5 Foot Injuries in the Workplace and How To Avoid Them

Each year, around 561,000 people will have an accident at work leading to an injury. A vast proportion of these are foot injuries. While it’s easy to think of foot injuries as ‘not that serious’, foot injuries can cause significant discomfort, lead to expensive medical bills and result in time away from work. 

It’s estimated that UK workers take 185.6 million days off every year due to workplace injuries. To help you keep your employees in work, we’ve outlined the five most common foot injuries in the workplace and how you can avoid them below. 

Sprains and strains 

Sprains and strains occur when the ligaments or muscles in the food are overstretched or torn. This is usually the result of twisting movements or sudden shifts in direction. If employees are rushing around or are under time constraints, it makes these types of injuries more likely to happen. 

To prevent these injuries, it’s important to wear supportive footwear that fits well. Shoes that are too big can exacerbate sprains and strains. It’s also a good idea to warm up the muscles in your feet and ankles before you start work for the day. 

Fractures

Foot fractures can happen if there is a direct impact on the foot. Foot fractures can be in one bone or multiple at once. To prevent these types of accidents, it’s important to make sure that all the work areas are free from hazards that could cause slips, trips or falls – as these increase the likelihood of broken bones. 

To protect your feet from heavy objects falling, you should invest in some safety boots. 

Punctures 

Punctures occur when sharp objects penetrate the foot, potentially introducing bacteria and causing infections. To prevent punctures, you should keep your workspaces clean and free of sharp objects. 

If there’s a high risk of puncture wounds, it’s a good idea to wear puncture-resistant footwear to reduce the chance of injury. 

Crush injuries 

Crush injuries happen in a few different scenarios at work. Most commonly, a crush injury will occur when your foot gets caught between or under heavy objects. For example, you might get your foot caught underneath heavy machinery or between moving parts. Falling objects like tools, equipment or materials can also cause crush injuries if dropped from a height or accidentally knocked over. 

To prevent crush injuries, carry out thorough training to ensure every member of staff is using machinery safely and that heavy materials are safely stowed away. 

Burns 

Burns to the feet can occur from hot surfaces, chemicals or electrical contacts. If you regularly expose your employees to these risks, be sure to implement safety protocols for handling hazardous materials and provide footwear that’s resistant to chemicals and heat.

Final thoughts… 

In conclusion, workplace foot injuries are common – but they don’t have to be. By prioritising safety with proper footwear, ensuring hazard-free environments and offering comprehensive training to prevent accidents, you can reduce the risk of foot injuries in the workplace.