Choosing work shoes

Misalignment of the feet can lead to discomfort such as back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. Many people suffer from these problems for years without realizing that it is due to their feet. Most people have a deviating foot position that "transmits" upwards in the body. This can cause joints and ligaments to be positioned incorrectly, which can result in pain and strain injuries.

Shoes adapted to the work environment

It is very important that shoes are adapted to the work that is to be performed while also being comfortable to wear. Using the wrong shoe in different risk environments can be really dangerous.

  • Use shoes with a toe cap if you need to protect your toes from being injured by falling objects and from being pinched.
  • Use shoes with spike protection to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole.
  • Use shoes with slip protection when working outdoors in winter or in other slippery risk environments.
  • Use shoes with extra toe reinforcement when doing a lot of knee work.
  • Use shoes that are HI- or HRO-approved for work with heat.
  • Use shoes that are CI-approved and insulated for work in cold environments.
  • Use shoes that are waterproof if you work in damp or wet environments.
  • Use ESD-approved shoes when working in environments where static electricity occurs.

ESD-approved shoes

Humans are excellent conductors of electricity. A person, for example, walking on a floor, wearing a synthetic garment, or working at a bench can build up a static charge of several thousand volts. This voltage must go somewhere. Sometimes this can result in an electric shock. In a variety of industries, static discharges can damage products. This is especially true in the electronics industry where different components can often be very sensitive. A good way to prevent electrostatic discharges is to use ESD-approved shoes together with a conductive floor. In EPA areas where sensitive components are handled, ESD-approved shoes are a must.

Why is the choice of shoe and insole so important?

When you work on hard floors daily, you can get severe problems if you do not use the right shoe and insole. Misalignment can be stabilized by using the right insoles that should be in a good shoe. The body then gets better balance and posture, the pain will decrease or disappear, fatigue will decrease, and you should be able to live a healthier life.

More and more employers are beginning to realize what healthy feet mean for their employees. Over a day's absence due to foot, knee, or back pain costs the company much more than what a pair of new shoes and insoles cost. The best results for companies and staff are obtained if shoes and insoles are tried out for preventive purposes from the beginning.

Read more in our Protective shoe standard table.