Stop the fall: Footwear

No matter where you work or what you do, proper footwear selection is critical. Improper footwear can lead to a higher risk of injury. Consider a few simple ways to ensure you are protecting yourself from slips, trips, and falls.

Always be sure you are wearing the right shoes for the job. You need to wear non-slip soles if working on wet or slippery floors. You may have to wear steel toe boots on your worksite. If you are working around live electricity, exposed metal toe cups can act as a conductor. In these situations, ceramic toe boots may be a better choice.

Weather conditions can also influence footwear. In the ice or snow, it can be easy to slip in the shoes you wear day to day. In these conditions, always use traction devices, like crampons or ice cleats.

If your shoes are worn out, you lose traction and increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Inspect your shoes regularly and replace them when they are worn out. If the worn area is larger than two pennies, it’s time for a new pair. Make sure to check your laces so you don’t step on them.

For more on this topic, visit saif.com/slips.