Your Feet at Work

Productive workers depend on their ability to walk and move about safely, with ease and comfort.
When your job requires you to stand on your feet for long periods, work in potentially hazardous areas or with potentially hazardous materials, you have some increased risk of foot injury. You can do a lot to prevent injuries by keeping your feet healthy and following safe work practices.

According to the National Safety Council, in any given year, there are about 120,000 job-related foot injuries, one-third of them toe injuries.

In addition to following the same basic foot care guidelines for all people, when you are on the job be sure to develop safe work habits and attitudes. This includes wearing protective footwear when appropriate. The National Safety Council also reports that only one out of four victims of job-related foot injury wear any type of safety shoe or boot. The remaining three either are unaware of the benefits of protective footwear or complain about it.

Try these tips for buying your next pair of work shoes.

• Only you can tell if shoes fit. If they aren't comfortable, don't buy them! Our certified Shoe Fitters have a digital fitting system that can scan your feet and suggest the proper shoe size. Don't be surprised if you are wearing two shoe sizes too small. Don't plan on shoes stretching with wear. If you already own shoes that are too tight, ask your shoe repair shop if they can be stretched. Better advice would be to replace them.
• Because feet spread with age, have your feet measured every time you buy shoes. Especially if you have had recent weight gain or pregnancy. Both feet should be measured as they are often different sizes. Always buy shoes for the BIGGEST foot.
• Go shoe shopping late in the afternoon. Feet swell to their largest later in the day. If you must buy shoes in the morning, buy them slightly larger.
• Size depends on shoe make and style, too. Don't insist you always wear one size if the next feels better. Remember the size is merely a suggested number and changes with brand and style.
• The toe box should be roomy enough so you can wiggle all your toes. You should have one thumb width from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Remember this may be your second toe not your great toe.
• Your forefoot should NOT be wider than your shoe. Look to see if your foot is spreading out over the sole of the shoes at the sides.
• Unfortunately, most shoes today are narrower in the front than the foot is. You can check this by standing on paper and tracing around your bare foot. Compare the outline of your foot with the sole of your shoe. If your shoe appears too narrow, you may be inviting foot problems. Choose only shoes that feel comfortable - you are the best judge of that.
• The heel should fit snugly and the instep should not gape open.
• And finally, if the shoe doesn't fit - don't buy it!
• Call our office at 419-423-1888 if you experience any problems with your feet.