Many occupations, especially in the food service industry, see increased risk of slip and fall injuries. These incidents, which can sometimes involve costly treatments through workers’ comp, can be largely prevented though slip-resistant shoes, which have soles designed to grip slick surfaces.
These shoes are especially necessary in restaurants where cooking grease from fryers, freshly cleaned floors, and spills pose significant safety hazards.
Preventable injuries stemming from a slip and fall, be it a fractured wrist or a broken arm, can become quite costly, which is why slip-resistant shoes are recommended by safety experts and insurance providers.
A study from the Liberty Mutual Group examined what factors lead workers to wear slip-resistant shoes. While there are many studies out there attesting to how much slip-resistant shoes prevent injury, no study has been done examining the factors behind the decision to wear or not to wear.
In total, 475 workers in 36 limited-service restaurants across the U.S. were asked whether they wear slip-resistant shoes to work. Their employers were asked whether they provided shoes or if they provided any guidance on shoes to purchase. The survey also examined the establishment’s kitchen floor “coefficient of friction” (i.e. how slippery the floor was ).
Of the 475 workers surveyed, over 2/3 of them wore slip-resistant shoes…a pretty significant number.
The survey also found that women were more likely than men to wear these shoes. Usage among teenage workers (age 15-19) was the lowest of all age groups. The study also showed that use of slip-resistant shoes was lower for employees who received no guidance from their employer. Providing shoes essentially guaranteed their adoption the study concluded.
In order to avoid costly workers’ comp claims, it’s important businesses consider all hazards to their employees. Taking precautions ahead of time can ensure insurance costs remain low and that you have a lower chance of disruption due to injury.
Most importantly, you will protect your employees from injuring themselves while working.
