5 Safety tips for employees standing on their feet all day at work

If your team is working long shifts, it is likely they are experiencing pain and discomfort from standing on their feet all day. Industries such as healthcare, construction, hospitality, and food service experience some of the hardest and most demanding working conditions. Their days are filled with lifting and bending, moving constantly, and standing for long periods of time. Standing occupations run a higher risk of foot pain and musculoskeletal disorders so it is important to work on preventing serious long-term conditions. 

There are a number of things that can be implemented into a working environment that can help prevent your staff from developing long-term painful conditions. We are going to discuss and share some safety tips to help protect your employees who are standing on their feet all day. 

Conditions that can occur from prolonged standing

Reducing the hazards associated with prolonged standing will not only improve your workers’ health and lives, but it will also help create a safer working environment. A safer, more comfortable environment will result in happier, more productive workers. 

Conditions that can occur when workers stand on their feet all day include: 

• Lower back and leg pain 
• Cardiovascular stress 
• Chronic fatigue 
• Musculoskeletal disorders 
• Neck and shoulder discomfort 
• Varicose veins 

Long periods of standing end up reducing the blood supply to the legs resulting in accelerated rates of fatigue and tiring of the muscles. Proper, well-fitted footwear can not only help reduce the risk of slips and falls but also provide much-needed support. 

We have some helpful ways to ease aching feet and help your team stay safe while on the clock. At Shoes For Crews, we offer a complete solution to help you protect your team and avoid costly accidents in the workplace.

5 Safety tips to help employees alleviate foot pain at work 

With Shoes For Crews, our experts can assist in helping you find customised footwear and reduce up to 80% of expensive slips and falls. 

We know your company wants to be proactive about employee safety. One of the best ways to do that is by preventing slips and falls by offering full foot protection for your team. In addition to this, we have compiled these five safety tips for workers who are standing on their feet all day. Read on to see which ones you can implement for your company.

Sit-stand stools or chairs

An easy way to add extra support for employees who are standing on their feet all day is to supply sit-stand stools. These types of rest chairs or stools can be placed near workstations for easy access to them during breaks.

And while stools can offer physical support, Shoes For Crews shoe styles are specially designed with this problem in mind. Their lightweight, multi-layered design helps take pressure off the feet and legs.

Anti-fatigue mats

Standing or walking on hard surfaces for hours on end can add pressure and strain to the legs. Walking across different types of floors like concrete to carpet or tile to wood floors can also add stress to the body. For extra support, you can add anti-fatigue mats around high-traffic parts of the workplace, especially near different work surfaces.

Incorporate suitable rest periods

It’s important to note that incorporating adequate rest periods into your employees’ timetables is key in helping reduce foot pain. Workers who suffer the most discomfort and pain from being on their feet all day tend to spend the majority of their time standing.

By giving workers the ability to take short, frequent breaks, you will be influential in helping them reduce the risk of developing more serious health conditions. When possible, encourage them to elevate their feet while taking a seated break.

Frequent position changing

Repeated, repetitive motions can cause stiffness and pain in the joints and muscles. That is why it is important to vary movements and not bend extensively or get into uncomfortable positions. 

Avoid extreme bending, stretching, and twisting if possible. Overextension of the ankles or knees will only increase the risk of injury. Suggest breaking up their routines by adding more movement and stretches in between breaks or busy moments on the job.

Supportive, durable footwear

In today’s world, you can select industry-leading safety footwear that reduces slip and trip accidents. By protecting your workers, you also will end up protecting your company, employees, and profits in the process. 

One major benefit of our shoe styles at Shoes For Crews will take the load off their feet and your team will feel like they can get through the day without a break. They are the preferred choice when it comes to managers who are searching for the best shoes for standing all day.

Shoes For Crews is the leader and pioneer in slip-resistant safety footwear, and trusted by top restaurants, hotels, healthcare systems, manufacturers, and small businesses across the UK.

Do your employees complain that their feet hurt after work? Let us help you take the next step in protecting your team or updating their work shoes. If you would like to learn more about a specific shoe style or if you would like a recommendation, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to give you more information and help guide you.