Why is it important to wear slip-resistant shoes in the workplace? Well, would you ride a motorbike without wearing a helmet? Or drive a car that had no seat belts? The repercussions of not providing your staff with the correct protective footwear can be just as reckless. Something as simple as wearing the right shoes can alleviate these risks.
15 percent of accidental deaths in a workplace are caused by slips, trips and falls. If that figure alone isn’t enough to make sure your employees are kitted out in suitable footwear, then here’s why it’s important that your staff are wearing the correct shoes for their role.
Why Suitable Footwear is Important
An accident in the workplace doesn’t only affect the victim, it affects the business as a whole. There are various other repercussions in addition to just the physical harm that has been done.
Accidents will hit both your business and the employee in your pockets. An accident in the workplace can leave you out of work for days and weeks at a time. Therefore, you’re not earning the same money, if any, that you were doing before the accident.
As a business, you could be left with a hefty sum of compensation depending on what injury is sustained. This is a pretty big price to pay when it could be resolved with something as simple as slip resistant and protective footwear.
Astonishingly, slips, trips and falls account for 20 percent of injuries in the workplace and a staggering 15 percent of accidental deaths at work.
A slip, trip or fall can affect the employee’s mental state too, which could leave them out of work for an extended period of time on top of the injury. The stress of bills to pay without working to bring the money in, on top of the inability to move at your full capability could really affect the person’s mental health.
When employees aren’t worried about slipping or hurting themselves at work, they're bound to do their jobs more effectively and productivity levels will no doubt be higher. Also, because the risk of them hurting themselves is minimised, employees will be a lot happier and team morale will be high, leading to a great working environment.
Your team's safety isn’t something you should gamble with, so protect them.
Take Extra Care in Summer
Industries such as landscaping, gardening, farmers markets' and parks will all be hoping for the weather to be kind to them to allow them to get into their full flow. In order for staff there to be able to do their jobs properly and in a safe manner, they will need the correct protective footwear.
Outdoor staff will need to be prepared for all weathers. Shoes that keep them comfortable and prevent them from suffering back injuries, as well as being waterproof and of course slip-resistant, would be an ideal starting point.
Outdoor staff like a butcher at the market will need a different style of shoe to a waiter in a restaurant, however. The former will need to prioritise protection from falling sharp objects over how the shoe looks.
A waiter or waitress would be likely to look for something that is going to look slick and fit in with the restaurant uniform - but can still offer slip resistance on hard, shiny floors which customers have traipsed rainwater on to.
After all, if the waiter/waitress gives off a bad impression and doesn’t look great, people won’t be likely to return. Cushioned comfort to help them through their busy shifts would also be another factor to consider.
Slips, trips and falls can result in various different injuries. These can range from pains and bruises to broken bones and even accidental deaths. Each different environment has its own respective risks. Like how, in your restaurant kitchen, somebody puts their hand out to break their fall, they could slam their hand onto a hot stove or even an up-facing sharp knife. With the correct footwear, the risk of slipping is minimised and the injury can be prevented.
Some Slips, Trips and Falls Statistics
The average slip, trip and fall accident in the workplace has resulted in an average of 11 days out of work. This could leave you understaffed and your remaining workforce may not have the capacity to cope.
Astonishingly, slips, trips and falls account for 20 percent of injuries in the workplace and a staggering 15 percent of accidental deaths at work. Is it really worth risking the lives of your workforce by not providing them with the correct protective footwear? They need slip-resistant protective footwear that works as hard as they do.
Not Sure What to Look For?
We've done all the work for you when it comes to picking the perfect shoe for work. Download our free buying guide and get the exact shoe to fit your needs.