According to the National Safety Council, fatigue costs U.S. employers more than $130 billion a year in health-related lost productivity. Shift workers are at the highest risks for fatigue related injuries, about 15% of full-time employees in the U.S. work on shifts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A typical U.S. company with 1,000 employees can expect to lose more than $1 million each year to fatigue, which can often increase the workloads of other human operators (Industry week, 2019). Fatigue causes decreased performance capacity, which leads to an increase in injuries and fatalities in the workplace. About 13% of work injuries are attributable to fatigue problems, according to a study by Uehli and colleagues (2014).
Fatigue
Fatigue sets in when our muscles constrict and the blood flow to them is reduced. The heart is forced to work harder to pump blood to the working muscles. When we stand still, our lower extremity shuts off the circulation and makes everything work harder.
Fatigue and pain can affect everyone regardless of job responsibilities, training, or ability. It has influences directly on physical and mental abilities needed to carry out even simple task. The most important effects of fatigue include decreased task motivation, longer reaction time, impaired concentration, slower memory and information processing, and poor judgment.
Low back pain is one of the most frequently cited medical reasons for loss of work – and is one of the costliest workers comp claims. Lower back pain can be alleviated by an anti-fatigue mat.
Productivity
Fatigue hinders productivity by missed workdays, reduced work performance, negative attitude towards co-workers and management, and decreased efficiency. By alleviating the pain caused by uncomfortable workstations companies can improve moral and well being of their employees—increasing productivity.
What most people do not realize is how anti-fatigue mats work. Anti-fatigue mats change the movement dynamics in our leg/calf muscles—creating subtle movement in the lower extremities to promote increased blood and oxygen flow. This, in turn, will promote healthy blood flow back to the heart. The mat will also reduce foot pressure, alleviate lower back pain (lumbar area) and joint stiffness. Additionally, increasing energy with proper blood flow.
Why the investment in anti-fatigue mats?
The average person exerts 1.5 times their weight in force on their hips and knees with every step they take. The health issues associated with standing and walking on hard surfaces will more than likely increase the need of unwanted sick leave, workman’s comp claims, urgent care trips, raise insurance premiums and keep productivity within the workforce very stagnant.
Investing in an anti-fatigue matting solution could eliminate many of these issues, making the ROI prevalent.
Why Crown Matting?
Crown Matting’s Zedlan PVC foam is patented closed-cell foam that gives a high level of durability and longevity with virtually no compression set. The characteristics of this mat include: excellent rebound, highly shock absorbent, comfortability, high level of tear and tensile strength, superior durability, naturally static dissipative, great dimensional stability and low-temp flexibility.
The Crown Team are problem solvers and ready to provide the ultimate floor matting solution. Crown will help by addressing slip and fall hazards, recommending the perfect entrance mat, eliminating dirt build-up, providing custom-tailored anti-fatigue solutions or simply offering the same exceptional service that our customers have enjoyed over 70+ years
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