The Right Footwear

Recommendations for choosing ergonomic footwear for work

In its handbook “Recommendations for choosing ergonomic footwear for work”, the Valencia Biomechanics Institute (IBV) gives the following advice:

General:

• The shoe should adapt to the movements of the feet to make them efficient and protect them.
• The shoe should provide sufficient grip to prevent falls and enable easy movement.
• The shoe should provide protection from heat.
• A good insole can improve the comfort of the shoe considerably.

In addition to the general recommendations, each workplace has certain specific characteristics which must be taken into account when choosing the footwear.

Among the requirements for footwear in the hospitality business we find the following:

• The constant movements and the changes in the shape and volume of the foot during the working day require good adaptation capacity by the shoe.
• High, narrow heels should be avoided.
• The shoe must be flexible and adapt to the wearers movements in order to prevent fatigue.
• A good capacity for absorbing pressure on the sole of the foot to prevent overloading and the back problems that are common among hospitality staff.
• Strengthening at the toe and instep will help to prevent wear and tear and provide protection when handling cutting utensils.
• The material of the shoe must be resistant to withstand the deterioration caused by contaminants.