Tips to improve comfort when standing all day while working.

You know that moment when you are are standing for an extended period at work and you start to notice an ache in your feet and you begin to shift your weight back and forth. You might even start to feel discomfort in your legs and back. 

This guide will help you understand the main contributors to foot discomfort and what to look for in safety shoes and work boots when standing at work.

Which causes more discomfort, standing or walking?

According to an article in OHS Canada magazine, researchers from Simon Fraser University studied this situation and had workers wear smart insoles equipped with sensors to measure how much time they spent standing, sitting, and walking during a shift. The research focused on the link between prolonged weight-bearing and foot pain.

Preliminary study findings suggested that prolonged standing without movement may increase the risk of foot pain and other soft tissue injuries. By understanding how and when workers are placing the most stress on their feet, employers can tailor prevention strategies more effectively. For instance, if data shows that foot strain peaks during certain tasks or times of day, scheduling breaks or rotating duties during those periods could help reduce injury risk. Additionally, this research could influence return-to-work programs by helping identify which job tasks may aggravate foot injuries, and which allow for safer recovery, potentially leading to fewer injuries and faster recovery times. You can read more here

Between standing and walking, the fact is that walking shifts weight back and forth while standing doesn't, so the full impact of your body weight is absorbed. Either way, the impact of working on your feet is equivalent to two or three times your weight. Over the course of a workday, that's equivalent to the weight of a cement truck!

Reduce foot fatigue, reduce the risk of injury. 

While foot aches and pains are among the most common complaints, in a work environment where walking and standing on hard surfaces is common, the issue can become much larger and potentially lead to health and safety issues. Foot fatigue and stress can lead to distracted working and contribute to safety issues like slips, trips and falls. Not to mention the leg and back strain that is directly linked to our feet. Any number of injuries can happen as a result of distracted working due to foot fatigue. Foot injuries accounts for 10% of all workplace injuries but also contribute to MSD (Muskuloskeletal Disordersl) which accounts for surprising 67% of all WSIB claims.

Choose the right footwear for your feet AND your work environment.

How do you help reduce foot strain and fatigue on the job? Good quality footwear. Not only work boots or safety shoes that best suited for the work but also the surfaces you stand and walk on. 

Choose the right level of cushioning for your specific work.

For someone who moves all day in a warehouse, a lot of cushioning can be the equivalent of walking on wet sand - requiring more energy from legs and feet to move. On the other hand, a light safety shoe designed with a supportive midsole will help provide stability and comfort to the entire foot. If you work outside on rough or uneven terrain, additional cushioning in the mid-sole will help stabilize your feet and keep them feeling more comfortable. 

Wear insoles. They absorb shock and support your feet. 

Insoles are one of the most underrated methods to help workers reduce foot, leg and back strain and can become an important part of employee health & safety on the job. Insoles provide an additional layer of comfort, shock absorption and support, specifically for the arch of the foot. Because feet are the foundation of the body, wearing insoles can help relieve foot, leg and back strain and help contribute to reducing MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders).

At Mister Safety Shoes, we are committed to providing the best safety footwear for each worker so they are safer, more comfortable and confident on the job. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or contact our business solutions team if you’re looking for a safety footwear program for your company.