Comfortable PPE footwear?

Yes, there IS a comfortable PPE footwear product that will give the wearer the same steel toe protection as that of steel toe boots, but without the weight to drag around all day, without the steel toecap rubbing on your toes, and WITH the comfort of your own favorite work-shoes.

OSHATOES™ are an alternative over the shoe style steel toe protection product that you wear over your own comfortable shoes, athletic style footwear, or boots.   They are a rubber galosh into which has been embedded an steel toe cap, the same exact type of cap used in those heavy and hard to wear boots.  But, instead of being over the sock, like the boots, this product is over the shoe.

Lightweight, averaging about 12 ounces per foot, easy to use, non-shedding, flexible and stretchable, these will fit almost everybody, man or woman.  In fact, because they are worn over the shoe, there are no sanitary issues among wearers, and therefore are ideal for factory visitors, temporary workers, and most of all, those of us who have to work all day in our own ’salt mines’.  

This product provides the same level of safety as do the boots, but also provides the relief so direly needed by those who are  afflicted with diabetes, hammer toe, plantar fasciitis or other debilitating foot problems. 

The OSHATOES™ product was invented in 1998 and has been used around the world by hundreds of thousands of people.  A comfortable addition to your required PPE.

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OSHATOES have been used by tens of thousands of individuals, many of which had foot pain and were seeking relief from the typical steel toe shoe or boot. For more information please visit www.oshatoes.com.

8 Rules For Workshop Safety

Workshops can be very dangerous places and it is up to you to ensure that you keep it as safe as you possibly can.  You need to ensure that all your staff are up to date with safety precautions and that they understand all the safety rules.  It doesn’t matter whether you have a large workshop or a small home workshop, safety is important and there are some ground rules that you should always have in place.

 

Below you will find 8 must have rules for your workshop safety.

  1. The workshop should always be kept clean.  Workshops can easily become cluttered so the onus is on your to ensure that you do a cleanup each and every day.  Make sure that all tools and equipment is returned to its proper place at the end of the day or after use.
  2. All combustible material should be kept away from any equipment or tools that produce sparks.  You should always have a place to store your gas can other flammable items.  If you use welding equipment or have a grinder you need to make sure that all paint and glass items are kept away from where these items are used.
  3. Safety goggles are a must no matter how careful you think you are.  Safety goggles are used to protect your eyes and if you are using a grinder or any other cutting tools you should make sure to have a face shield too.  These are essential safety precautions and no equipment should be used until these are put in place.  They can prevent serious injuries and by ensuring that you make it a point of wearing these items you should be able to avoid any unnecessary trips to the emergency room.
  4. All the equipment in your workshop should be properly supported.  This is to ensure that objects do not fall down or fall over causing injuries.
  5. All keep in mind sudden interruptions especially if you have a home workshop.  You never know when children or friends will come bursting in.  You should always have safety arrangements in place even if this means something as simple as putting a sign on the outside of your door when you are using cutting materials or doing something where you cannot be interrupted.  If you plan ahead you can avoid accidents.
  6. Always keep your tools in proper working order.  If you use cutting equipment you need to make sure that it is always kept sharp and up to standard.  Regular maintenance of your equipment can help to prevent accidents.
  7. Concentration is essential in a workshop environment and if you are not feeling 100% you should leave the job for another day.  Accidents are often caused because of lack of concentration.
  8. It goes without saying that alcohol and workshop activities do not mix.  Workshop safety should always be paramount and if you are feeling under the weather or emotionally unstable then you should avoid any workshop activities until you are in full control of your body and mind.

Keep your feet safe with over the shoe steel toe foot protection available at oshatoes.com

10 Tips For The Reduction Of Computer Related Workplace Trauma

When it comes to the workplace environment, accidents can happen.  There are ways to help prevent these though and this is the focus of this article.

Computer related health injuries have really increased and these are in fact the leading cause of workplace injuries.  Most people use computers in their work and some of the common complaints are neck strain, eye problems, and back pain.

There are a number of ways to reduce computer related incidents and one of these is to ensure that you follow and observe all the safety measures.  The safety recommendations for computer usage include having protective screen and ergonomic chairs to reduce strain.  It is also recommended the computer users have a break every hour even if it is just a walk to the bathroom.

Safety professionals have been advising on safety precautions for computer users in a bid to reduce health problems due to over exposure.  Prolonged usage of computers can have an effect and fatigue and physical are just some of the things you can expect.

If you experience any symptoms of fatigue or stress you will need to keep a close eye on it.  If the symptoms remain after a good night’s rest or they interfere with your work related activities then you will need to do something about it.  Below are 10 tips to ensure that your work environment is safe and healthy.

  1. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem for people who work with computers all day long.  You can counter the effect of this by taking a break every hour to relax your fingers and maybe give your hands a rub.
  2. When working at your computer your arms, forearms and shoulders should be fully relaxed.  You may need to adjust the angle of your computer to ensure that this is the case.
  3. Eyestrain is a common problem for computer users so you need to make sure that you have a quality glare filter attached to your screen.
  4. You should always ensure that the background on your computer screen is light.  Dark backgrounds are harder on the eyes.
  5. If you are typing from documents you should use a document holder and ensure that it is the same distance from your eyes as your computer monitor. You shouldn’t have to constantly look down to read something.
  6. You should rest your eyes every so often too by focusing on a distant object.
  7. You need to move throughout the day to prevent body strain and injury.  You should make sure you take a break at least once an hour even if it is just to walk around the office to stretch your legs.
  8. Your wrist should always be straight when typing so make sure that your keyboard is at the proper level.
  9. You should be completely relaxed when you are working with computers.  If you keep your muscles tense or your neck and shoulders tense then you could end up with pain and computer related injuries.
  10. A good chair is important.  Having the correct type of chair will reduce the risk of back pain and injury.  Ergonomic chairs are a must for the office and you should always have good lumbar support.

 

For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) products please visit www.oshatoes.com

Health and Safety at Work isn’t Just about Safety Shoes

Health and safety training in work is vital. It really doesn’t matter where you work. It could be a bookstore or an industrial warehouse, health and safety training is a must.

Did you know that a lot of workers don’t even know what their rights are when it comes to health and safety? Furthermore, there are some employees that have never even had any health and safety training.

Most people who work in industrial warehouses assume that health and safety for them is steel toe safety shoes but there really is a lot more to it. Where ever you work health and safety is vital and it should be implemented as part of a structured working environment.

It is an employer’s obligation to have an up to date health and safety handbook on the premises. The information in this handbook should be something that all employees are encouraged to read. These health and safety handbooks should provide relevant information and they should also target all the different levels of safety awareness in the company. They should also provide instructions on how to maintain a safe working environment not matter how large or small the company is.

Health and safety handbooks should include information on the following:

Fire hazards
• Electrical risks
• Injuries and accidents
• First aid
• Heavy lifting
• Manual labor
• Safety in and around the work premises

If the basic manual is not adequate a company can also acquire more in depth manuals.

Another thing that all work premises should contain is a health and safety poster. These posters outline the requirements, terminologies and the legal obligations of the company and its workers.

Training courses on health and safety at work should never be ignored even if a company has basic work place safety manuals. It is the responsibility of the company and its management team to ensure that their staff are kept up to date with all health and safety requirements.

If training courses are being organized they need to be carried out by a qualified person or through a recognized agency. Course can be one day courses or more intense five day courses.

No matter what industry you work in, health and safety is important and should never be ignored. Just wearing your safety shoes is not enough and you need to be aware of all the health and safety requirements in your line of work. Protecting your feet is one thing but you also need to protect your health and welfare too.

Steel toe foot protection is a small part of the overall safety plan in the workplace.  To learn about an affordable solution you can visit www.oshatoes.com

Should I Wear Steel Toes While Mowing The Lawn?

The answer is clear, yes!

Each year over 100,000 accidents are contributed to the use of  lawnmowers. Although not all of these accident involve feet, it’s a safety precaution that could prove essential in keeping your feet and toes safe from harm. Many of the accidents involve the hands and fingers due to the operator attempting to clear the discharge chute or reach underneath to clear any debris that may be lodged.

It’s safe to say, “it can’t hurt” to wear steel toe protection while doing the day to day maintenance of your yard.

It may seem like a hassle to change into another pair of shoes or boots for the simple task of mowing, but there is a solution. The safety overshoe designed to be worn over your sneakers can provide the protection you need. Not to mention, keeping the grass stains from marking up your new sneakers.

The safety overshoe is a standard rubber or galosh that has a steel toe cap embedded into the design thus providing protecting for your precious toes.

To learn more about this type of steel toe protection you can visit www.oshatoes.com

Truck Drivers and the New Safety Shoe Solution

Many trucking companies are requiring the use of steel toe shoes or boots, while on the job. Many truck drivers haul great amounts of heavy products that come on large pallets. These bundles of assorted products can be extremely heavy, and dangerous to handle. It is due to such excessive weight, that truck drivers are required to wear safety shoes.

The precaution of wearing a steel toe boot or shoe is beneficial to the workers, as well as the companies they work for. Large sums of money can be saved by preventing potential lawsuits to ensue. It is much more practical to spend the money up front on affordable safety shoes, and avoid a devastating outcome. When feet are unprotected, companies run the risk of million dollar lawsuits against them, because of different types of accidents that could occur. For example, a worker could be standing by the truck and out of nowhere a pallet could fall onto their foot, and crush it.

Safety comes first for all parties involved, and it is as simple as requiring all workers to wear steel toe shoes. There is no downside to wearing them if you find a boot or shoe that is affordable, comfortable, and easy to put on and take off.

To learn more about truck driver safety shoes you can visit www.oshatoes.com