Advantages of Anti-Fatigue Mats in the Workplace
Anti-fatigue matting is specialised matting designed to improve conditions in the workplace. It can be made from a range of materials, including vinyl, wood, PVC tubing, rubber, PVC closed-cell foam and carpet, and can be custom designed to provide the perfect thickness and length for your business. Anti-fatigue matting offers a range of benefits, which include:
- Floor protection and absorption from heavy stock impact
- Non-slip surface
- Water and debris drainage
- Warmth for cold floors.
By far the greatest benefit of anti-fatigue matting, however, is its ability to take pressure off an employee’s legs, feet and lower back.
Who requires anti-fatigue matting?
For any person working long hours on their feet, the benefits of anti-fatigue matting can be significant. Those working in factory lines, kitchens, bars, shop service areas or any person with a lower back condition will know that standing for long hours is tiring and puts unnecessary pressure on the back, legs and feet. Gravity is a constant and normal pressure we have to deal with, but when standing or walking on hard surfaces continuously it transforms this “normal” force into a real hazard. Without a softening barrier between our feet and the hard ground, joint issues can quickly occur. Anti-fatigue matting is designed to reduce the “floor pounding” effect of feet on hard surfaces and is made of tough, durable material. A sympathetic matting surface takes the pressure off the joints and naturally reduces fatigue, as this fatigue can lead to problems such as varicose veins, muscular fatigue, lower back pain, stiffness and swelling. When used at a workstation, anti-fatigue matting provides a stable, consistent surface for movement, reducing the strains of physical adjustments to the sitting position.
Understanding the benefits of anti-fatigue matting
Older workers who have felt the impact of working long hours on hard surfaces know only too well that anti-fatigue matting can make all the difference when it comes to comfort in the workforce. The younger generation of workers, however, need to be educated in the importance of protecting joints. Always talk to your employees about why safety measures are in place and how anti-fatigue matting can help them.
Different types of anti-fatigue matting When choosing your anti-fatigue matting, it’s important to make note of the type of environment in which the matting will be placed. If the workplace is a wet area, your anti-fatigue matting will need to allow for drainage and will require an easy wash down. If your workplace is prone to grease, oil, acid, alkali or alcohol spills, the material used will need to accept the exposure. If your matting is to be placed in a dry area with no moisture, a more formal matting could be ordered to match in with office decor. There are many specialised anti-fatigue mats on the market, meaning that finding the right one to suit your workplace should be easy. Specialised matting includes non-conductive matting for electrical tasks, entrance matting for clean rooms, food preparation mats for kitchens, gym and fitness mats, pool and shower mats, anti-static matting and spark resistant matting for welding tasks. Anti-fatigue matting is a relatively new solution to problems that have plagued workers for years, but as with any solution, anti-fatigue matting should be backed up with other safety measures such as regular breaks and appropriate footwear. Providing employees with these measures helps create a more comfortable, happier working environment and a productive work area that maximises staff capabilities