Met-Guarding Your Feet: Every Step of the Way

Ever wondered what a metatarsal guard was? Or maybe why you were required to wear metatarsal guard safety shoes at work? Believe it or not, metatarsal guards play a huge role in protecting your feet in the workplace. Everyday you get up, go to work, perform to your best ability, come home, and get up the next day to repeat the cycle over again. Not once does it cross your mind about what would happen if something were to fall on your foot at work, and throw a wrench in your daily lifestyle due to a foot injury. The metatarsal guard is there for one reason: to insure that nothing will crush your foot.Protecting Your FeetSafety is so important in the workplace. Thats why employers have to make sure that workers are always protected on the job, and feet are no exception. Metatarsal guards are a form of personal protective equipment (PPE). In other words, they protect the top of the foot from heavy weights that may cause injuries by heavy items falling, dropping, or rolling onto the top of the foot. Metatarsal guards are manufactured from aluminum, steel, lightweight composites or synthetic materials to help prevent injuries for workplace safety shoes. Maximum Foot ProtectionThe metatarsal bones in your foot are prone to injury because the front of the foot sticks out beyond the body line. This is an easy way for a rolling or falling object to collide with your foot. If you rub the top of your foot with your hand, you can feel the unprotected metatarsal bones right next to the surface of the skin. Notice how close the bones are to the skin and note that there is virtually no flesh, muscle, or fat, protecting the bones in this part of your body. With a metatarsal guard, your hooves are receiving maximum protection from a simple plate being put in your safety footwear to help prevent any type of foot injury.Next time you go to put on a pair of work shoes, pay attention to the metatarsal guard portion of the safety shoe. It might not look like much, but it is saving you a foot in the long run and protection to keep you safe on the job. Healthy feet are the key to a healthy life! To learn about safety shoes and more check us out at www.safgard.com.