Providing ergonomic support for your employees is a commendable decision, but there are still detail-oriented decisions to be made. Starting with: are insoles or matting the best fit for the job? Insoles can be helpful but fall short of mats in many ways.
1. Insoles do not prevent slips
There will always be slick spots, wet workstations, and other types of work environments where insoles are incapable of providing increased safety. In this case, a mat will still be necessary to solve a slip issue. Manufacturing environments are vastly different. If there are wet spots, dry dust, oils, etc., a high-traction mat is the best option to prevent slips.
2. Insoles do not prevent impacts
If someone falls and hits their head on a mat, the chances of injury are far less than on concrete. Insoles do not prevent these injuries like mats do. If an insole is the only thing supporting a team member, they still risk a much greater injury from a fall on concrete vs falling on a mat.
3. Insoles are consumables
Companies love selling consumables, because it guarantees them future profits and a continued stream of YOUR MONEY! Insole companies take this approach. According to the insole company Power Step, (every employee’s) insoles should be replaced every 6 months! This short purchase cycle ends up costing far more than generally expected and far more than a long-lasting mat. Plus, there are many mats with a Lifetime Warranty.
4. Insoles have continuous administrative costs
Employee insole sizes must be gathered, sorted, and purchased then re-purchased continuously. New employees must be added, old ones removed, and any sizing issues changed. The right mat will prevent one or more of your employees spending time tracking other employees shoe sizes. When you work with an expert to choose the correct matting solution, you can put down mats, and they become part of the floor for the next 5 years, doing their job silently and diligently. Mats also work without the use of a database to manage.
5. Insoles are built-in to most shoes
Shoe and insole technology have come a long way. New materials and innovation have led to current day designs made with great insoles to provide comfort and good ergonomics. Replacing an insole that was designed specifically for the shoe is not recommended and could even damage the shoes if done improperly.
Insoles can be a good option to recommend employees get for additional support. But the best way to support everyone across the board is to invest in long-lasting and proper mats. In the long term, it is the best way to use the budget to help the most people. It pays to consult a matting expert, get some professional recommendations, and go from there with all the information.
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