Construction workers all day long lift and heave, carry and climb, twisting their bodies into awkward positions to reach corners and ceilings. They scale walls. They work on rooftops, perched on support beams or thin ladders. These people definitely have more than their fair share of foot problems. When a construction worker has foot pain, his safety is in jeopardy. A pang at the wrong moment can disturb his balance or focus, and when you’re walking on a thin platform 50 feet in the air, balance and focus are the things that keep you alive.
Ill-fitting boots are the construction worker’s kryptonite:Avoiding the blisters and bunions. Any ill-fitting shoe can cause blisters, as can thin, stiff, or otherwise inappropriate socks. When you get new work boots, make sure you break them in before you start wearing them on site. A day in ill-fitting steel-toes can really rip up even the toughest feet. Once you’ve got a blister, take good care of it. Keep it clean and bandaged. Contrary to popular opinion, giving the blister “air” doesn’t make it heal faster. Using antibiotic gel and a band-aid is your best bet.