FEATURE FOCUS: HEALTH & SAFETY


UVEX 1 REDUCES FOOT ACHE, INCREASES GRIP AND IMPROVES COMFORT


the uvex heel support increases stability and side impact protection without limiting the movement of the foot and offers greater twist protection for reduced risk of sprains. Optimal fit, shock absorption and


flexibility provide stable support without restricting freedom of movement and the natural movement of the body. Stabilisation is provided by the general construction and external heel cup of the uvex 1 range. Alongside stable, higher sides, the uvex


The multipurpose uvex 1


Late last year, uvex was invited in to a well-known Japanese car manufacturer’s factory to conduct a footwear trial in its welding section, which was making modifications of the production line ready for a new car model


A


lthough the welding production line had been using antifatigue matting


since 2001 to try to make the workers’ life more comfortable, the matting had been splitting and wearing in places, leading to unevenness and causing slips and trips and contributing to several safety incidents. In addition, workers could not always get close enough to the machinery on the line and had to overstretch themselves. This was obviously not a satisfactory situation, so the company decided to investigate alternatives to the matting. Before the trial took place, 53 per cent


of workers reported that their feet ached at the end of their shift. The average comfort score for their shoes was only 5.69 out of 10, clearly not good enough as each person walked an average 51.9 miles during the course of each working week. Not surprisingly, workers had


complaints of tired feet when walking around the factory. The antifatigue matting did little to assuage this, so it was decided ultimately to remove it and try out safety footwear instead. The company’s assembly department


had already been using uvex 1 footwear in a perforated version for some time


8 MAY 2019 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT


with great success, so the welding department decided to trial its workers with the uvex 1 safety boot for a minimum of three weeks, alongside other makes and models of footwear. The 16 workers who took part were


asked to fill in both pre-and post-trial questionnaires on the comfort and effectiveness of their footwear and were thoroughly assessed by safety staff. The multipurpose uvex 1 is specifically


designed for excellent grip and comfortable all-day use in indoor or lighter environments such as factories, warehouses and logistics. The extremely versatile uvex 1 range


offers a huge range of possibilities. These include a perforated version for those working in warmer environments; shoes exclusively made for women (in sizes 3.5 – 6.5) using a ladies’ last to give a better, more comfortable fit; models with safety levels varying from S1, S2 to S3; and a leather model. Also available is a version with extended heel support, helping to stabilise the foot and provide greater anti-twist protection for reduced risk of sprains. The pivot point within the tread pattern


of the uvex 1 reduces pressure on joints when twisting and turning. In addition,


1 support sole provides reinforcement and corresponding support in the middle part of the foot. In addition, appropriate torsional stability makes it easier for the wearer to adjust to uneven surfaces, making it ideal for the factory environment. It has textile (not steel) penetration-resistant insoles to prevent restriction of movement. The uvex 1’s dual layer, low weight PU


sole, with removable antistatic comfortable insole, delivers outstanding impact absorption minimising potential back, knee and joint problems, particularly when standing. Elastic laces allow shoes to be quickly adjusted, slipped on or off and expand and contract as feet swell and cool throughout the day. The uvex 1 is available in a range of


sizes, from 3.5 to 17. The wearers of the uvex 1 safety boot


reported an average score for comfort of 7.8 out of 10, a 38 per cent improvement on the score of 5.69 given for their previous footwear. The wearers reported a massive 53 per


cent reduction in aching soles of their feet at the end of their shifts, together with a 35 per cent improvement in all- important grip. The uvex 1 boots were 66 per cent


lighter than their old footwear, and 31 per cent more stable, making them much safer in the hazardous workplace. The boots weighed only 1004 grams, compared with other brands that weighed over 1800 grams. Positive comments were made by all


uvex www.uvex- safety.co.uk T: +44 (0) 1252 731 200


members of the trial. The uvex 1 far outshone the other footwear products trialed: “The shoes are just amazing, especially for warehouse colleagues, who are walking for almost 11 hours a day.” Based on the results of this trial, the


car manufacturer was so pleased with its employees’ response to the uvex 1, it has gone on to place an initial stock order for 382 pairs of the safety footwear.


/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74