Diamond's Quick Guide to Knee Pads
Posted by Jill Glen on 1st Jun 2023
There is some safety clothing which is non-negotiable. When you need protective footwear, a hard hat, or hi-vis wear, you put them on, no questions asked. But when it comes to other PPE, like knee pads, many tradespeople consider them as optional. If you have a take-it-or-leave-it approach to knee pads, let us do our best to convince you that the two extra minutes it takes to put them on before you start work will be worth it.
Why are they worth the effort?
Knee pads have two key benefits. Firstly, kneeling for any length of time is not comfortable, but knee pads can help you find some relief when you are working low down - laying flooring, tiles, roofing, gardening, or working with underfloor plumbing or electrics.
Secondly, they stop you from injuring your knees – ever knelt on something you wish you hadn’t (like that time I didn’t see the carpet gripper rod)? Knee pads protect your knees from blunt and penetrative injuries, and they can also help you to protect your knees from general wear and tear.
Long-term benefits
The repetitive impact of getting up and down is cushioned by a good pair of knee pads. They take the pressure off your ankles and shins, and help to prevent side-to-side movement in the knee joint. While slips, falls, and other accidents are responsible for many injuries in the trades, musculoskeletal problems such as shoulder, back and knee problems are the leading cause of lost working days in the UK.
The two long-term problems that affect people’s knees are Osteoarthritis and Prepatellar Bursitis, more commonly known as Arthritis and “Housemaid’s Knee”. Arthritis in the knees happens whenever the protective cartilage wears down, causing a huge reduction in mobility which can be devastating for physical workers. Housemaid’s Knee is an adorable name for a really painful condition. It is when excess fluid collects between the skin and the kneecap making the knee swell, and it’s caused by repetitive, unprotected kneeling.
Unfortunately, as with most chronic injuries, many tradespeople don’t decide to wear knee pads until after they start to suffer from pain or swelling in their knees. By wearing a set of professional knee pads now, you can significantly reduce the chance of having irreversible problems later.
How do Knee Pads Help?
Knee pads are usually formed of a compressible foam or gel with an outer protective shell. As with all PPE, there are different ‘levels’ of protection available, so it’s important to select the ones that suit the work you are doing.
Industrial knee pads are tested to a universal safety standard; the tantalisingly titled EN14044:2004+A1:2010. This ensures that they offer the level of fit and protection required in a busy site environment. The knee pads are tested to ensure that they protect against penetration and transmitted force, and are ergonomic and comfortable for extended wear.
In short, if you have dismissed knee pads as uncomfortable, or unnecessary, it’s worth your while to try again. Many of the brands that we stock have given up on the old ‘one size fits all’ approach and have created highly adjustable, incredibly comfortable options with special features for different trades.