The benefits of anti-fatigue matting: delivering safer standing in your workplace

One of the biggest challenges of creating a truly safe, healthy workplace for all is the fact that not every health risk is immediately visible. Accounting for obvious hazards such as chemical spills and heavy machinery is straightforward enough, but those in charge of health and safety must also account for less obvious day-to-day hazards that can still have long-term consequences.

The potential health impacts of prolonged standing are one of the best examples of this challenge. Standing may seem like one of the most innocuous aspects of any given job, but the truth is that prolonged periods of standing can cause significant health issues if they are not managed correctly. As such, products that promote safer standing, including anti-fatigue mats, can be a crucial and easy win for your on-site health and safety efforts.

Here, we’ve teamed up with COBA Europe, one of our most important suppliers of anti-fatigue matting solutions, to explore some of the key benefits of taking a proactive approach to promoting safer standing in your workplace.

The health risks of prolonged standing

Most employers are well aware of the potential health risks associated with sedentary behaviours and long periods of sitting down. The average adult may spend 50-60% of a typical day in a sedentary state, resulting in weight gain, joint pain, posture problems and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

Taking steps to prevent prolonged sitting has become a key focus for many companies, especially since the rise of home working in response to the pandemic, and workers across multiple fields are now being encouraged to stand and move around more. However, this focus should not obscure the fact that prolonged standing can pose serious health risks of its own, especially for those who are required to stand in a static position for a long time.

Although standing up is good for the body in many ways, it inevitably places more pressure on the joints and muscles, resulting in muscle strain, locking joints, reduced blood circulation and diminished elasticity in the soft tissues, particularly when standing stationary for too long. Prolonged standing also makes the heart work harder, which can strain the venous system, posing risks to those who already have existing cardiovascular diseases and heart issues.

Common ailments associated with prolonged standing include: 

• Varicose veins
• General pain and swelling of the legs, feet and ankles
• Low back pain
• Joint damage
• Bunions and corns
• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Circulatory problems
• Hypertension

All of these problems can be exacerbated by the type of flooring on the site in question. Soft, carpeted floors in an office environment will not pose as much of a risk, but hard, cold concrete floors are considered the worst type of floor surface to stand on from a health perspective, yet are commonplace in many of the industries that require a standing workforce, such as distribution centres, warehouses, production lines and factories.

According to a 2018 survey of health and safety managers, warehouse managers, and production and operations managers carried out by COBA Europe, 69% said their colleagues had experienced back, leg or foot pain as a result of standing at work. Moreover, 45% said workers had taken sick leave as a direct result of these symptoms, while 65% said they had resulted in a negative impact on productivity within their organisation.

How can anti-fatigue matting help?

The widespread and potentially serious nature of this issue explains why so many businesses are utilising solutions such as anti-fatigue mats as a simple and cost-effective solution to a serious problem.

Anti-fatigue matting provides a cushioned surface that encourages regular foot movement, even in static positions, while allowing the feet to subtly adapt to the texture in a way that promotes healthy circulation. This slight movement helps the foot and calf muscles to expand and contract, pushing blood back up to the heart against the force of gravity.

These mats are widely used across a range of different sectors and industries, including factories, warehouses and retail sites, as well as in offices and behind bars, tills and reception desks. COBA Europe’s product range includes a variety of different options suitable for the specific needs of each of these industries, including robust mats for workplaces with heavy wear and tear or exposure to chemicals, oil and extreme temperatures.

According to COBA Europe’s 2018 survey, 68% of business that invested in anti-fatigue matting found it had a positive effect on staff wellbeing. Furthermore, 86% said the matting helped to reduce pain or serious health complaints among staff, 82% reported a positive effect on productivity, and 55% said absenteeism had been reduced as a result.

Taking steps toward a safer workplace with SafetyBuyer

If you would like to find out more detailed statistics and expert insights on the health and safety implications of prolonged sitting and standing, and the solutions you can take to create a safer workplace, download COBA Europe’s comprehensive #StandUpForHealth eBook.

For businesses that are ready to invest in solutions to protect their workforce from the health risks of prolonged standing, browse the complete range of COBA Europe anti-fatigue mats and matting here at SafetyBuyer. You can find the right mat for your workplace and budget by filtering the catalogue according to mat thickness and environment type, or compare each product by their anti-fatigue, wear resistance and anti-slip resistance ratings.

If you’d like to learn more about the COBA Europe anti-fatigue mat range, give SafetyBuyer a call today on 0800 043 1061. We can answer all of your questions and help you find the right product for your business needs!