As you may or may not know, ill health caused the loss of over 35 million working days in 2022/23, according to statistics from HSE made with data from the Labour Force Survey. The most common work-related health issues are anxiety, depression and musculoskeletal disorders. At Shoes For Crews we can help prevent the latter with footwear that is designed to keep employees comfortable and safe during their shifts, keep reading to discover how.
How can we prevent musculoskeletal injuries?
Musculoskeletal disorders affect muscles, joints, bones and/or tendons, and they can result in staff working slower, less hours or taking time off to recover, thus losing working days. The best way to fix this particular issue is a good prevention plan, which should include the right shoes for the job.
At Shoes For Crews we prioritise safety, comfort and style in our footwear. Preventing injuries and accidents is a part of our DNA, which is why we developed some of our patented safety features, such as the slip-resistant rubber we use for our outsoles, and our TripGuard technology. Continue reading to find out how we can help workers prevent injuries short and long term.
Shoes can prevent accidents and short-term work-related injuries
Tripping and slipping are two of the major concerns we address at Shoes For Crews, although there are other safety measures built into our shoes to protect workers from potential accidents. Here are a few examples:
- Non-slip rubber outsoles. The material we use for our outsoles is patented and tested to keep your staff safe while walking over potentially slippery surfaces. In the case of safety shoes, they are designed following footwear standards such as the EN ISO 20345:2022.
- TripGuard. This feature prevents your staff from tripping when walking over different surfaces by adding a curve and a tighter lug pattern on the outsole.
- Composite or steel toe. With resistance up to 200 joules, this feature will keep staff safe from compression or heavy objects falling on their feet.
- Puncture proof outsole and steel shanks. This safety feature keeps the worker safe when walking over potentially sharp objects that might go through other soles and cause an injury.
Fend off long-term musculoskeletal illnesses and injuries
Accidents are not the only danger that can threaten workers. As we mentioned earlier, MSDs can develop due to awkward or strained movements and positions over a long period of time. There are measures workers can take, such as stretches or exercises, but we believe wearing the right shoe can save a lot of pain further along the way, as well as help reduce how many sick days staff request because of work-related injuries. Here are some Shoes For Crews features that can help prevent chronic aches:
- Removable and cushioned insoles to relieve stress from the feet and ankles while working, perfect to avoid muscle strains not only in the legs, but the lower back as well.
- Lightweight styles that allow for more comfortable movement over long periods of time, helping the worker maintain a better posture and preventing MSDs.
- Airbag in the outsoles for extra cushioning and support during long shifts.
- Adjustable straps or similar fitting features to keep the shoe in place, especially for styles that don’t have laces. This may not seem like much, but the right fit can go a long way, preventing the strains that can arise when walking with a shoe that is too loose or too tight.
Let us help you prevent work-related injuries and the subsequent loss of working days with our footwear. If you would like to know more about a particular safety feature, or you have any questions about our footwear range and which shoe would be best for a specific role, get in touch with us, and we will be happy to give you more information.
