Anti-fatigue floor mats are ergonomic workplace tools designed to reduce foot stress and related body fatigue. The federal government, business owners, managers and employees alike all have a stake in ergonomics when it comes to worker health and safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each year workers lose days due to musculoskeletal disorders (335,390 cases in private industry, 2007), including back injuries.
Many of these "sick days," the result of standing too long on hard surfaces, could be prevented with the use of foam or rubber matting. Anti-fatigue flooring is recommended by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Americans with Disabilities Act and many production and service industry organizations, including the National Restaurant Association.
Institutional
Health and educational institutions have a deep commitment to public and workplace safety. Anti-fatigue flooring is used in hospital rooms, school offices and library carrels to absorb the shock of extended periods standing on hard surfaces. Mats work by causing those who stand on them to flex and relax their muscles, improving circulation while the padding cushions feet, bones and joints from impact.
Industrial
Production, storage and repair facilities often require their workers to stand for long periods, sometimes all day. Stressful body postures, repetitive motions and heavy footwear may add to the weight load to create, first, discomfort and, later, chronic pain. This can lead to worker's compensation claims.
Anti-fatigue floor mats with features that address drainage, electrical conductivity, and chemical and other substance tolerance combats foot stress in industrial facilities. Anti-fatigue flooring is available with OSHA-approved striped borders to meet federal safety requirements.
Hospitality
Restaurants demand lengthy hours of standing and walking by door staff, servers, cooks and clean-up personnel. Anti-fatigue runners are a good solution for employees who traverse the workplace, such as servers, who may travel miles in a single shift.
Interlocking rubber matting suits commercial kitchens well, with nonslip surfaces, drainage for spills and washability. The best rubber matting also has a foam base for long hours of shock absorption.
Retail
Clerks in grocery stores and other retail industries are especially susceptible to musculoskeletal problems related to work. In addition to standing, they must often stand in one place, which can increase muscle tension and decrease blood flow. Textured anti-fatigue floor mats with soft surfaces underneath and ribbed or bristled tops encourage foot and calf muscle movement for adequate circulation. In its federal ergonomics program, OSHA strongly suggests the use of rubber matting in workplaces such as grocery outlets.
Additional
Other work sectors where OSHA advocates anti-fatigue flooring for employee safety are electrical contracting, baggage handling, ticket processing, sewing and printing. Any employer that asks its employees to stand for long periods during the workday can reduce on-the-job injuries by installing anti-fatigue floor mats.
