Your feet bear the brunt of your daily working life. Prolonged standing, walking, operating machinery, falling objects, slippery surfaces and wearing high heels are just some of the dangers we expose our feet to in the workplace. Every year, 2 million sick days are lost due to lower limb disorders.
The TUC recently issued a new guide called Working feet and footwear which includes a checklist for the Health and Safety Representative. The TUC found that some major institutions insist that female staff who deal with the public wear slip-on shoes or high heels as part of a dress code.
The TUC believes that workers should be able to wear footwear that is appropriate to their occupation, working environment, and feet. That means employers should ensure that the risk assessment which has to be carried out by law includes risks to the feet as well as the risk of slipping. If safety or special footwear is required it must be supplied it at no cost to the worker.
Further information
The new guide is available to download from http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/footwear.pdf
For further information on working feet see the working feet leaflet: http://www.feetforlife.org/foot_health/free_leaflets.html
Treat your working feet:
As part of the 2007 Feet for Life Month in June, the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists launched their ‘Working Feet’ campaign to give women some helpful foot care advice on how ‘working feet’ problems can be avoided. The campaign urges women to be more aware of the dangers of hard working feet and hopes to encourage them to look after their feet properly and avoid problems.
Wearing your killer heels to the office everyday may be super stylish, or squeezing your feet into uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes might mean not having to buy new ones, but it can be murder for your feet. Wearing the wrong type of shoes for long periods can cause a range of problems from blisters, corns and callus to serious foot, knee and back pain and damaged joints. That is why the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists want you to treat your ‘Working Feet’ to some tender loving care.
In terms of working feet, amongst the worst culprits are shop assistants, cabin crew, teachers and nurses, whose feet are subjected to all-day standing, causing a lot of pressure to be placed on the feet over long periods. This may also cause swollen, hot, and painful feet which can be exacerbated if the wrong shoes are worn.
“Protect your feet at work” says Nita Parmar from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. “It’s important to wear comfortable shoes to work that fit properly. Feet can spend hours in the same shoes and if your feet hurt it can affect your concentration, efficiency and attitude to work. Ignoring painful feet could also lead to problems in the long term.”
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Top top tips for healthy working feet:
1. Wear shoes that are appropriate for your job and suitable for your work conditions
2. If you must wear high heels, stick to a heel height of around 4cm for everyday shoes and stretch your calf and heel muscles daily to keep feet supple
3. Always wear comfortable footwear that fits you – if in doubt, ask for a proper fitting
4. Vary your heel heights from day to day
5. Wear shoes with a strap or lace over the instep rather than slip-ons. This will help stop your foot sliding forward, a bit like a seatbelt in a car
6. Alternate your shoes so that you’re not wearing the same pair constantly
7. Adopt a regular foot care regime to keep your feet in tip-top condition
8. Make regular visits to a chiropodist or podiatrist to keep your feet in good health.
For details of your local chiropodist or podiatrist, visit http://www.feetforlife.org/cgi-site/chiropodist.cgi
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Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 15-Oct-2008
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