwear. Ill-fitting shoes or boots can cause painful neck and back injuries and other conditions such as varicose veins and bunions. The proper heel height and arch support can prevent many of these issues. For workers who are employed where their feet can be easily injured by heavy objects or machinery, certain safety features are essential. Even if your employer does not require safety toes and guards, you should consider investing in them to give your feet extra protection. You will be a more comfortable and productive worker if you purchase the right footwear (from companies like Cowpokes).
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