Aug 24 2005
Workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors demand safety -- and when it comes to footwear, there's no exception. Evidence suggests that some employees choose footwear that meets ANSI/ASTM standards but lacks comfort -- which safety managers say is critical for avoiding on-the-job injuries.
As a result, safety managers increasingly are encouraging their workers to try on shoes not just for fit, but also for comfort. And they are demanding that footwear manufacturers have a variety of work shoes readily available that are appropriate for a variety of job functions.
"Footwear is an essential workplace tool for my employees," said A.J. Hale, environmental, health and safety engineer at Tenneco Automotive. "If someone doesn't have a good, comfortable pair of shoes, they run a higher risk of on-the-job injuries, which in turn can lead to higher operating and health- care costs for the company."
Technologically engineered with the working professional in mind, Timberland PRO(R) work boots stand up to extreme worksite demands and provide protection against the most common hazards. Because proper footwear is critical for on-the-job safety, Timberland PRO offers an array of boots for a variety of workplace environments. Timberland PRO also leads the industry in terms of customer satisfaction. For the last two years, Timberland PRO has been one of the fastest-growing U.S. brands in the professional work boot category (according to NPD data) and boasts a less than one percent defective return rate.