Don't stand for pain01 August 2006

The position of standing is one many of us take for granted in our daily lives. It is not until we start to feel the odd ache and pain that we become more aware of how much pressure the standing posture creates on our bodies. Although it may seem mundane, the floor surface we stand on is a key factor to take into consideration and, for those whose occupation requires long periods of standing, it is especially important.

Many of us will have felt discomfort from prolonged standing, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete, at one time or another. We start to experience symptoms such as aching or sore feet, pain in the legs, back, even the shoulders and neck. As the pain intensifies, we naturally tend to move to a different position to try to reduce the pressure and find a more comfortable posture. Very often, this is a subconscious reaction, especially in the working environment when our minds are concentrating on our day-to-day jobs.

Very few of us will have considered why this happens and what possible long-term effects this could have on our health and well-being. The reality is that most of us just take a rest and, if it is part of our daily job function, we simply repeat the experience the next day. It is easier to blame our footwear, rather than the floor surface on which we are standing.

So-called 'short-lived' aches and pains caused as a result of occupational standing can become more persistent and sometimes lead to distressing musculoskeletal disorders, injury and chronic pain. And for some, once the damage has been done, it can be with them for life. Back pain, swelling of the joints and irreversible conditions, such as varicose veins, are common ailments for those who stand for prolonged periods on a regular basis.

In the UK, a staggering 4.9 million working days are lost due to back pain every year. The charity BackCare estimates the overall cost of back pain to the NHS, business and the economy as being £5 billion per year. A TUC-backed report reveals that up to 11 million UK workers could face serious health problems, including varicose veins, heart disease and circulatory problems from spending most of the day on their feet. Lower limb disorders account for two million days off sick each year. The effect on lost productivity through absenteeism, not to mention the distress caused to the individuals involved, speaks for itself.

Although these figures are not solely a result of standing, they do highlight the importance of creating a comfortable, safe and ergonomically-friendly working environment. The workstation should be well designed in terms of layout with a suitable floor covering - one that can reduce fatigue, if workers are standing for long hours. There is a lot to be said for the adage, 'prevention is better than cure'.

One preventative measure to reduce the onset of pain from prolonged standing is the installation of anti-fatigue matting, of which there is a vast selection available for many different environments. Some mats have dual benefits and provide both fatigue-relief cushioning, as well as anti-slip surfaces for additional safety.

Tasks that require prolonged periods of standing are very common in a wide variety of industries, especially in engineering environments. It has been well documented in various studies that many employees who are involved in standing work for more than 40-50% of their working day experience regular discomfort.

Studies also reveal that there is strong correlation between the use of anti-fatigue mats and productivity. The properties of anti-fatigue mats vary according to the product, as do the levels of comfort/relief they offer. They should be soft enough for the cushioning effect without being so soft that feet sink into the mat, which could have an adverse effect.

If we examine the way anti-fatigue mats actually work, it is simpler to understand their importance to the workplace. To do this, it is easier to go back to nature.
Foot and leg movement - when walking, for instance - is nature's way of making the muscles and veins work together in an expanding and contracting action. As the calf muscles contract, they compress the veins next to them and blood is pushed upwards to the heart. This is known as the venous system. Venous valves in the leg veins prevent the blood from flowing back in a downward direction, which would otherwise 'pool' in the feet as a result of gravity. Standing still prevents this system from functioning efficiently, leading to increased pressure in the veins and swelling, so frequent leg and foot movement is beneficial.

Anti-fatigue matting helps to promote regular foot movement, as the feet naturally adapt to the cushioned surface of the mat. The movement of muscles contracting and expanding is very subtle, but is enough to reduce, even prevent in some cases, the health risks associated with standing. Blood flow increases and with it so does the oxygen reaching the heart. Improved circulation is important for a healthier heart. Matting also helps to distribute the pressure over a larger surface area and consequently absorbs some of the impact from standing.

Without anti-fatigue matting, it is likely that workers will shift their weight from one side to another, increasing muscular activity in the back and lower limbs. This increase in muscular activity depletes energy levels, which ultimately leads to physical fatigue.

As pain and fatigue sets in, concentration and productivity are inevitably reduced. The potential for dangerous, even life-threatening accidents and errors is also more likely. Any steps to reduce the risks are beneficial to a workforce and its employers.

In a study conducted by The Design Ergonomics Group at Loughborough University with the help of ten volunteers from Land Rover (UK), an assessment was made to evaluate the benefits of anti-fatigue matting. This study compared how some mats had greater anti-fatigue benefits than others and made a comparison with standing on a concrete floor. It also highlighted how sometimes human nature created preconceived thoughts as to how comfortable a mat would be compare to another. For example, if a mat felt softer to the touch then it would obviously be more comfortable. Not always so!

Professor Mark Porter and Dr Samantha Porter conducted the project in 1999 during a seven-week period. The data collected consisted of subjective reports in 30 body areas at the start of work, just before lunch break, and at the end of the working day.

'Considerable discomfort' was recorded on average as 5.2 times greater without the use of anti-fatigue matting at the end of the working day. Discomfort to the calves was two to three times higher standing on concrete at the end of the week. The report concluded that the mats tested delayed the onset of discomfort in the feet and reduced its severity at the end of the working day.

It is morale boosting to employees to know that their employers are doing all they can to make their working life safe and pleasant. It is also a good idea to get their input by trialling different mats to ensure that they are happy with the products. After all, it will be the workforce that has to stand on them for most of their working day. Suitability of matting can also be down to personal preference: for example, Worker A may find one type of mat more comfortable than Worker B.

With businesses looking to increase their production efficiencies, it is logical and relatively simple to install anti-fatigue matting. For those unfamiliar with the anti-fatigue matting market, the choice available may come as quite a surprise. After all, isn't one mat just like another? The answer is: definitely not!

Given the options available, it is wise to approach a reputable manufacturer or supplier for their advice. The matting supplier should ask a number of questions that will determine a) the customer's requirements and b) the suitability of their various mats for specific environments. This should help to refine the choice available.

Considerations to take into account include the working application in question, as well as the floor area dimensions and shape to be covered with matting. For more unusual-shaped areas, it may be that interlocking tiles are the solution, rather than rolls or single mats. Is the preference for rubber matting or vinyl foam?

Is the matting to be used in a wet or dry environment and will it be coming into contact with chemicals or oils? It may be that a mat with open 'drainage' holes is more appropriate to reduce slipping, rather than a solid surface mat; or, in especially oily conditions, a rubber/nitrile mat (nitrile is especially resilient to oils and chemicals) might be the better option. It is sensible to submit a list of chemicals/oils that are being used to the matting supplier to ensure the product will not deteriorate when exposed to the fluids. Look out for matting that conforms to slip resistance and fire tests, too.

If workers are turning regularly in the same position, the top surface of the mat should be sufficiently hard wearing. Some anti-fatigue mats are dual layered, with a tough PVC top surface and cushion foam backing. There are anti-fatigue mats with raised 'bubbled' surfaces that help to stimulate pressure points in the feet, similar to the principles of acupressure.

For high temperature environments, such as welding bay areas, then hard-wearing rubber or rubber/nitrile matting is usually found to be the solution. Again, this should be checked with the manufacturer or supplier.

There is definitely more to anti-fatigue matting than most people would imagine. So the message is to everyone whose occupations require prolonged standing - don't take your floor for granted and, more importantly, don't take your health for granted. Anti-fatigue matting really is one of the simplest preventative solutions.

SOE

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