There are so many people who work in the construction industry who still question whether or not they have to wear safety boots. Safety boots can be uncomfortable and many people think that the steel toe does not allow for good air circulation. This can make your feet hot and sweaty.
Even with this being said, safety is the main reason why people have to wear these boots and most construction sites will require that people wear steel toe boots before they can even enter the site never mind work in it. Without safety boots you will be exposing yourself to unnecessary hazards and risk and the owners of these sites are not prepared to take any risks. If something large or heavy was to fall on a workers foot steel toe boots can help to prevent severe injury.
These rules have been put in place for the safety and welfare of the workers and you need to be aware of the fact that a construction site is a dangerous place. There are so many stories of people who have lost limbs all because they failed to follow the proper safety guidelines and wear the appropriate safety wear.
Steel toe boots surround your toes and they also provide protection. If there is heavy equipment or heavy machinery in your workplace these boots can help to prevent serious injuries. When it comes to a choice of wearing metal or losing a toe, metal will always win. If you injure your foot you can actually do enough damage that you won’t be able to work again.
Steel toe boots also protect your ankles and they provide protection from falling objects and sharp materials. If you choose comfort over safety you could end up with an injury that will prevent you from working. Ankle sprains are very common for those who don’t wear safety boots.
There are some people who choose to wear steel toe boots outside of work. Steel toe boots can be used as a security measure if you live in a dangerous neighbourhood.
If you are wondering whether or not you have to wear your safety footwear let me offer you this. You only have one pair of feet and if you lose them they don’t grow back. Losing just your big toe can have a devastating effect on your life because your big toe helps you to balance. You really do need to protect your feet and if your job puts them at risk then you need to make sure that you take all the precautions that you can. Safety shoes and boots have been created for just this and when you have steel toe boots on it means that your toes are fully protected should you have any accidents.
Safety shoes in the workplace are extremely important.
Did you know that 25% of all disability claims worldwide are due to foot injury? In the USA there are over 100,000 injuries that are reported in the workplace each and every year that cost companies up to $1 billion.
This cost and the distress that employees face is not restricted to the USA and there are many countries worldwide that are not implementing stricter policies that ensure that workplace safety is adhered to. In Canada foot injuries have reduced by 60% because of the implementation of mandatory protective footwear.
Most people assume that foot injury comes from working in dangerous environments but there are a lot of other injuries that can take their toll too. Blisters, dropped arches and even aches and pain can cause employees to take time off work.
Below is a list of the most common injuries that are sustained when safety footwear is not worn.
- Crushed feet, broken bones and loss of toes. These injuries are more common in the construction industry but they are also reported in the logging and fishing industry too.
- Puncture wounds to the feet. If you work where nails, staples or even scrap metal is used then this can happen when safety footwear is not worn.
- Cuts, lacerations and severed toes are common for those who work with machinery such as chain saws.
- Burns. These can be from chemicals or hot metal splashes.
- Electric shocks. These are most common for electricians and construction workers.
- Sprains and fractures can happen in any workplace and are normally caused by trips and falls.
More and more countries are introducing mandatory safety footwear regulations to guarantee protection in the workplace. Steel toed boots are designed to protect the top of the feet. Safety boots and shoes are also been fitted with impact protection also. There are impact absorbing soles and ankle collars fitted to some safety footwear for additional support. Safety trainers are also being made that come with puncture protection. There are also anti slip safety shoes.
With so many different types of safety shoes and boots available there really is no reason not to protect your feet no matter what type of environment you work in.
When it comes to work place safety a first aid kit is essential. You might never have to use it but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Having a first aid kit at hand is necessary if there are ever any minor accidents and to reinforce this below you will find a number of reasons why every business should keep a first aid kit.
You may not know this, but it is the law to have a first aid kit on your premises. There are a lot of people who actually don’t know that this is a work safety requirement and it is one that should be enforced even if you are self employed. The Health and Safety regulations state that all employers must have adequate tools available to tend to any employee who may fall ill or sustain an injury whilst at work.
Now that we have the legalities over, the next thing that should encourage you to get a first aid kit is the fact that it really is a smart investment. Your first aid kit can contain so many items and not just bandages. You can have headache pills and pain relievers in your first aid kit. Paper cuts are something that are very common in the office work place and when this happens a first aid kit is the first thing to reach for.
In general your first aid kit should contain bandages, topical antiseptics, burn cream, adhesive tape, non woven gauze and some generic over the counter medications.
Having a first aid kit in the work place is necessary for all minor ailment and injuries and not just a requirement for severe trauma. I’m sure by now you have realized the important of having a first aid kit and if you don’t, just remember that you are in fact breaking the law.
High visibility clothing is mandatory in some jobs and there is a lot of planning that goes into the manufacturing of this. There are also many regulations that workers have to meet and high visibility clothing is one of them. The purpose of this pose is to take a close look at the main regulation standards and the different types of high visibility clothing that must be worn.
In the UK, high visibility clothing is divided into three different classes and each of these is suitable for a specific work environment. The classes can be found in the regulation documents EN471:2003.
Class 1:
Class one high visibility items are very simple and contain the minimum amount of fluorescence. This clothing type is usually worn in safer environments and the law states that these items have to have at least 0.14 sqm of fluorescent material and a minimum of 0.10 sqm of reflective material.
Some examples include work harnesses, over trousers and reflective belts.
Class 2:
These items are a little more visible than class 1 and are required by those who need to be seen clearly from a distance and up close. The EN471:2003 states that clothes that fit into this class need to have at least 0.5 sqm of fluorescent of material and 0.13 sqm of reflective material.
Some examples include short sleeved garments, sleeveless jackets, waistcoats and bibs.
Class 3:
Class three high visibility clothing is for the most dangerous of environments and this includes those who work beside the road or on a rail track. These people need to be clearly seen at all times by oncoming traffic. The law states that class 3 high visibility clothing needs to have at least 0.8 sqm of fluorescent material and 0.2 sqm of retro-reflective materials. Another aspect of the class 3 items is that they have to be reflective from the back and the front.
As you can see, when it comes to high visibility clothing there is a lot more to take into consideration than just buying a reflective waist coat or band. You have to adhere to certain regulations and know exactly what class of reflective clothing you need to be wearing.
Find safety footwear at www.oshatoes.com
There are so many eye injuries caused each year because people are not wearing the right safety eye protection products or not wearing any at all. When it comes to work safety it is important to know the possible dangers and eye hazards and the types of protection that is available.
Some of the dangers that can lead to serious eye injury through direct contact or exposure include molten metal, harmful chemicals and liquids and intense light radiation. Protective eyewear can prevent injuries and there are different styles, types and features to these products. This post will explain more about choosing the right protective eyewear for your job.
Identify The Hazards
Before choosing eye protection you need to understand the potential hazards that can lead to injury. Safety lenses can help to protect your eyes from flying particles and these can be caused from drilling, grinding, sawing and even sanding. There is also protective eyewear and face shields and these are required during welding work or anything else that might cause hot sparks or molten metal to splash. When working with harmful liquid, chemicals or gases there are special glasses that are required to help prevent exposure and injury. Any workers who use laser or welding equipment could also be exposed to UV lights or radiation and the correct eye protection is again required.
Features of Protective Eyewear
Safety glasses normally come with scratch resistance lenses to ensure their long life. Lenses are also coated to help to reduce moisture and prevent fogging. If you are welding or laser cutting then you will need the added protection for UV and infrared radiation. Frequent exposure to UV and infrared radiation can cause photokeratitis which causes sunburn on the surface of the eye. Long term problems can include cataracts. Tinted lenses can help to protect again UV radiation but when it comes to infrared radiation there are special shaded lenses.
Tinted lenses can also be used by those who need to see colours more effectively such as electricians. These are called TCG lenses.
Visibility and Comfort
When it comes to eye protection it is important that the safety glasses are comfortable to wear. Comfort and visibility play a vital role when it comes to choosing the right eye protection. There are many different styles available and there are also glasses that can fit any face. There are also thinner lenses and lighter frames so that they are more comfortable for the worker to wear.
Workplace injuries can be prevented if the proper eyewear protection is being used. If the protective eyewear is uncomfortable then workers might decide not wear them and that is why comfort is paramount. All employees should be trained properly and protective eyewear should be mandatory where required.
You can find a variety of safety glasses and eye protection at www.oshatoes.com
If you suffer from diabetes it is vital that you take care of your feet. Diabetic footwear is essential and something you must be prepared to invest in. You do not need a special prescription from your doctor for these safety shoes.
If you are covered by Medicare and you have a mandated foot care regime that has been drawn up by your doctor you may be entitled to a full or partial refund on your diabetic footwear each year. This reimbursement will also cover 3 pairs of special insoles for your shoes too.
Diabetic footwear is a medical necessity for people who suffer from diabetes and therefore most insurance companies will have reimbursement schemes available so be sure to check with your insurer to see what they will over.
If you are looking for a reimbursement from your insurance company there is certain information that will be required. Your doctor will have to complete a certificate of medical necessity to state that your diabetic footwear is a requirement. They will also have to verify that you do in fact suffer from one of the following:
- A history of foot ulcers
- A history of severe calluses that could lead to ulcers
- Nerve damage to the feet
- Poor circulation in the feet
- Deformities of your feet such as bunions or hammertoes
- Partial or complete foot amputation
You will also have to place an order for your diabetic footwear before making a claim with your insurance company as this is used for verification. Once you meet these terms and your insurance company offers diabetic footwear reimbursement, you should have no problem receiving an appropriate compensation.
Diabetic footwear is essential when it comes to maintaining and caring for your feet. If you suffer from diabetes the high glucose levels can affect your feet. This causes two main problems and one of these is nerve damage to your legs and feet. Nerve damage can cause lack of feeling in the feet and it can lead to infections. High glucose levels also cause poor blood flow to the legs and feet and if you get any sores or infections on your feet they can become difficult to heal.
Proper diabetic foot care is essential and if you are advised to wear diabetic footwear then it is a good idea to make sure that your insurance company covers this cost.
General | amavan August 17, 2010 | 
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