Work Place Flooring

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Hi, I have been asked to consult with an Occ Health and safety committee at a heavy industrial workshop.
Their concerns are preventing foot injuries and what they can do with what I presume is concrete flooring.
They spend $60 on boots and workers put in $40 (which I am told they are happy to do.)
I am not to discuss specific foot conditions or see any workers.
I will not be told of any specific type of injuries.
So a little out of my depth when it comes to anti fatigue flooring/?? for a "large workshop" :craig:
Would generally be recommending with in shoe and shoe type info.
Has anyone had experience with this?
I would really appreciate a little guidance.
(betweeen the lines I gather keeping me away from unions and them away from me may be part of the secrecy issues)
Cheers

 

G'Day Heather,

Most of the inductrial foot injuries I see taht rlate to occ. health and safety came down to teh boots. One of the local meat plants up here a little while ago provided all the employees with cheap boots and we saw a string of foot problems relating back to shock attenuation in the feet. I ended up writing a series of letters, one for each patient to suggets that they need better footwear and should be provided with appropriate lace up footwear (boots).
In terms of work boots, I seem to find it's liek runners, you get wjhat you pay for. Blue Steel, Redback, and Mack all seem to make good quality, hard wearing boots that are good and supportive and offer good shock attenuation, and the redbacks are reasonably priced, from about $120 or so. Ausie disposals I've found to be a great place to get them cheap, especially when the new season's stock comes in.

Hopefully that helps a bit!!

 

Hi Heather.

I think the main issue with these large companies providing protective equipment for their workers is they buy in bulk (low $$). They assume that every employee has the same foot type albeit in different sizes.

Maybe you could look at different styles being available to the employee and have a someone who is qualified to fit them to the employees feet.

Hope this gives some food for thought.

 

The effect of flooring on musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower extremities and low back among female nursing assistants.
Wahlström J, Ostman C, Leijon O.
Ergonomics. 2012;55(2):248-55.

 

Evaluation of two working methods for screed floor layers on musculoskeletal complaints, work demands and workload
Steven Visser, Henk F. van der Molena, P. Paul F.M. Kuijer, Berry J. van Holland & Monique H.W. Frings-Dresen
Ergonomics (in press)