Anti-Fatigue Mats explained
The facts behind absenteeism due to MSD's
A lot of people have to stand for long periods of time for their job whether that be manufacturing, packing stations, retail and catering outlets are just a few environments where people work on their feet for the majority of the day.
- 22.8% of workers in Europe have experienced muscular pains
- 24.7% suffered back ache
- 45.5% complained about working in painful or tiring positions.
These problems are called Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) which are injuries or disorders that affect body movement and they are currently the most common work related health condition in the EU that are expected to affect almost 50% of the population by 2030. They are the cause of most long term absences.
Regularly standing on hard floors can cause MSDs, however the problem is that sitting down for long periods of time isn’t good for us either. MSDs can cause personal suffering, impact on productivity and be costly for both businesses and society.
How to prevent absenteeism due to MSD's
Fatigue from standing for long periods of time, day after day can cause more serious health problems including painful foot elements, stiffness and muscular pain as well as varicose veins and other circulatory problems. Pain, fatigue and tiredness can also cause concentration lapses that can potentially lead to other accidents and injuries.
It is an employer’s responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable workplace. In many cases simple precautions such as using anti-fatigue mats can greatly reduce the risks linked with regular, excessive standing.
Looking into how anti fatigue mats work is important to understand the impact they can have on your workforce and their performance. When we walk the calve muscles contract and activate the venous pump, however when we stand still blood can pool in the feet and lower legs causing swelling and circulation is affected. Nevertheless the underfoot cushioning provided by anti fatigue matting provides small, unnoticeable foot movements as the feet adapt to the surface. This is enough to make the muscles contract and expand to improve circulation. They also provide a reduced impact of walking and relief from standing on a cold, concrete floor.
If you want to find out more about the benefits of anti fatigue mats or would like to find the perfect mat for your environment then take a look at one of our previous blogs. If you need further help then please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.
