There are a few things to think about when considering the purchase of anti fatigue rubber matting. Let's discuss a few of the less obvious considerations.
Do you stand on hard flooring?
Standing for long periods of time can cause the body some damage, in both short and long term. The level of and speed in which bodily damage occurs greatly depends on the hardness of the floor on which you stand, and should be taken into consideration when buying an anti fatigue mat.
Concrete is a common material used in flooring, often in manufacturing and processing environments. It is extremely hard and inflexible, and quickly induces the undesirable symptoms of standing for long periods: aching legs, back and neck, headaches, lack of concentration etc.
Most people are well aware that concrete causes this, and so take appropriate precautions to ensure their staff are well looked after. What people do not realise is that even more flexible floor surfaces such as laminates and wood flooring are only marginally better than concrete, and are not sufficient in providing good support to those who stand for extended amounts of time - anti fatigue mats will be required here, too.
How much do you move around at work?
If you stand up for work for the majority of the day, you still may not need an anti fatigue mat. Why? Anti fatigue mats are essential when the operator is stood up in the same working area for extended periods of time.
This is because when stood up with little movement, the blood becomes stagnant and muscles constrict, leading to the onset of muscle tension, and the other symptoms involved in standing for long periods.
Anti fatigue mats are designed specifically for those who do not have to walk up and down all day. For those that do work stood up but walk around a lot, and feel foot and lower back pain, you may want to try specialized trainers.
What environments are anti fatigue mats designed for?
Many people understand the obvious benefits of anti fatigue matting, but do not realise the wide range of applications in which they can be used. Traditionally, anti fatigue mats were used for those in processing lines in factories or work in manufacturing – they were seen as an industrial item.
Today, mats are used in a wide variety of uses. Hairdressers, shop kiosks, kitchens, bars and restaurants are all examples of where anti fatigue mats have been implemented.
If you have a question on anti fatigue mats, or would like some advice, please get in touch. View this article discussing some health and safety elements involved in the workplace which may concern you if you're thinking about investing in matting.
Did you find this article interesting? View our other articles here:
There are a few things to think about when considering the purchase of anti fatigue rubber matting. Let's discuss a few of the less obvious considerations. Do you stand on hard flooring? Standing for long periods of time can cause the body some damage, in both short and long term. The level of and speed… Read more: Do I need Anti Fatigue Mats in My Workplace?
Back Pain There are many types of back pain, and a number of causes to go with them. The vast majority of back pain at work is due to poor working conditions, and although not intentional, employers are not always aware of equipment or necessary procedures to implement and so are putting their staff at… Read more: Health & Safety at Work: Avoiding Musculoskeletal Disorders
We are delighted to introduce the Orthomat Ultimate to Mat Centre’s range of anti fatigue mats. The Orthomat Ultimate completes the Orthomat range, and sits as the premium mat alongside the Orthomat and the Orthomat Safety. The Ultimate is one of the more exciting mats in the anti fatigue mat industry, as it takes the… Read more: Introducing the Orthomat Ultimate Rubber Matting
Caution! Slippery Floor Slip and trips in the workplace present a large problem amongst workplaces across every industry; they are the most common injury at work, causing approximately 40% of all injuries and are the highest type of compensation claim. In addition, further costs are incurred due to back pain which have been attributed to… Read more: Preventing Slip and Trips in the Workplace: The Need for Non Slip Matting
This is a short guide to highlight some of the many ways non slip can be used with your business. Non slip mats are a convenience that have risen in popularity over recent years by businesses across multiple sectors, and the product itself has diversified into multiple uses: commercial, in a variety of industries as… Read more: The Various Uses For Anti Slip Mats
Slips and trips are the biggest cause of injury in the workplace, making up a 3rd of all major injuries at work. HSE claim this to cost the industry over £500 million every year, and we feel this is surely a fact that can’t go ignored. Non slip matting plays a huge role in reducing… Read more: A Mini Guide To Your Non Slip Mats
Mat Centre
Mat Centre is a specialist in providing matting solutions to the Commercial and Industrial markets.
We pride ourselves on providing you with the highest quality matting at an affordable price.