Toolbox talk foot protection because the human foot is one of the most complex parts of the body. Hay has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments, muscles, and tendons in each foot. To put it in context: the human body has 206 bones. That means 52 of them are at your feet.
Safety footwear protects your feet—and the rest of you—from
both short- and long-term injuries. OSHA requires workers to wear safety
footwear in specific circumstances, such as when there is a risk of an object
impaling the bottom of their foot or when there is a crush hazard.
In this toolbox meeting, we talk about foot safety: Toolbox talk foot
protection
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| Toolbox talk foot protection |
Safety toolbox talk foot protection
Since now we've not had any serious accidents to our feet or
toes, but every once in a while someone drops something on your toes or maybe
kicks something hard or sharp that puts you in bed for a while.
We found that the steel toe inside the shoe would have
prevented or at least reduced these types of injuries. Of course, there are
some accidents where a steel toe cap won't give 100 per cent protection, like a soldier's steel helmet, it will give the best possible protection. If
you don't believe this, ask a person who has dropped something sharp or heavy
on their safety shoes and then walked away without injury.
Previously safety shoes were heavy and hot. Many complained
that they were not comfortable. But today the companies that manufacture these
shoes have dedicated themselves to improving them to make them something very
comfortable, with a good presentation, and unbeatable quality.
Insulation inside the toe box prevents the shoe from getting
too hot or too cold. The toe box can support tremendous weights while being
extremely light.
After all, one cannot know when something is going to fall
on one's feet, so it is better to be sure that we wear safety shoes and we will
not have to complain.
These shoes give great protection. There is nothing better
than getting yourself a good pair and wearing them all the time and I would
love for all of you to do so.
OSHA Foot Safety Requirements
OSHA 1910:136(a) says that the employer must ensure that all
affected employees wear protective footwear anywhere they are at risk of a foot
injury. Workers should also wear them when there is exposure to hot, corrosive,
or poisonous materials.
In addition, OSHA's 29 CFR 1915.156(a) standard says that
"workers must wear protective footwear in areas where objects will fall,
roll, slip trip or puncture the sole."
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| Toolbox talk foot protection |
Remember that when you talk about footwear, you don't just
mean safety shoes and steel-toed boots. In cases where workers may sustain
lower leg and ankle injuries, you should also include PPE to cover the legs and
feet.
OSHA requires that you use a PPE or hazard assessment to
determine the risk of injury, the need for PPE, and the type of footwear
employees need before work.
What footwear should you choose? Per OSHA standard 1910.136,
your footwear must meet ANSI Z41-1999 "American National Standard for
Personal Protection - Protective Footwear", standard.
When to repair and replace safety shoes
So far we have talked about the need for safety footwear and
how to start the process of choosing the right PPE. The life cycle of PPE use
also includes shoe care. Every worker must inspect their footwear before
entering the work to look for:
·
Cracks and holes
·
Damage to buckles or laces
·
Separation of leather sole
·
Worn tread
·
Materials stuck in the soles, (for example,
trapped metal could create electrical hazards)
Any of these problems damage the protective characteristics
of the shoes. If they find a hole or other damage, they need new shoes before
starting work. It might be a good idea to add the inspection at the end of the
day, so you can ask the supervisor or storekeeper for new shoes before the next
shift.
WHAT FOOT DOES IT limp?
Throughout my years of experience in this and other
companies, I have dedicated myself to collecting experiences or problems that
many workers have been presenting to me about shoes or protective footwear. Of
all these experiences or problems, I have selected the most important and that is
what I want to talk about in this toolbox talk.
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| Toolbox talk foot protection |
You can let me know about other problems with the safety
shoe at the end of the toolbox or, if you want to do it in private, at any
additional opportunity.
PROBLEM: "My shoes burn my feet"
SOLUTION: You may be
wearing nylon or frilly socks. I recommend that you switch to natural fibre
socks (cotton or some combination of wool). This will allow your feet to
'breathe' and keep them cooler. Because the midsoles are made from a material
that does not 'breathe'.
PROBLEM: "Steel toes put holes in my
socks."
SOLUTION: Your shoes
may be too small, your laces are too loose, or you cut your nails infrequently.
PROBLEM: "My feet are always hot or
cold." (Depending on the season).
SOLUTION: If it is
winter and your feet are cold, what type of socks do you use? Natural
fibre socks help reduce perspiration and keep your feet
warmer. It's not the steel toe that keeps your feet cool, but a combination of
circulation and socks.
If a person has sweaty feet, it will be the sweat that gets
cold and makes the feet cold. The remedy is to change the socks very often. And
if a person has poor circulation, it will be difficult for an insulated boot to
keep their feet warm. The insulation does not produce heat but keeps in
footwear the heat that emanates from the foot. During the summer, it is better
to wear natural fibre socks that help the foot to breathe.
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