Foot Health Campaign targets the workplace

‘Keep your employees on their toes – look after their feet’, is the message being promoted by the Australasian Podiatry Council as part of its national workplace campaign in 2001.

“Nearly 20% of all workplace injuries occur to the feet and lower limbs, yet workplace foot health is still a neglected area,” says podiatrist, Bernard Comerford who has over 13 years experience in workplace consultation.

Figures from the Occupational Health and Safety Commission¹ show that on average foot and toe injuries result in seven weeks off work with a cost per injury of $5,000.

“Foot problems caused by inappropriate footwear or ill-fitting safety shoes also cost time and money,” Mr Comerford says.

“Legislation mandates that employees in certain industries wear safety shoes but many employees are given poorly fitted shoes.  Because of the pressure on feet in the workplace, even small irritations can restrict a person’s mobility and reduce productivity,” he says.

Changing work practices and longer working hours are also taking a toll on the feet of Australian workers.

“More people now work shifts up to 12-hours instead of nine to five.  In many sectors, employees will spend most of those 12-hours on their feet, standing in the same position on a very hard surface.  In addition, people in the corporate, retail and hospitality sectors wear dress shoes which are hard on the feet at the best of times,” Mr Comerford says.

Standing on hard surfaces, walking in slippery or unstable environments, jumping on and off machinery or in and out of cars, all put stress on the feet.

“When you consider that during normal walking our feet absorb 1.5 – 2 times our body weight and up to 3 times our body weight during more intense activities, it is clear that feet are under enormous pressure in the workplace,” he says.

The work environment – including excess heat or cold, or wet conditions – can also have a detrimental effect on feet.

Foot problems that can occur in or be exacerbated by the workplace include stress fractures, sprains, strains, corns, calluses, in-grown toenails, tinea and chilblains.

The Australasian Podiatry Council is asking employers to look at their foot health record.  Multiple foot complaints by employees may suggest a foot health issue that needs to be addressed.

“Many people have to work in conditions that are not ideal for their feet.  As podiatrists, we understand workplace limitations and we try to reduce the risk to feet within those limitations.  Our role can be as small as helping an individual with problem feet find properly fitting shoes or expand to consulting on environmental changes such as anti-fatigue matting,” Mr Comerford says.

The Workplace campaign will culminate with Foot Health Week in October (7-14).  To register for a Foot Health Kit or to find out further information, please contact the writer on 03 9866 5906.