July 2020
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Inside the July Issue |
A Step in the Right Direction:
Navigating Foot Protection During COVID-19
BY DR. KEVAN ORVITZ
If the last few months have taught us anything as a society,
it’s the importance of learning to walk a mile in each
other’s shoes.
As the economy slowly reopens and companies across the
country prepare to return to work during the ever-pressing
COVID-19 pandemic, employers and employees alike are
looking for more innovative ways to deal with working in a
“new normal”. For workers who require proper safety apparel
– such as those in manufacturing, healthcare, food services,
production, construction and machinery operation industries
– a massive part of this new normal will be looking at ways
to endure standing on one’s feet for long periods of time,
while still practicing safe social distancing.
In recent weeks, the manufacturing and labor industry has
unfortunately seen a growing number of COVID-19 cases
erupting across various states, in particular outbreaks in facilities
like meat packing plants and fulfillment centers. As
businesses begin to reopen, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) still maintains strict guidelines for
workers to “stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from
other people” and wearing personal protective equipment
(PPE) whenever possible, in order to limit the spread of
COVID-19.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) implores that businesses should “develop an infectious
disease preparedness and response plan that can help
guide protective actions against COVID-19”, and for industries
that require close in-person work, to “move or reposition
workstations to create more distance” and “rearrange seating
in common break areas to maintain physical distance between
workers.”
While foot comfort and protection are always top of mind
for the companies across the manufacturing, construction and
warehousing-based industries, there is now an additional layer
of navigating reopening the current workforce with CDC and
OSHA safety guidelines. Moreover, many employees – especially
those living with immunocompromised family members
– have strong concerns about the increased risk of contracting
the virus on the job, especially if standing in too close proximity
to others.
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