How to Prevent Pain from Standing All Day at Work

In industrial and commercial work areas, personnel who are required to stand on hard surfaces for long periods of time are at an increased risk of developing chronic back and knee injuries. In order to protect employees and maximize workplace productivity, it is important to utilize proper safety matting.

Anti-fatigue mats use industrial-grade materials to provide workers with a comfortable surface to stand on. These mats are engineered to increase blood circulation and reduce discomfort in the feet, knees, and back. To help you find the anti-fatigue mat that is right for your facility, here is a look at some of the mats designed to address bodily pain resulting from standing for long periods of time. 

 Light traffic anti-fatigue mats are ideal for individual workstations or areas with relatively low foot traffic. Light traffic mats—such as the Anti-Fatigue Mat Pebble Step Sof-Tred™ Dyna-Shield® 415 or the Anti-Fatigue Mat Bubble Sof-Tred Dyna-Shield 417—often feature a PVC foam construction designed to provide comfort and relieve pain.

Many light traffic mats from NoTrax also incorporate a Dyna Shield top surface that is manufactured directly into the mat to ensure superior tensile strength and long-lasting wear. Light traffic mats are ideal for a variety of work areas, including manufacturing plants, assembly lines, or packing and logistics warehouses.

Medium traffic anti-fatigue mats are designed for higher levels of foot and cart traffic. Medium traffic mats such as the Air Pocket Anti-Fatigue Mat Skystep™ Niru® 456 or the Red Bubble Top Anti-Fatigue Mat Skystep™ 458 feature a heavy-duty, oil-resistant nitrile rubber compound construction that uses air-filled chambers to provide a comfortable working platform for personnel. For higher traffic areas, the beveled edges often incorporated into these mats will help prevent trips and falls.

Heavy traffic anti-fatigue mats often feature a modular design that can be placed in work areas with unique or unconventional layouts. Mats like the Heavy-Duty De-Flex Interlocking Thick Rubber Mat De-Flex® 570 feature mat tiles with a natural rubber construction and an interlocking design to provide users with an anti-fatigue surface that is fully adaptable to virtually any space. Heavy traffic mats also often incorporate an anti-slip design and are well suited for multi-shift operations.

Drainage anti-fatigue mats are designed to allow water to freely flow out while providing workers with reliable traction and a comfortable work area. These mats—such as the Durable Red Drainage Anti-Fatigue Mat Sanitop® 562RD and the Drainage Anti-Fatigue Mat Safety Stance® 549—are designed with large drainage holes that facilitate drainage and prevent clogging. Anti-fatigue drainage mats often incorporate a grease- and oil-resistant design, making them ideal for food processing plants or restaurants.

Fire retardant anti-fatigue mats from NoTrax are chemically treated to be slow-burning and self-extinguishing when exposed to a flame. These mats are also designed to meet the Federal Flammability Standard and NFPA Safety Code 101 Class 1. Fire retardant mats—like the Anti-Static Floor Mat Niru® Cushion-Ease® 665—are ideal for providing workers with a safe and comfortable working platform in environments where sparks, open flames, or metal shavings are prevalent.