Slip-Resistant Shoes for Employees

Did you know that slip, trip and falls are the most common cause of workplace injury, accounting for nearly 40 percent of all reported injuries? The National Safety Council estimates that more than $70 billion is spent annually for worker’s compensation and medical costs linked to falls that occur at work – and when it comes to accidental deaths, only motor vehicle accidents outrank slip, trip and falls. Slip-resistant shoes can help businesses reduce worker’s compensation claims, eliminate workdays lost due to injury, and retain employee productivity.

So, why so many slip and falls? Environment plays a huge role. Consider the myriad of contaminants that may enter your work environment, such as grease, water, and floor cleaning solvents. Then add to that surface changes, such as abrupt transitions from pavement to tile, linoleum, or carpet.

The bottom line is that employees who wear tennis shoes, heeled shoes or other inappropriate footwear increase their chances of slipping and falling because of inadequate tread on the sole or because the sole itself many not be made of the proper slip-resistant materials.

You may want to strongly consider developing a slip-resistant shoe program, especially if your business is a restaurant or auto service venture. Make slip-resistant shoes a part of the uniform and assure that managers follow up on this in detail. Unlike most of the other uniform requirements, this one exists for the safety of your staff and is there to reduce the potential of a huge employer’s liability loss. When implementing this program, keep in mind that you may want to limit the number of shoes which are approved for staff use. Doing so reassures that with a quick visual inspection you can confirm your staff members are compliant. Look for shoes with a label stating that the footwear is skid-resistant, and confirm that the footwear is rated with a “Coefficient of Friction” (CoF) of 0.4 or higher. Also consider these other footwear features:

  • Laces that can be tightened (laced should always be tied)
  • Soft and easy-to-clean material with a padded ankle for support
  • Shoes made of a non-porous material
  • Resistance to water and grease
  • A tread that channels liquid out from under the shoe

Slip-resistant shoes are vital in high slip, trip and fall environments. For more safety solutions, browse through our Risk Control Library for handouts and useful websites to help facilitate your safety and health efforts.

Latest Articles

The Benefits of Active Listening in the Workplace

When people on a team struggle to listen to each other, they can become disconnected.  Active...

Can You Use FMLA for Mental Health?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees qualified workers the right to unpaid leave for...

Why Remote Teams Need Inclusive Workplace Practices

For most businesses, remote work is now a way of life in some capacity. Advances in technology and...

How to Motivate Employees as a Manager During Uncertain Times

As a manager in the restaurant industry, it can be challenging to motivate your employees during...

3 Reasons Why Authenticity in the Workplace Matters

Regardless of industry, a business is only as strong as its employees. Even the best products,...

Top Advice For Graduates Trying to Start a Career

As of 2020, there is an average of over 4 million students who have graduated from colleges in the...

7 TIPS TO HELP PREVENT PIPE BURSTING THIS WINTER

Originally published January 29, 2019, updated January 18, 2023. Many parts of the country are no...

A Guide to Safe Keg Handling

At one time or another, almost everyone who works in the restaurant and bar industry has been...

2022 Year in Review

Society Insurance is committed to providing blog posts to help business owners optimize daily...

Stay up to date with industry updates by subscribing to the Society Insurance blog!