A Rubber Cushioned Floor is The Best Solution

Fatigue management is all about figuring out how to keep people comfortable. Specifically, the managing fatigue in the workplace deals with keeping employees comfortable and also productive. A cushioned floor is an excellent option to battle fatigue. Ergonomic matting is specifically designed to support individuals who are on their feet for prolonged periods of time and to decrease the risk of serious injuries. However, many anti-fatigue options are available only as individual ergonomic mats—which isn’t necessarily the best option for an industrial setting. Rubber makes a great cushion floor covering that can easily be employed throughout a larger or smaller space.

According to ergomomics.com: “The term ‘ergonomics’ is derived from two Greek words: ‘ergon,’ meaning work, and ‘nomoi,’ meaning natural laws.” A contributor for Active Living Solutions says that ergonomics, at its root, is the way individuals interact with the machinery or appliances within their workplace environment. They go on to say: “The purpose of ergonomic is to assess the interaction, or relationship between each component for determining optimum performance. Ergonomic therefore examines the relationship between three elements: the individual, the equipment, the environment and how they can be improved.” Most of us have an 8-hour workday, during which we are expected to be productive—discomfort, pain, and injuries can get in the way of those goals especially if we’re spending all that time on our feet.

The first step towards proper fatigue management is to understand the distinct difference between fatigue and common tiredness. As Dr. Karin Olson, from the University of Alberta, notes: “It’s important to recognize the difference between tiredness and fatigue, because fatigue is a marker that the body is not able to keep up. The onset of the manifestation of fatigue, particularly if these are not normal states for you, should be taken seriously.” Tiredness is a normal part of life, particularly after a long day—we can even be subject to pain every now and then especially after rigorous activities. But constant pain, and specifically discomfort in feet, ankles, legs, knees, and along the back, can be an indication that your employees need a cushioned floor. Here are two important questions to keep in mind as you decide whether or not to employ ergonomic mats in your workplace:

• Why Do You Need Ergonomic Matting?
  According to SafetXChange.com:
  
  

  “Workers suffering from fatigue—physical and mental—are not only less productive and more prone to illness but also more distracted and thus more likely to be involved in a safety incident. For example, studies show that fatigued workers are more than twice as likely to experience health-related lost productive time. One study found that 37.9% of U.S. workers experienced fatigue, costing companies approximately $136 billion in lost productivity.”

  If you were thinking that fatigue wasn’t a factor in your workplace then maybe you should reconsider. These numbers are staggering—and chances are that even your business, whether it’s small or large, is paying into that $136 billion in lost productivity.

  Fatigue is a very real thing and the causing factors, like pain and discomfort, are physical manifestations that should be dealt with not just for the sake of productivity but also for moral reasons. In the U.S., by law, employers have to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees. Fatigue management may not seem so important, but when you consider some of the underlining causes for fatigue—employing rubberized cushion floor covering may seem like a great idea. Here are a few injuries and ailments that can stem from long periods of standing without proper support:

  • Swollen or Painful Feet—Standing can affect circulation, causing liquid retention in the feet and legs.

  • Bunions—A deformity of the big toe, bunions can be extremely painful.

  • Plantar Fasciitis—This happens when the tissue on the sole of the foot becomes inflamed, a common occurrence in people who stand or walk for prolonged periods of time.

  • Achilles Tendinitis—An inflammation of the tendons located on the back of the ankle and the top of the heel, this injury is painful and happens due to overuse of the tendons.

  • Knee Problems—A sharp or throbbing pain when standing or walking. This particular problem can manifest itself in a number of ways.

  • Varicose Veins—According to the National Library of Medicine, “Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood.” This tends to happen in legs after the body remains standing in a single position for too long.

  • Lower Back Pain—Like knee problems, this particular ailment can manifest itself in a number of ways.

  • Poor Posture—Poor posture can happen as a result of people trying to find a comfortable position to stand in. Poor posture can lead to sore muscles, spinal curvature, blood vessel constriction, nerve constriction, and many other things.

• Why Choose A Rubber Cushioned Floor?
  We feel that at this point you probably have some pretty substantial reasons for deciding to employ ergonomic matting in your workplace, now all that’s left to decide is exactly what flooring option is best suited to your particular needs. Some ergonomic mats are specifically designed for residential use—and while highly durable—they may not be up to par with the abrasive environment of an industrial setting. Chris Adams, a contributor at About.com, has this to say about foam rubber mats (a typical cushion floor covering option): “they are more durable and thereby better suited to more industrial environments. Again a denser foam rubber is better than a cushy one. Foam rubber offers good support and good anti-fatigue.” Because fatigue management should attempt to provide an all-inclusive solution to discomfort and loss of productivity, using special anti-fatigue rubber to cover the entirety of a surface is an economical and practical answer. A rubberized cushioned floor, which is available in runners (of up to a seamless 50 ft. length), mats, and interlocking tiles, is easy to install, maintain, and a whole lot easier to customize than individual mats.