Tracy Haas Depa

Winter is coming, or so whispers that chill of cold air making its way through your office. To keep warm, you may be considering using a portable space heater at your desk.

Before you plug it in, know that portable electric space heaters can present a “major workplace safety hazard,” according to Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Foot injuries caused nearly 44,000 employees to miss work in 2014, according to the 2017 edition of “Injury Facts,” a National Safety Council chartbook. Here, foot protection industry insiders discuss new products and technology, as well as how workers can help keep their feet safe on the job.

Some workplace hazards, such as an unsupported trench or a backing piece of equipment, are easy to spot. But others, such as a gas leak, often go unnoticed. That’s where instruments and monitors can play a lifesaving role.