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Special Report                                                                 Special Report




 Emphasising workplace safety with slip-resistant   feet  breathe  while  keeping  them  dry
       goes a long way in ensuring comfort.
 footwear  Even  though  cheaper  options  might
            Target Your Market More Effectively
       seem like a good idea to save money,
 afety footwear at the workplace  footwear that is most appropriate for the   SURESH TANWAR  better  quality  shoes  usually  feel  more
                    ChemImpex
 might not seem like a topic that  slip hazards, the work environment and   Head of Audit and Consultancy – India   comfortable  and  last  longer.  Check  if   IndiaChemTrade
 Swill  trend  on  social  media,  but  the workers who need to wear it can play   British Safety Council  suppliers  offer  repair  services.  Invest-
                      For subscribers only
 since  poor  footwear  choice  can  cause  a big part in preventing slips. Investing   ing  in  well-made  personal  protection   Free for subscribers of Chemical Weekly
 workplace accidents, it is an important  in high-quality protective footwear that  meets any new specifi cations for safety   equipment  (PPE)  can  save  money  in   IndiaChemTrade provides consolidated trade statistics
       ChemImpex, the trade database, tracks, on a daily
 consideration.   fi ts  well  and  is  comfortable  to  wear  footwear. The correct technical phras-  the long term by reducing the costs of   of India. The information provided here is based on the
       basis, exports and imports of chemicals and related
 for extended periods can boost worker  ing and shoe specifi cations will get the   replacing it.
 According  to  the  National  Floor  wellbeing and productivity.  most  protection  from  a  boot  against   products through the major ports in India — a vital   annual trade data published by the Directorate General
       source of commercial intelligence. Find out on-line
 Safety  Institute  (NFSI)  based  in  the   slips and other hazards.  Consider investing in technology  of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Government
          Advancements  in  technology  and
 US,  wearing  the  wrong  footwear  is  a   Here are a few tips on choosing the   how international markets are moving; where your   of India. The database can be searched by: Chemical
       competitors are exporting and at what price; where
 signifi cant contributing factor in almost  appropriate safety footwear.  Find the right match for the workplace  fabrics  have  created  puncture-resistant   Name/Harmonised Code to obtain the consolidated
       imports are coming from and how
 24% of all slip and fall incidents, and   When  selecting  slip-resistant  foot-  boot midsoles that are lighter, more com- their prices are   trade (import or export) in that item; or by Country to
       moving. Download all this data,
 failure to identify hazards or improper  Get the technical specifi cations right  wear, employers must know the work-  fortable and more fl exible. For example,  seamlessly, for a   obtain the trade (import or export) in all chemicals and
 identifi cation  accounts  for  9%  of  slip   Footwear  plays  a  big  part  in  pre-  ing  environment  well.  Different  shoe   Nanocarbon makes lightweight toe caps   related products between India and that country
       small fee — online, anytime, with no hassles.
 and fall incidents. Globally, slips, trips  venting slips, but not all shoes are crea-  materials will behave in specifi c ways,   that  meet  the  same  standards  as  steel
                                          ChemXchange
 and falls are some of the most common  ted equal. Buyers are spoilt for choice,  depending on their exposure to chemi-  caps.  Incorporating  technology  makes  risk  of  accidents  and  injury.  However,  Key takeaway
 causes  of  work-related  injury.  In  the  but  understanding  the  technicalities  cals  and  settings.  For  example,  ‘oil-  boots lighter, reducing leg fatigue.   choosing footwear that incorporates bio-  Investing  in  high-quality  foot-
                                Open to all registered users — no subscription required
                                         mechanics can reduce the risk. Footwear  wear can go a long way in preventing
 UK  alone,  they  account  for,  on  aver-  will  help  narrow  the  selection  down.  resistant’  footwear  and  ‘slip-resistant’   ChemXchange — the chemical exchange with a difference — is where you can identify your buyers and sup-
 age, 40% of all reported major injuries.  Check  for  quality  safety  standards.  footwear  differ.  A  label  stating  ‘oil-  Prioritise employee health  that supports the natural curvature of the  slips, trips and falls at work, ensuring
                                         foot can help the wearer maintain a more  worker  wellbeing  and  productivity.
          Plantar  fasciitis  is  a  common  pro-
 According  to  the  Health  and  Safety  For  example,  manufacturers  must  resistant’  may  only  mean  oil  will  not   plyers on-line, any time. This unique platform is free to all advertisers in the print version of Chemical Weekly.
 Executive, in the UK, slips, trips, and falls  prove the slip-resistant performance of  damage  the  shoe’s  soles.  Employers   blem  associated  with  safety  footwear.  natural foot position. This helps reduce  However, employers must thoroughly
                       For more information contact: 022-24044477. Fax: 022-24044450
 are, on average, responsible for around  footwear  by  carrying  out  tests  in  line  should,  therefore,  identify  the  main   The  condition  causes  acute  heel  pain  wearer  fatigue,  especially  when  boots  assess  their  workplace  and  carefully
                  Email: corporate@chemicalweekly.com or log on to chemicalweekly.com
 a third of all non-fatal major injuries to  with  the  primary  safety  standard,  EN  surfaces  and  contaminants  that  cause   due to plantar fascia infl ammation and  are  worn  over  long  working  periods,  choose  footwear  with  the  optimal
 employees. Ninety-fi ve percent of major  ISO 20345:2011. Footwear that passes the  workplace  slip  risks  and  seek  the   is common among workers on their feet  ensuring  better  overall  bodily  posture  slip-resistance  qualities,  materials
 slips result in broken bones, requiring  EN  test  for  slip  resistance  will  be  supplier’s advice on the most suitable   for  long  periods.  If  left  untreated,  the  and  minimising  long-term  injury  risk  and  design  to  mitigate  slip  and  fall
 a  minimum  of  six  to  eight  weeks  to  marked with codes indicating it has met  footwear for these conditions.  condition  can  worsen,  increasing  the  associated with standing for long periods.  hazards.
 heal. While the cost to human health is  the specifi ed requirements when tested
 priceless,  the  cost  to  employers  from  for  specifi c  conditions.  In  Germany,  Take a workplace safety risk assessment
 lost  production  and  other  expenses  is  DIN EN ISO 20345 defi nes the safety   Employers should undertake a tho-
 estimated at £512-mn annually.  footwear  requirements.  Standards  are  rough risk assessment, looking at fac-
 sometimes  updated.  It  is,  therefore,  tors such as the type of contamination
 Selecting and providing slip-resistant  essential  to  ensure  the  manufacturer  that is likely to occur, the types of fl oor
 surface present and information on the   Missed a copy !!!
 footwear’s  slip-resistance  properties
 provided  by  the  manufacturer.  It  is   For Digital Edition of this month’s issue & all other past issues
 important  to  consider  the  slip-resistance
 the footwear is likely to provide in the   Visit www.hpicindia.com
 specifi c  circumstances  at  work.  Don’t
 go  by  the  manufacturer’s  laboratory
 test results alone.
                                 PDF copies available for download
                                                   Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
 Avoid skimping on quality                   Register Now
 Choosing  high-quality  footwear  is
 like making a good investment – it gives
 benefi ts in terms of comfort, how well   Contact: For Subscription  : Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
 they  work,  and  how  long  they  last.                   For Advertising  : Mr. Vijay Raghavan - vijay@hpicindia.com
 For example, having shoes that let the


 178  Chemical Weekly  January 9, 2024  Chemical Weekly  January 9, 2024                               179


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