| Do you know the largest cause of physician visits | | | | tested were concrete and a 3/8" rubber |
| in the United States? | | | | anti-fatigue mat. The conclusive result of the |
| The flu? The Common cold? No, the largest cause | | | | study was that hard concrete floors caused the |
| of physician visits is lower back pain, apart from | | | | greatest amount of discomfort and fatigue, while |
| headaches. | | | | anti fatigue mats were able to reduce it by as |
| Lower back pain can be quite a drag, especially | | | | much as 50%. |
| since its usually accompaniend by dreadful foot & | | | | Your company can directly benefit from the use |
| leg pain. A major cause of foot, leg, & back pain | | | | of anti fatigue mats through increased worker |
| is harsh and demanding work environments, | | | | productivity, reduced worker compensation costs, |
| where a worker can stand on an extremely hard | | | | and lower insurance costs and absenteeism. Since |
| surface for prolonged time frames. | | | | it is a well-established fact that companies are |
| Working on hard surfaces can cause severe | | | | losing billions of dollars each year due to the |
| fatigue, which is when the muscles are constricted | | | | above mentioned worker related issues, it only |
| and blood flow is reduced. In this state, the heart | | | | makes sense to make a trivial investment on anti |
| works a lot harder to pump blood through the | | | | fatigue matting to dramatically reduce these |
| troubled areas, and the body runs out of energy. | | | | losses. |
| The negative effects are pain and exhaustion. | | | | In addition to pain and discomfort, prolonged |
| One solution to this ever-growing problem is to | | | | standing on hard surfaces can also cause |
| use anti fatigue mats in the workplace, especially | | | | long-term problems. Pronation, which is the |
| in areas where a lot of standing labor is | | | | extensive flattening of the foot, and varicose |
| performed. Apart from cushioning, anti fatigue | | | | veins, which are caused by the stagnation of |
| mats provide a gentle "rebound" which | | | | blood in lower areas, are two health problems |
| encourages subtle movement of leg and calf | | | | associated with standing trauma. These problems |
| muscles, thus promoting an easier flow of blood | | | | are very costly in terms of worker compensation |
| to and from the heart. Basically, through more | | | | and insurance, not to mention the resulting lack of |
| efficient muscle activity, the imbalance of | | | | productivity and employee turnover. |
| constricted blood is virtually eliminated. | | | | Anti fatigue mats are a real solution, as |
| So what is the proof that anti fatigue mats | | | | recommended by the National Safety Council in its |
| actually work? | | | | publication "Ergonomics". Amongst the |
| There are several studies that prove the efficacy | | | | professionals who recommend anti fatigue mats |
| of anti fatigue mats, with the most notable one | | | | are ergonomists, occupational nurses, insurance |
| being a format study at the Center of | | | | agents, and POM managers. |
| Ergonomics at the University of Michigan. Mark | | | | It is essential that the workplace be safe and |
| Redfern, an economist, tested the effects of a | | | | pleasant in order to promote the highest levels of |
| variety of floor conditions on physical fatigue. | | | | productivity, reduce the rate of absenteeism and |
| Fourteen subjects were required to stand | | | | turnover, increase employee satisfaction, and as a |
| throughout their entire shift at the Ford | | | | direct result, cut costs and improve profits. |
| Chesterfield Trim Plant. Two of the surfaces | | | | |