An injury on any part of the body can interfere with a person’s overall quality of life, including their ability to effectively carry out their work responsibilities in a timely manner. But a foot injury can make it difficult for them to even stand, which is a requirement of many jobs in some capacity.
By learning about common foot injuries that can occur in the workplace, you can learn about the preventive measures that can help reduce them for your particular industry. You can also determine the modifications that may need to be made for someone with a foot injury.
4 common foot injuries in the workplace
No matter what type of industry you work in, it’s possible for your employees to sustain a foot injury. While some are the result of accidents or trauma during labor-intensive tasks, others can stem from overuse of the feet.
Here are four common foot injuries that can occur in the workplace:
- Slip and fall injuries — There are a variety of ways that a foot can be hurt when an employee slips and falls in the workplace, such as a contusion, sprained ankle or torn Achilles tendon. Slips and falls can occur in any workplace, as it only takes a piece of misplaced equipment, ignored spill or uneven flooring to occur.
- Plantar fasciitis — When an employee is on their feet all day, it can impact the plantar fascia, which is tissue that stretches between the heel and the toes. It can become inflamed due to standing too long or wearing improper footwear. Plantar fasciitis can cause stabbing pain, especially when there’s pressure placed on it.
- Achilles tendinitis — Another common issue from an employee standing on their feet for extended periods of time is Achilles tendinitis. In this injury, the Achilles tendon, connecting the calf muscles to the heel, becomes inflamed. This can cause aching pain in the back of the leg or heel.
- Stress fractures — Putting frequent pressure on a bone in your foot, such as repeatedly stepping on a machine pedal, can cause small, hairline cracks in the bone. A stress fracture can develop gradually over time, with the pain worsening when it’s bearing weight.
Work-Fit can help you prevent common foot injuries in the workplace
Your employees' health and safety should always be a main priority, which is why it’s important to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of common foot injuries. That’s what our injury prevention services are here for. We can help you encourage preventive habits to keep your employees from hurting their feet on the job.
Contact our team today for more information about our services or to learn how we can help keep your employees healthy.
