How to avoid slips and falls in the workplace

Flooring conditions in the workplace can cause hazards resulting in serious injury. Manufacturing plants, for example, may have wet and oily floors, or surfaces covered in metal filings. Facilities in the food services industry may have oils, fats and grease on the floor. And those who work outside are exposed to environments where mud, rain, snow and ice are risk factors for slips and falls. There are hazards everywhere, and the proper safety footwear can help keep workers safe. 

Mister Safety Shoes is a safety footwear expert with a team of trained professionals who can offer educated recommendations on appropriate footwear for specific work environments. 

The key is the sole of the shoe. There are different soles available with varying levels of effectiveness on certain surfaces. These include:

• Polyurethane offers very good slip-resistance in indoor applications. With a good tread pattern offering maximum surface contact and channels allowing liquid to escape, this type of sole performs well on wet, oily floors, or where fats and grease are present. However, it does not do well in cold, as polyurethane tends to freeze quickly at low temperatures, losing pliability and grip. 
• Thermoplastic polyurethane soles incorporate rubber into the compound, improving resistance in cold. With the appropriate tread pattern, this material can perform well in both indoor and outdoor applications.
• Nitrile rubber outsoles provide excellent heat resistance and improved cold resistance, and they offer excellent traction in oily environments.
• Vibram soles provide excellent durability and traction in rough, rocky terrain. However, they have been known to harden in cold temperatures, reducing their slip resistance on icy, frozen surfaces.
• Vibram Fire and Ice offers excellent heat resistance and unparalleled resistance to cold, making these soles a top choice for work in icy, cold conditions.

The tread of the shoe is important, too. Flat surfaces like concrete, for example, interface well with relatively flat soles for maximum surface contact; however, rough terrain requires a deeper tread that is able to dig in and maintain traction.

There are many options to choose from, and many factors to consider when it comes to safety footwear selection. Mister Safety Shoes has a wide selection, and its team of experts can provide onsite assessments to recommend the proper footwear.

To learn more, contact Mister Safety Shoes. 

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