I work on concrete floors and I stand for 8 hours every day. What can I do to keep my feet and legs from aching?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60,000 foot injuries result in missed work days per year. 75% of these injuries occur when workers are not in compliance with the safety guidelines provided by OSHA or their workplace. The average cost of a foot injury which results in a lost day of work is $9600.00.

Foot pain can occur as an injury such as a puncture, crush, sprain, laceration, burn, shock, slip, trip, fall, etc. Pain in the foot can also be a result of overuse. More commonly, heel pain, arch pain, ball of the foot pain and ankle pain are experienced due to workplace overuse and fatigue.

What should be considered first when a person stands all day at work?

Three important considerations for a standing job are:

1. Changes in working/standing position: Work should be organized so that the worker has some choice about his/her working position and an opportunity to change position frequently. A workplace that includes an optional seat (chair, sit/stand stool) and some kind of footrest increases the variety of body positions and encourages frequent changes between them. Some companies have tried job rotation which has teams of workers rotate to various positions of work to reduce the standing for prolonged periods. Frequent breaks of shorter duration are better than fewer long breaks for our feet.
2. Footwear: Footwear is a factor which, if properly chosen, may further reduce the harmful effects of prolonged standing. There is no doubt that the choice of footwear is an important consideration for people who work on their feet. Shoes should ensure adequate arch and heel support and cushioning while providing comfort to the wearer. At Columbus Foot and Ankle Clinic, our physicians provide specific advice regarding shoe choices for all types of standing/walking jobs.

1. Flooring: The type of flooring used in the workplace has an equally important influence on comfort, especially on tender feet. Hard, unyielding floors, like concrete, are the least comfortable surface to work on. Walking on a hard floor is similar to the impact of a hammer pounding the heel at every step. Wood, cork, carpeting, or rubber – anything that provides some elasticity – is generally gentler on workers’ feet. More than that, softer floor coverings reduce fatigue and improve safety by reducing slips and falls on slippery floors. Anti-fatigue mats have proved again and again to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. They have also been associated with higher risk of tripping if installation was improper or the mat is poorly designed. Mats should be evaluated on the job and workers should provide feedback as to their most preferred mat before a companywide change is made. The guarantee or warrantee on matting should also be considered as the longer the warrantee the more likely the mats are made from durable material.

Any foot trouble which lasts for more than 3-5 days could be the beginning of a serious condition and should be evaluated by an experienced podiatric physician. At Columbus Foot and Ankle Clinic, our physicians work with local employers to help make changes to a patient’s workplace/foot gear in order to keep that person pain free and on the job. Dr. Hladik, Dr. Hubbuch and Dr. Olsen at Columbus Foot and Ankle Clinic are available to meet all your foot and ankle needs. Call our office today to schedule an appointment at (812) 372-6274.

Dr Travis Hubbuch, DPM

Columbus Foot and Ankle Clinic, PC