When you’re working on your feet all day long—particularly on hard-floor surfaces—anti-fatigue mats reduce the stress on your legs and feet to prevent the aches, pains and discomfort that it often brings. Such fatigue is common in factories and warehouses, as well as in food preparation and retail workplaces where employees are required to stand in the same position for long periods of time.
There is a wide range of safety mats available, all designed for different work environments and applications, in different sizes to handle specific hazards to suit your budget.
Making your workplace a much comfier place to work also means a much happier workforce. The benefit is often an increase in productivity and a reduction in sick leave.
How Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Work?
Primarily designed to alleviate tiredness and aching muscles in the legs, anti-fatigue mats provide a cushioned surface on which to stand. The problems are caused by reduced blood flow and blood simply pooling in the legs. The mats encourage small movements, such as unnoticeable swaying, to promote the blood flow.
Anti-fatigue mats have also been shown to prevent serious foot conditions and lower back problems. Moreover, they also play their part in reducing workplace accidents.
Protecting against falls and slips in the workplace, safety mats are available to promote cleanliness, offer insulation from cold floors, and help liquids to drain away safely.
Selecting The Right Safety Mats
There is a huge range of anti-fatigue mats available. Before making a decision, you may want to consider carrying out a risk assessment of your workplace to better understand your needs and the demands of the workplace.
To counter repetitive strain injuries associated with standing, general anti-fatigue matting is your best option, and as they are often coloured black and yellow, these are highly visible. The thickness level of the mat you require will depend on how durable you need them to be. For example, high-traffic areas are likely to be suited to the thicker ‘bubble’ mats, as opposed to the budget range designed for low-level risks.
When foods, liquids, oils and grease are often used, then you’re best selecting an option featuring holes within the mat design. This allows liquids to drain away, and they often have a non-slip surface to reduce the risk of accidents too.
Installing Anti-Fatigue Mats
In most scenarios, anti-fatigue matting is, thankfully, easy to install and maintain, as well as being long-lasting and durable, even in the most demanding of environments. For example, depending on the materials used in your workplace, you may need to ensure they’re resistant to chemicals, oils and grease, such as in kitchens.
Consideration needs to be given as to the best location for these mats. For example, you may want to ensure they are placed in the standing position of work stations and desks, or where employees are frequently walking back and forth. Additionally, they are ideal for reducing slip hazards in areas where water is frequently used.