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Reduce Foot Injuries on the Job
Pedorthic Association of Canada

Foot injuries account for 10 % of all reported disabling injuries in the workplace in Canada. Approximately 15 % of those reported injuries typically result from slips, trips and falls that may be attributed to improper and ill-fitting footwear.¹

Recent surveys suggest that two out of every three workers in Canada suffer from some form of foot problem.² Common foot problems may include joint, muscle or soft tissue injuries that may occur acutely or chronically. They can occur due to long periods of standing on the job, improper foot alignment, or unsuitable footwear. Standing on the job for hours, day after day, not only leads to fatigue but can damage bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and other tissues of the feet. This can cause inflammation, abnormal wear and tear, and possibly lead to more serious conditions.

Women are typically more at risk of on-the-job foot injuries than men due to poor shoe selection.³ High heels and pointed shoes can cause unnecessary foot fatigue and pressure on the joints and provide an unstable base of support, leading to slips and falls.

A properly fitted shoe not only provides the wearer with a safe and comfortable base on which to work, it also reduces the risk of injury or accident. A shoe that does not fit the shape of the foot can place abnormal pressure on the foot. This can lead to blisters, corns, and callouses, and can even contribute to bunion formation. While blisters, corns and callouses can be treated easily if changes are made to footwear, for those with underlying diseases such as diabetes, these seemingly small problems can lead to severe complications such as ulcers (wounds that don't heal well).

A shoe with inadequate support, often found in women's dress shoes, can aggravate an underlying biomechanical problem such as excessive pronation (foot rolls inward with each step) and lead to tissue damage and pain. Having a shoe that complements the wearer's foot type is helpful in preventing many foot problems.

Some professions are at a higher risk for disabling foot injuries due to the job's mandatory footwear requirements and the physical demands of the work performed. Construction workers, factory workers, sales clerks, cashiers, police officers, teachers and nurses are some examples of professions that are more prone to these injuries.

How can these workers protect themselves against potential foot injuries? Workers should always ensure that they are wearing properly fitted footwear. Beyond the mandatory safety requirements of the job, the type of footwear selected should provide features best suited for their particular foot type.

"Shoes should be comfortable the moment the wearer puts them on," says Michael Van Vlack, President of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. "There is a misconception that shoes will stretch over time and become more comfortable. Improper fitting footwear will only result in discomfort and foot conditions such as blisters and callouses and possibly lead to even more serious foot problems such as infections."

Below is a list of recommendations to help workers prevent common foot problems:

• Consult with a local Canadian Certified Pedorthist to discuss on-the-job requirements (e.g., prolonged standing or physical activity, mandatory footwear) to help guarantee properly fitted footwear and the right features for the wearer's foot type.
  
  
• When purchasing shoes, select a stable shoe with a sturdy heel counter (the back of a shoe that controls motion) and stable midsoles that still provide shock absorption.
  
  
• Purchase lower heels and broad soles to provide a more stable base of support.
  
  
• Over-the-counter devices or custom made orthoses can help improve the function of a shoe. This can, in turn, help prevent complications from biomechanical abnormalities such as over pronation or reduce pressure on the joints and ultimately reduce muscle fatigue.
  
  
• Avoid fixed positions on the job, especially fixed standing positions.
  
  
• Arrange with an employer to take frequent shorter breaks, as opposed to fewer longer breaks. This gives employees the opportunity to change position more often.
  
  
• If any foot injury occurs, seek help from a physician. Don't let a small problem turn into a big problem.
  
  
• If a condition persists, talk to a physician and consider a visit to a complementary health professional, such as a physiotherapist or massage therapist.

By following these recommendations, workers can help to reduce on-the-job foot injuries.

For more information or to find a local pedorthist near you, please visit the Pedorthic Association of Canada website at www.pedorthic.ca.

¹ Canada's National Occupational Health and Safety Resource.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.