In this article
Safer steps for teams in hazardous warehouse environments
Industry Sector:
Chemical manufacturing
Product/Service:
Safety shoes, health and safety compliance
Application:
Warehouse environment
Customer Benefits:
Health and safety compliance
Improved health and safety
Productivity savings
Upgrading footwear to empower high-mobility workers
A manufacturer specializing in chemical production decided it was time to upgrade their safety footwear when an employee sustained a foot injury, so they turned to ERIKS for assistance. Arthur van Galen, Application Engineer at ERIKS, leveraged his PPE expertise and worked with their team to find footwear fit for their purposes.
In this case study, we walk through the steps in the selection and testing process that led several employees to Jalas's safety shoes, while demonstrating the importance of sound partnerships in protecting an organization’s most impactful asset: its people.
Why the right shoes makes a difference to high-mobility workers
When choosing the right occupational footwear, it’s important to think about actively preventing accidents and combating the kinds of everyday risks that lead to serious injuries and disorders. Yet, despite their value, one report shows that nearly 45% of employees say discomfort from safety shoes hinders their ability to work effectively.1
Investing in better PPE is as good for safety as it is for business. EU-OSHA points to the economic argument: for every euro spent on occupational safety and health, companies can see returns of up to 2.2 euros.2 This proves that spending on safety isn’t just about avoiding costs from injuries—it’s about enhancing overall business efficiency and productivity.
The customer: A global organization specializing in research, science, and nutrition
The company is recognized for its research, development, and innovative solutions across a range of industries, such as nutrition, health, and beauty. For a large organization like this, inadequate PPE or injuries that occur if someone unintentionally sidesteps protocol could have regulatory consequences.
It’s evident that rigorous quality control and safety measures matter. And since the customer had tested safety eye-wear with ERIKS in the past, they sought application engineer Arthur van Galen to assess footwear that met their specific employee needs. Together, they explored high-performance footwear options that could meet their rigorous safety standards and reduce the risk of injuries, turning a reactive response into a proactive safety strategy.
If the safety shoe fits
For the customer, wearing safety shoes is a "must" in certain danger zones to prevent long-term damage. This includes protection against falling objects, wet and dry conditions, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and splashes or slips from chemicals or metals. Additionally, shoes must protect against cuts, burns, or injuries in areas where sharp objects like nails might be present.
Employee activity and a full range of foot-related injuries must also be considered. It isn’t just a matter of steel-toe boots defending one against a heavy object; there are long-term issues that stem from being on one’s feet in a shoe that doesn’t fit correctly. This includes shoes that are heavy and don't account for differences in transpiration, foot shape, or pre-existing issues. Some injuries are immediate; others develop over time. It was therefore key to the customer and ERIKS that these considerations be included in the selection of the right PPE footwear.
Which safety shoe is best for which working environment?
Learn about selecting the right safety shoe in our detailed blog post. This resource dives deep into the latest safety footwear standards and offers practical guidance on selecting the right shoes for various industrial needs, ensuring both safety and comfort for workers.
The First Steps Toward Better PPE
To address the customer’s safety concerns, Arthur began an evaluation process. The goal was to identify footwear that not only met the organization's high safety standards but also provided better comfort and support.
Step 1: Initial consultations and brand selection
Employee selection
Arthur coordinated a test with several warehouse employees to learn more about the challenges they faced. The initial consultation included interviews with the testers, one of whom struggled with heel spurs, which made standing and walking difficult. Another tester simply wanted a more comfortable safety shoe for transitioning between day-to-day work activities.
Safety shoe requirements:
- Custom fit for comfort and safety – This is vital for ensuring that shoes fit exactly, enhancing safety and comfort simultaneously. Instead of wearing shoes that are too large to accommodate wider feet—increasing the risk of tripping and other accidents—employees could choose shoes that matched their exact foot profile.
- Adaptable and ergonomic design – The shoes should support different foot widths and weights, allowing for a safer and more productive work environment. Moreover, the option to select from multiple shoe widths prevents the need for frequent changes to different insoles, saving time and reducing the logistical burden.
- Weight considerations – Improper shoe weight can exacerbate back pain and other musculoskeletal issues. Therefore, shoes should be designed with cushioning that adapts to different weight classes, provides support, and reduces strain.
Testing setup
Arthur and his team collaborated closely with the customer and used foot scanning technology to gather data on employee foot dimensions and arch type, so the chosen pair offered the best support for correcting posture and boosting comfort. This hands-on, personalized approach deepened the customer’s understanding of how the shoes and PPE overall affect daily operations and employee well-being.
Based on the test employee's requirements, Arthur and the customer reviewed several options.
The Right Safety Shoes from Jalas
“I recommended testing the Jalas brand because these shoes are lighter and more comfortable, which is beneficial for all-day wear. They also include insoles that offer corrective support for the foot and entire body column. They (the customer) had previously tested multiple shoe brands, but those did not provide the same support as Jalas shoes," Arthur adds.
Step 2: Identifying specific Jalas footwear models
With all the above information carefully considered against different safety shoe models, Arthur collaborated with Jalas to choose from their wide selection of occupational footwear.
These were the top 3 shoe models chosen for the test:
Jalas Zenit 1718: Soft, light and ergonomic mid-cut safety boot with BOA® Fit System and highest (S3) level protection.
Jalas 9998: A waterproof safety boot with GORE-TEX with uppers in highly protective full grain leather and functional textile for support and protection.
Jalas Gran Premio 1828 Jupiter: A wider fit mid-cut safety boot with highest (S3) protection, water-repellent and anti-static outer. Oil and heat-resistant nitrile outer sole for extra grip.
Step 3: Monitoring on-the-job use
Arthur coordinated the test phase so that several employees wore Jalas shoes throughout their 40-hour work week
Testers were then provided with a scoring sheet based on work-place specific criteria (comfort, foot protection, and overall experience)
Ratings received were overwhelmingly positive, particularly from those who struggled with preexisting heel-related issues
These trials were instrumental in assessing the shoes' performance and comfort levels throughout the day
Employee feedback
The impact of introducing Jalas safety shoes for these workers was significant. Tester responses ranged from a marked improvement in comfort to reduced complaints of foot fatigue and heel pain.
Summed up in a quote from one employee who addressed Arthur directly: ‘This is a great shoe, it's very comfortable, and it works for me.’
According to another employee who trialed the Jalas Zenit 1718, they had 'finally found a work shoe that helped with heel spurs [and can] walk a lot more smoothly'.
Expert Insights
Arthur shared his personalized approach to safety gear by emphasizing that "each employee's needs are distinct, and generic solutions often fall short. With Jalas shoes, we implemented foot scanning technology to ensure each shoe fitted perfectly to the individual's foot shape and size."
This approach not only improved comfort but also compliance, since employees are more likely to wear properly fitted shoes consistently.
His solution-oriented expertise in navigating the complexities of PPE regulations and his ability to translate specific issues into effective solutions were instrumental in this case study. And the employee feedback nicely illustrates the practical benefits of choosing PPE without a one-size-fits-all approach.
Moreover, when guided by an expert like Arthur, the entire process surrounding PPE investment is simplified. With the right partner, what could traditionally be a long and drawn-out venture to find a tailor-made fix is now scalable and centralized.
What’s next for ERIKS and the customer?
Looking ahead, the success of this project has paved the way for ERIKS to develop further safety-focused initiatives with the organization in other PPE categories.
The insights provided by Arthur and the positive feedback from the test employees show the value of investing in high-quality safety solutions: fewer injuries, enhanced comfort, and boosted productivity.
ERIKS is dedicated to continuously challenging and refining solutions so that we can better meet the changing needs of our partners. This case study is a great example of our safety-mindedness and specialism in action. By integrating the essentials of PPE in industrial environments, we focus on safety, which not only boosts operational efficiency and employee well-being but also optimizes the total cost of ownership (TCO).
Resources
ResearchGate. (2022, July). Prevalence of foot problems associated with wearing safety footwear in factory employees.
Osha Europe. (Accessed 2024, May). Good OSH is good for business.
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