Want to know who never sits down on the job - literally? Look no further than workers in the food processing industry. These workers are constantly on their feet, working hard to load equipment, manage machinery, and monitor the packaging and processing of food items.
There are many hazards associated with standing for long periods of time, especially on a hard surface. Some of the most common include muscle fatigue, particularly in the back, legs, and feet, musculoskeletal disease, and joint compression. Standing for most of the day also puts workers at risk for varicose veins and can more than double their risk of heart disease. Such discomfort can even negatively affect mental health.
Supporting Your Standing Workers
So, what can you do to support your food processing industry workers? (Or standing workers in any industry.) There are several considerations. You could start by educating workers on how to perform dynamic movements and static stretches in a small area. You can encourage them to wear shoes with proper support and institute more frequent breaks. Unfortunately, in the middle of a busy plant, these initiatives can be difficult, impractical, or even impossible to implement.
Happily, we know the most important part of the equation and we have options to make changes to the work environment to better support your employees. Our scientifically advanced anti-fatigue floor mats are designed specifically with the standing worker in mind. This unique flooring softens the ground and lightens the load, used by millions of workers all over the world. By reducing impact to various parts of the body, particularly the feet, legs, knees and hips, anti-fatigue matting improves circulation and softens and reduces the pressure on joints and muscles.
This is a huge benefit for the food processing industry and any workplace with standing workers. Installing Wearwell anti-fatigue floor matting can lead to a rise in productivity, a decrease in sick days due to bodies that feel stronger, healthier and less sore, and an overall improvement in the feeling of well-being among employees.
Food Processing Mats That Make the Difference
In addition to offering anti-fatigue benefits, certain Wearwell mats are also designed to reduce slip, trip, and fall accidents by elevating workers above spillage and debris in the work area, a key factor in the food processing world.
Food processing floor mats must be easy to clean, easy to move around, fight contaminants, withstand fluids and oils, and resist microorganisms. Wearwell’s Grade “A”® mats are specifically designed to meet these requirements and add superior ergonomic support and anti-fatigue benefits. Its 100% anti-microbial rubber composition is formulated to withstand the elements of the food processing industry.
Grade “A” food production floor mats feature a textured surface that increases traction to provide your employees with sure footing. Additionally, its 24/SEVEN LockSafe® patented interlocking system allows the floor tiles to lock in together so that they don’t come apart until you want them to. Its ‘unzipping’ capabilities allows for easy reconfiguration or removal for cleaning/maintenance. The open-grid drainage design allows debris and fluids to flow through and elevates employees above the spills.
Floor Mats Can Support Contamination Control
It is essential for food processing industries to follow sanitation and contamination protocols to ensure food safety and healthy employee hygiene. Shoe sanitizing mats are designed to keep the workplace free of debris and germs. Footbath mats can be utilized to disinfect your employee’s shoes so that they are not tracking microbes and bacteria around the plant. Sanitizing footbath mats should be filled with cleaning solution to decontaminate shoes.
Practicing proper contamination control yields a safer work environment and improves employee health. Footbath mats are the first step in protecting bio sensitive production and food processing workers from outside germs.
A Fast and Easy Health and Safety Improvement
Provide your food processing workers with the support they need to do their job. Implementing Grade “A” anti-fatigue mats into your work environment is a fast and easy way to reduce injuries, improve employee health, and increase productivity. Additionally, utilizing shoe sanitizing mats can help prevent contamination and increase food safety.
If you are looking to create an overall healthier work environment in your food related business or any company with standing workers, adding anti-fatigue floor mats is one of the best ways to do it. Contact us or call 888-413-7317 to learn how to get started today.
