Lower limb disorders (LLDs) are the most common injury caused by standing on concrete or other hard flooring. According to 2010/2011 statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), about 20% of all work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect the lower limbs. In 2009/2010 an estimated 94,000 people in Britain suffered from an LLD caused by their work environments. If LLDs are not managed effectively, they can be a major cause of absence in the workplace, accounting for an average 25 days absence per incident. Organisations need to be aware of the harmful impact of standing on concrete or other hard flooring for long periods of time so that measures can be implemented to protect workers’ health and thereby reduce absences.

Independent studies at both the University of Michigan in the USA and Loughborough University prove the beneficial results of standing on ergonomic mats versus hard floor surfaces. Anti-fatigue mats have been proven to reduce the physical stress of standing by 50%, thus reducing the physical damage on the feet, legs, back and neck. However, the use of mats in the workplace requires careful consideration because of the increased risk from slips and trips.

The studies showed that standing on a hard floor can lead to an immobile pattern, that can cause stiffness and poor circulation, leading to medical problems such as varicose veins, arthritis in the knees and hips, achilles tendonitis and other orthopaedic changes such as flat feet.

Work station mats 

Ergonomic flooring and mats are ideal for workers who are standing for more than two or three hours at work, as they are more likely to experience physical stress and fatigue.

Ergonomically correct mats can have a positive impact on workers’ health, wellness and morale and can significantly reduce workplace accidents, downtime and absenteeism. The benefits have been so convincing that many businesses are now exploring how to achieve these same productivity and cost improvements across their entire facility, not just in areas where there are clearly defined workstations. 

Anti-fatigue mats and flooring work by encouraging subtle movement of leg and calf muscles. As the muscles contract and relax they pump blood back to the head and eliminate blood pooling the lower limbs, which often occurs if a worker’s muscles are totally static.

Commenting on the use of ergonomic flooring, BSIF CEO, David Lummis said: “Products such as ergonomic mats and flooring contribute significiantly to the complete approach that many companies now take when addressing employee health and safety. Not only can they improve posture and general well-being, but the emphasis on reducing fatigue and absenteeism also boosts productivity.”

Elliot Greenberg, CEO of Wearwell, a provider of floor solutions said: “Customers demand the ability to change the layout of their work cell or assembly line areas, without having to reinvest a substantial amount of money in new flooring. Therefore, flooring products that can easily be disassembled and re-assembled to fit the changing needs of the customer are critical.”

Wearwell Europe is a member of the British Safety Industry Federation and the company was commended for Service Excellence at the 2013 BSIF Service Awards. To find out more about the BSIF, please visit: bsif.co.uk