What safety shoes to choose for the construction site?

Whenever you are about to buy a new pair of safety shoes, you know that you have to take into consideration a number of fundamental parameters in order to choose the most suitable model for your work needs: the safety rating for the tasks you perform; seasonality; lightness, comfort and design.

But what you may not know is that depending on the type of work you perform, the positions you assume, the dynamic or static nature of the tasks you are called upon to perform, your body reacts differently and, depending on the safety footwear you wear, responds more or less favorably.

How many times have you come home after a day's work and felt pain in your legs, joints or experienced a general malaise that leaves you exhausted?

Flawed postures and inadequate personal protective equipment can, over time, cause musculoskeletal discomfort that can lead to fatigue, a sense of heaviness and fatigue until you experience real muscle and joint pain.

How can you protect yourself? Let's delve into this with a real expert on the subject!

1. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DISCOMFORT AND PAIN FOR THOSE WHO WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES?




2. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY SHOES AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT




3. RED LION: THE IDEAL CONSTRUCTION SITE SHOES FOR ALL SEASONS




4. RED LION WITH INFINERGY® SYSTEM: WORK SHOES THAT MAKE YOU RECOVER ENERGY

What can we do to prevent possible hazards? Not only the risks of accidents but also from a health point of view?

We discuss this with Dr. Michele Montagna!

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF DISCOMFORT AND PAIN FOR THOSE WHO WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES?

U-POWER

"Michele, good morning!
Before we begin our interview, I think it is appropriate to introduce you as you deserve..."

Michele Montagna:

- Doctor of Exercise Science;
- Kinesiologist recognized by theNational Union of Kinesiologists;
- Consultant and lecturer in Work Ergonomics, Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders at Work;
- Certified Trainer of Occupational Health and Safety.

In short, U-POWER could not have availed itself of a better expert!
Referring to the case under consideration-all workers working on the construction site-what are the causes of discomfort and pain?

Michele

"Thank you for your presentation and question.

The dysfunctions of the musculoskeletalsystem that affect workers - in this case, on the construction site - manifest themselves, in times and ways that are difficult to predict, through muscleretraction and stiffness that compromise freedom of movement, but this, I repeat, happens with the passage of time without the worker noticing.
In this case, we are talking about professionals who perform much of their work in a dynamic mode and are subject to biomechanical loading due to weight shifting, continuous movements, repetitive bending of the spine, bending of the legs and related squatting, climbing ladders, pylons, etc.
In predominantly outdoor conditions and subject to the elements -- hot, dry, wet, rain, vento -- which makes them particularly susceptible to rheumatological problems."

"These professionals spend a large part of their working day in dynamic mode and risk excessive musculoskeletal stress due to excessive loads. Perhaps, at the moment, these loads do not seem to have a particularly onerous measure, but over time they become evident with sudden injuries and, sometimes, without apparent cause because they are some time away from the sales reps and causative.
The outdoor working condition also makes the professional prone to exacerbation of inflammation of joints, tendons and ligaments and, if the worker is already affected, can lead to a chronic condition ."

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? CONSTRUCTION SAFETY SHOES AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

U-POWER

"You mentioned that not all ailments occur immediately but, in some cases, they can occur even after a certain period of time. So, it is not always easy to know whether one is more or less at risk, based on one's personal condition, compared to the types of work performed. What can our construction site worker do to protect themselves and prevent these types of ailments?"

Michele

"Fundamental is the use of the correct accident prevention equipment, the so-called Personal Protective Equipment.
The qualities of accident-prevention footwear are crucial not only because they offer protection in the immediate term, but because they guarantee in the short, medium and long term employment that preserves the general psycho-physical healthof workers.
The consequences in the medium and long term are the most difficult to guess, but if you are aware of the risk, then you can direct your choice of work shoes toward the most effective solutions, designed - in addition to protecting against accidents - also and above all to regulate the delicate balance of the locomotor system. In short, you need work shoes."

"We can only use our bodies efficiently when they are coordinated and in harmony as a whole. Much of our working life conditions, albeit in a varied and subjective way, the degree of freedom of movement, in the broadest sense of the word.
This means that, very often, muscle hypertonia, to wit, the lack of elasticity muscle and joint mobility, the cause of the general sense of stiffness, is determined by a multiplicity of concomitant factors.
These can be amplified by any additional risk factors such as, for example, the use of work shoes that are not suited to one's physical characteristics and the type of work one does.

Keep in mind that in recent years we are seeing a progressive increase in the number of reports of occupationaldiseases attributable to pathologies of themusculoskeletal system. This means that the worker is becoming aware of the importance of risk factors related to occupational diseases resulting from the handling of loads and subject to biomechanical loading. It is clear that beyond nationalstatistical data this problem also involves theEuropean Union seeing even theWorld Health Organization (WHO) getting involved in this regard."

RED LION: THE IDEAL CONSTRUCTION SITE SHOES FOR ALL SEASONS

U-POWER

"How then to figure out which work shoes are best for my needs? What is the difference between a safety shoe and a construction site safety shoe?"

Michele

"Thanks to kinesiology, which is the study of human movement and biomechanics that analyzes the behavior of physiological structures when subjected to static and dynamic stresses, I was able to conduct specific research comparing a common work shoe and a U-POWER shoe from the RED LION range/assortment on static and dynamic tests."

"The common work shoe proved to be rigid both while walking and while standing still in place. The sole, which is poorly deformable, does not allow a fluid plantar support, ending up generating ascending muscle-fascial tensions, towards the trunk. Moreover, the mechanical stress on the anklejointsis perceptible along with a rather abnormal physical stress on the spine, which, over time, could show the prime signs of dysfunction.
At the end of the test, I could notice a particular sense of muscle fatigue in the legs - actually, already from the first minutes of use! - with intuitable suffering of the peripheral circulation.

The RED LIONs on their part, proved up to the test administered, allowing me to put them to the test during running, gaits, changes of direction, jumps, squats, push-ups and ankle extensions .
The muscular response of my lower limbs and the sensation of fluidity of movement was interpreted as normal biomechanical functionality without restrictions of any kind. The energy return due to the Infinergy® system used and the adherence to the ground are definitely palpable, making one experience a pleasant sensation of lightness that, inevitably benefits the entire muscular-articularhealth and beyond.

In essence, U-POWER's RED LIONs, have proven to be superior and advanced, fully capable of responding to a concept of "freedom of movement" that is essential for a worker who must face his or her professional days without worries, in complete serenity.

The feeling I got from wearing the RED LION is that of not having a work shoe on my feet."

U-POWER

"Why the difference, what is it that makes U-POWER 's RED LIONs different from ordinary work shoes, and therefore safety shoes for construction sites?"

Michele

"The differences are related to the technologies used and the quality of the materials. Specifically, I am referring to BASF 's Infinergy® insert and the high-griptread."

"The tread - which is not the sole! - is the part of the shoe that rests directly on the ground (Editor's note: the sole is the part on which the sole of the foot rests and, more precisely, the front part distinct from the heel).
Let us imagine that we are working on a highly slippery surface: how would we be inclined to behave?
Instinctively, we would be driven to slow down our stride and movements, but without the certainty of a tread guaranteeing a truly safe grip. In addition, our body would tend to stiffen up to recruit as many muscles as possible in unison, in order to be ready and responsive in case of slipping and loss of balance.

U-POWER 's RED LIONsuse a high-grip tread of 0.68. And this reduces injury risk factors by allowing maximum safety of movement on the most treacherous planes during both static and dynamic activity.
From a health preventionpoint of view , perceiving the adherence of one's work shoes with relative grip allows one to reduce muscle-tension stress, that is, tension due to the fear of a ruinous fall.

In addition, a high-grip tread with sharp angles makes it possible to lighten the stride by reducing the use of energy required for movement and shifting, which has the advantages of a greater guarantee of safety, less energy expenditure and less musculoskeletal tension that may set in over time."

RED LION WITH INFINERGY SYSTEM: WORK SHOES THAT GET YOUR ENERGY BACK

U-POWER

"What about BASF 's Infinergy® system ?"

Michele

"Infinergy® is a really innovative system that is very useful in preventing dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system that affect workers and that manifest themselves, as I said before, in times and ways that are difficult to predict.

It is a systemthatcan dissipate joint and muscular stress and , at the same time, lightens the stride through the reduction of muscle metabolic cost by increasing energy in the dynamic phase of foot movement.
This insert, placed under the heel, allows energy to be stored with each step and returned during the detachment of the foot from the ground. A real boost in an anti-gravity sense and the muscles and circulation of the legs are the prime beneficiaries, although advantages are also felt on the well-being of the spine and the entire body with a greater sense of Vitality and Well-being.

Theenergy of Infinergy® imparts a lightness to the U-POWER footwear in the RED LION range/assortment that minimizes muscle-fascial and joint tensions, best affecting the worker's static and dynamicpostural balance.

It represents an effective and efficient cutting-edge technology to preserve elasticity and integrity in muscle kinetic chains-the prospect of a metabolically healthy lifestyle!"

U-POWER

"Michele, how can we help our readers understand which U-POWER safety shoes best suit their needs?"

Michele

"In order to figure out which footwear is most suitable, it is necessary to do a personal case analysis. Therefore, the only system is to provide specific advice and for this U-POWER, has set up a small step questionnaire in which different work cases, conditions of use, etc. are offered , answering which, I will be able to provide the most appropriate advice. Of course, it is a completely free advice, offered by U-POWER to its readers and, of course, the data provided are completely subject to privacy.
The answer will be provided directly by e-mail to the mailbox that will be indicated.
In this way, confidentiality is guaranteed and safeguarded."

U-POWER

"Michele, thank you for the valuable information you provided and...see you next time!!!"

And you, dear reader, don't miss this fantastic opportunity!
Fill out the Form and find out which U-POWER work shoes are best for your needs!

U-POWER, Quality and Technology at the Service of the Worker.