Standing around doesn’t seem like a hazardous activity at first glance. It’s something you might consider completely harmless. As is the case with a great many things, moderation is key. Standing for prolonged periods can cause people various issues with joints, muscles, and blood vessels. It can also impact posture, leading to problems with neck pain and headaches.
What do you do when your employees have to stand around for multiple hours to do their job? In these scenarios, you have to think outside of the box to find solutions. This is where anti-fatigue mats come in. They have become a staple of workplace safety in recent years. They help alleviate the issues that occur when employees remain standing for too long. Not only that, but they can also make it easier to protect your workplace and complete tasks under specific conditions. Let’s go over the different ways these mats can benefit your business.
They reduce pain
It’s important to note that fatigue mats aren’t just good for reducing exhaustion. They can also serve as ergonomic tools that reduce employee pain. The way they do this is with the help of those small cushioned air bubbles. They stimulate cyclic muscle contractions that benefit the legs and improve posture.
They also help prevent joint stiffness by making it easier to change your standing position. As a result, you gain widespread benefits that reduce chronic pain. They can even impact headaches by promoting good circulation and easing tension in the neck and back.
All of these effects have enormous ergonomic benefits. Employees that are at risk of back pain can alleviate their existing issues with joints to an extent.
They increase productivity
It’s no secret that standing around for the whole workday isn’t good for you. However, it doesn’t just affect an employee’s physical ability. It can also impact their productivity significantly. If they stand on solid ground for multiple hours every day, they’re more likely to tire out.
With better ground to stand on, employees can feel more relaxed. Even if they’re not seated, the mats will help improve circulation to their joints and muscles, which then reduces pain and fatigue. This makes it easier to focus on the work at hand andincreases productivity. Not doing this would cause a drop in motivation and affect their work. The employees would only think about how they’re uncomfortable and in pain, which distracts them and causes long-term consequences for their well-being.
If health complications interfere with their ability to work, you’ll lose out on valuable employees. You might even have to compensate them for their injuries and health problems. It would be better to prevent the whole issue from the start instead of dealing with these negative consequences.
They prevent accidents
Having a tough and reliable surface to stand on does more than just alleviate pain. It can also help prevent injuries on the job. Some of the most common accidents in modern workplaces include slips and falls on slippery surfaces. If you work in an environment where slips are a common cause of injury, mats are an absolute necessity in the workplace.
Aground protection plastic mat can prevent falls on uneven and slippery surfaces. It’s not limited to employees either. Any mobile machinery you have can take advantage of these mats for more traction and safety. You can even have a small truck drive over it.
This is especially useful in outdoor areas and workplaces that have frequent spills. A plastic mat can provide traction on surfaces such as grass, muddy ground, and even sand. Setting up a few mats in problematic areas can reduce the risk of motorized accidents when employees are transporting materials.
Working with heavy tools and machinery has several risks, whether they be employee injuries or property damage. When setting up your workplace, you want to make sure you have all the tools you need to keep it safe and secure.
If employees handle heavy materials often, there’s always a risk of dropping something. This can cause significant damage to flooring, which can be expensive to repair. Anti-fatigue mats also double as floor protection. They absorb excess force and cause heavier items to have a softer landing. This can be helpful when handling brittle and fragile objects. Instead of shattering on impact, they’ll remain intact and won’t bounce too far off the ground. This also keeps employees safe from cuts when working with glass objects.
Conclusion
When it comes to business, there’s nothing quite as important as keeping your employees safe. As it turns out, anti-fatigue mats can help you achieve this. If your employees have to stand when doing their job, a well-placed mat can mean the difference between comfort and long-term health problems. Consider the positive impact a plastic anti-fatigue mat can have on your business and see where you can incorporate one in the workplace.
Author:
I’m Willy Beamen, from Sydney, an avid researcher and editor helping website owners with content marketing.
