4 Common Workplace Foot Injuries and how you can avoid them

Having a comfortable pair of work boots is vital for any employees who have jobs in the construction business, police enforcement, etc.

Workplace injuries usually slow down and even stop the business productivity; here are the 4 most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them…

Broken Bones – In some industries, it is not uncommon for people who do not wear the correct safety boots to have their feet crushed by heavy machinery or cargo. These injuries can be avoided by wearing the correct pair of work boots that have enough resistance to protect your feet or toes from being crushed.

Cuts and Lacerations – Employees who work with machinery often end up with cuts and lacerations, this is why steel toe boots are often the best footwear to invest in. Comfortable tactical boots are a good option as well, but make sure they have some level of compression resistance.

Puncture Wounds – Work industries where there are a lot of dangerous metal objects such as nails, staples or scrap metal often end up causing painful puncture wounds. Prevent these injuries from happening by wearing high quality, heavy duty safety boots.

Electric Shocks – Workers sometimes have to be prepared for the risk of an electric shock, such as electricians and construction workers. In cases such as these, you need to invest in a boot that is thick with a rubber sole.

Ultimately it is critical to examine your workplace and figure out what safety footwear is right for you…

At L&A Safety we provide a range of safety boots and footwear, to order yours, give us a call on 021 552 0665, email tish@landasafety.co.za or pop into one of our stores in Vredenburg, Robertson and Cape Town

8 Vital Ways Safety Shoes Protect your Feet

When you think about safety shoes, the first thing that probably pops into your mind is heavy-duty, steel toe boots. These shoes are vital for foot protection as they have been reinforced to shield you from a range of dangerous or heavy objects.

Other types of shoes exist to protect you including those that provide traction, support, slip protection and other safety benefits. If you are not sure what shoes you need for the job, it is best to do a safety assessment first and determine what risks pose a threat.

Shoes may not be at the top of your list before safety head gear and eye wear, however they are vital to your safety! Here’s how safety shoes or boots can protect you in the workplace:

     1.       Falling/flying objects – When working in a place such as a construction site, there will be dangers all around like machines and vehicles. Falling and flying objects are a regular occurrence and can cause serious injuries, protective shoes like steel cap boots can prevent serious injuries.

     2.       Punctures – Heavy duty shoes protect workers when sharp objects puncture from above or underneath.

     3.       Cutting Hazards – Machinery such as chainsaws can provide dangers like cutting. Boots made from cut resistant materials can mean the difference between safety and catastrophic results.

     4.       Electrical Dangers – Certain workers such as electricians can face potential electric shocks which can cause deadly results. Footwear that is made from materials like leather and rubber are best to wear as they don’t conduct electricity.

     5.       Slips, Trips and Falls – Accidents happen in any workplace at any time. Consider installing anti-slip floors and make sure everyone wears shoes that have proper traction.

     6.       Fatigue Prevention – For those who stand all day at work, fatigue is a real thing! Muscle in your feet as well as in your legs can grow tired and suffer if you do not wear the right footwear for the job.

     7.        Burns – Burns from fire can happen, but then again so can chemical burns and even burns from cement. If you work in an environment that includes these dangers, make sure to wear the right footwear that is made from durable materials.

     8.       Extreme Weather – We all know extreme cold weather can end in frost bite and hypothermia; this is why it is vital for those who work in these conditions to wear insulated, waterproof protective footwear.

Improve your safety and comfort by wearing the right safety boots for the right job! L&A Safety has a wide range of PPE, including safety shoes and boots – visit the website here… Or pop into one of their stores in Cape Town, Vredenburg or Robertson!

Protective Footwear for Farm Workers

Foot protective for farm workers is vital in their line of work. They can be injured from a variety of different things, including animals stepping on their feet, heavy objects dropping and even sharp objects that can go right through the shoe.

Safety footwear can come in a range of different styles. Hiking boots and cowboy boots are popular because they look good and they are less heavy duty than normal farm worker boots, such as heavy duty work boots and polyurethane boots for damp working environments.

Safety shoes usually have much more than just a steel-toe cap for protection. Steel shanks help distribute weight more evenly, providing support during farm tasks like climbing a ladder.

Metatarsal boots are fit with protection on top of the shoe and also in the shoe to protect the top of the foot. Steel midsoles, either built-in or slip-in, protect against punctures and bone bruises from nails, glass, barbs, and stones. Slip-resistant soles help prevent falls in wet barns and on muddy ground.

L&A Safety provides a variety of protective footwear for farm workers, including metatarsal boots, polyurethane boots and many other gum boots. Click here to browse through the catalogues...