The right floor mat can make a dramatic difference in how people feel at the end of the day. If you work in the kitchen, at a standing desk, or in an industrial setting, your floor can either lead to PAIN or GAIN:
1. The right mat provides sure footing:
In a way, industrial workers are like athletes. They’ve got gloves, safety glasses, helmets, and padding. A lot of money goes into the gear they need on the production floor (or the 'field' as we sometimes refer to it). Even with all the right gear, these 'industrial athletes' can only play in good field conditions. When was the last time you looked at your ‘field conditions’?
For example- workers in slippery areas have specific needs to keep them safe. Similarly, workers who stand in one place all day have important ergonomic requirements. Workers who move up and down or side to side also need an ergonomic pathway that won’t become a trip hazard as they ‘play their position’ on the production floor.
2. The right mat adds to performance:
The right ergonomic surface will provide quantifiable benefits for the workers. Studies show that Wearwell mats reduce impact on workers’ joints by up to 50%. That energy savings means less impact on workers’ joints and musculoskeletal (MSD) issues over time.
People often talk about wanting a ‘softer’ mat. They may have had an unpleasant experience with a mat that was too hard or did not help at all. Let’s take a step back and talk about ergonomics. Think about an office chair for example. It may seem like a great idea to have the softest chair in the office, because it will ‘feel’ the best. But a sofa recliner is not acceptable or practical for an office setting. Recliners do not provide ergonomics- they provide comfort. They do not make it easier to sit attentively at your desk. They make it easier to sleep and be lazy all day. The same is true about wanting “the softest mat.” Though it may seem like a good idea at the time, softer mats can drain energy if they do not provide the exact ergonomic support needed.
3. The right mat can guide the footpath of the worker:
An athlete might use the lines on the field to know how to run their route. The same is true when creating a workspace or pathway on the production floor. Colored tape has often been used to mark the floor. There are several disadvantages to tape- it is hard to see, must be maintained, and can be easily damaged.
One popular option is to color the entire area with colored ergonomic tiles. Red, yellow, green, and blue tiles can be used to identify danger zones, outline cart paths, and show workers where they can safely step. These tiles separate departments while still providing the ‘field conditions’ workers need to perform their best.
4. The right matting can improve visibility & prevent injuries:
Safely marking the ‘out of bounds’ and danger zones can be incredibly important, especially on the production floor. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), one slip injury can cost an average of $51k in workers’ comp - far more than the investment to outfit an entire facility with the best matting and ergonomic flooring.
According to the NSC’s 2023 Injury Facts, 20% of ALL employees’ days away from work were caused by a slip, trip, or fall. So, it goes without saying- visibility and subconsciously observed caution signals can be the key to preventing injuries and may even save a life. Prevention is worth it- even if you only prevent one accident.
5. The right mat will keep workers in the building on gameday:
The best players are highly trained gamechangers who are tough to replace. The best teams understand this and work hard to keep their best players on the field. That means proactively keeping those players off injury reserve. The same is true for keeping your best employees in the building!
Standing on concrete or other rock-hard surfaces can cause heel pain, leg and back pain, and a variety of other bodily issues like varicose veins. These problems happen so slowly, the changes are nearly imperceptible until the damage is done. Once the damage IS done, employees start calling in, unable to work. Both the employee and employer suffer, and there is no winner but concrete.
Overall, the right mats make work easier with stable footing, faster by retaining worker energy, and healthier by providing the conditions needed to feel the best while on the job.
Product or other questions? Reach out to us at info@wearwell.com!
Wearwell: Prevent, Perform, Compete!
