Safety Directors Have Spoken: Footwear Struggles You Might be Having

Episode 55

Safety Directors Have Spoken: Footwear Struggles You Might be Having

A survey sent to safety directors has narrowed down the top struggles workers have with their protective footwear. Listen along as Editor Sydny Shepard and Vice President of Marketing at Warson Brands discuss the results of the survey and more.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before: Everyone should be getting 10,000 steps a day. For some, that is a hard to reach goal as their jobs rely on desk work or other types of sedentary tasks. For others though, such as individuals in the manufacturing or construction industries, getting 10,000 steps just requires them to work a portion of their 8-hour shift, making feet tired, sore and possibly leading to chronic conditions. These industries also present numerous tasks that can bring harm to feet such as slips, trips and falls, crushing injuries and more.

So, it is pretty easy for me to say, our feet are the unsung heroes of our mobility and sometimes an overlooked or misunderstood part of any safety program. It is often said that without comfortable foot protection, a worker is risking their safety every day.

On this episode, I am joined by Brent Jennings, Vice President of Marketing at Warson Brands to talk with us all about foot protection from the perspective of a safety director. Warson Brands sent out a survey last year asking for the most pressing issues with safety footwear programs and employees’ struggles with safety footwear as well as the biggest needs for them and their employees going forward.

In our interview, Brent and I get into the results of this survey. What elements are most important in work footwear? What are the biggest problems that make compliance with safety footwear difficult? How can a safety director be sure they are recommending the right footwear for workers? Listen along to find out.

Find this episode of OH&S SafetyPod on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more.

A special thank you to:

Warson Brands offers a portfolio of six national brands and over 400 styles of safety footwear for men and women. We have been in the occupational and military footwear business since 1988. We design and engineer footwear for nearly every occupation on the planet. With us, designing and crafting occupational and duty uniform footwear isn't just a sideline, it's our passion, our one and only business. warsonbrands.com

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the former editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

  • Magid® D-ROC® GPD412 21G Ultra-Thin Polyurethane Palm Coated Work Gloves

    Magid’s 21G line is more than just a 21-gauge glove, it’s a revolutionary knitting technology paired with an advanced selection of innovative fibers to create the ultimate in lightweight cut protection. The latest offering in our 21G line provides ANSI A4 cut resistance with unparalleled dexterity and extreme comfort that no other 21-gauge glove on the market can offer! Read More

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