Raymond Board
R & R Associates
9640-B Mission Gorge Rd, #166
Santee, CA 92071
PHONE: (619) 448-6386
CELL: (619) 602-2113
FAX: (619) 448-6386
EMAIL: rrassoc@cox.net
One of the most common causes of physical fatigue is standing for long periods of time on hard floor surfaces. We've all felt it - the foot, leg, and back pain resulting from long days of standing and working.
Physical fatigue occurs when muscles are constricted, causing reduced blood flow. The result is pain and discomfort. The heart is forced to work harder, and the body begins to run out of energy. Muscles ache and joins hurt.
The study involved fourteen subjects at the Ford Chesterfield Trim Plant who were required to stand throughout their entire shift. A variety of floor conditions were tested, from concrete to a 3/8 inch rubber anti-fatigue mat.
The results were conclusive. Workers who were forced to stand on hard concrete floors for long periods of time suffered significant levels of fatigue and discomfort in the legs, back, and throughout the body.
On the other hand, workers who stood on anti-fatigue mats were able to reduce the level of fatigue and discomfort by as much as 50%. The result - more energetic, more productive, and healthier employees.
There is more evidence to support this conclusion. In 1983, the American Podiatric Association reported that 83% of the industrial workforce in the U.S. had foot or lower leg problems, such as pain or orthopedic deformities. A further study showed that the incidence of low back pain was highest among workers who stood regularly every working day for periods of four hours or more.
We refer to this as Cumulative Standing Trauma (CST) - excessive stress on the spine and back muscles due to stagnant body positions or poor distribution of body weight which may cause pain and injury. In addition to low back pain, long-term standing on hard surfaces results in pronation - the extensive flattening of the foot which leads to arch and heel pain - and varicose veins caused by stagnation of blood in the lower extremities. These problems can, in turn, lead to long term health issues.
Fatigue caused by long term standing is easily and too often overlooked. Workers, however, are suffering the consequences on a daily basis. Companies are losing literally billions of dollars per year in reduced productivity, increased health care and workers compensation costs, higher insurance rates, and absenteeism.
The National Safety Council, in it's publication titled Ergonomics, recommends the use of anti-fatigue mats as do numerous ergonomists, industrial hygienists, occupational nurses, risk managers and loss control agents, safety engineers, and insurance companies. Luckily, millions of workers are now benefiting from these recommendations.
The plight of the standing worker is very real. The right anti-fatigue mat for the right application can go a long way towards easing the situation.
