Trucker's leading with their toes

By: Patrick Smyth

Date: Saturday, 09. April 2011

Toe injury is an all too often occurrence in the trucking business. There are loads of hazards in and around trucks, loading docks and warehouses: heavy boxes, shifting load pallets, moving equipment, tail-gates.

The pace of work is fast too. Truckers are expected to unload quickly and move on to their next appointment. Dock levelers don't always operate smoothly and a swift kick is often required. Loads can shift in transit, resulting in heavy goods falling out unexpectedly when cargo doors are opened. Forklifts and hand trucks are in constant motion. All of this activity poses a threat to the driver�s toes as they wait for their trucks to be unloaded.

Typically, a truck driver has very little to do with the actual unloading but, as described above, the truck driver�s toes are at risk. Also typically, the unloading area is governed by statutory bodies such as OSHA in the USA. Statutory bodies impose minimum standards for workplaces with hazards, and any infraction is punished under the letter of the law.

Loading docks and cross-docks are work environments where risk assessments would indicate a potential for toe injury. According to the law, employers must provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suitable to protect against hazards identified by a risk assessment for every work environment under their control.

Even though the driver is on the dock for a short time toe protection would be required. Any truck driver will tell you that safety shoes or boots are not their favourite piece of attire. Especially long distance drivers, who are just not motivated to wear anything less than totally comfortable footwear when driving. Carrying a spare pair of safety shoes or boots in the cab isn't too inviting for most drivers either. There's only so much room in a truck cab.

The Solution

Fortunately, there has emerged a solution for anybody seeking occasional toe protection.

Steel toe overshoes are a rule-compliant alternative to safety shoes. They use the same steel toecaps as in safety footwear. This means a rubber safety toe will protect toes against impact and compression up to 200 joules which is 100 more than the minimum. One of the advantages of rubber safety toe overshoes is that they provide toe protection when necessary. A truck driver then can wear comfortable shoes all the way to the dock and then slip on toe protection before jumping out of the cab.

'Slipp-R' Safety Toes overshoes have benefits in excess of the toe protection they provide.

Being made of rubber they are sturdy, long lasting and offer good slip resistance. They are easy to slip on and off, tight fitting, waterproof and stylish to boot! 'Slipp-R' safety toe overshoes are very inexpensive compared to safety shoes, and they trap the dirt carried on outer shoes, making visits clean and safe.