With the support of OnePoll, COBA surveyed 1,000 non-office workers who stand for at least four hours a day to uncover the mental and physical health risks associated with prolonged standing.
These findings shine a light on conditions in manufacturing, retail, hospitality and healthcare, where workers struggle with lower back, foot and knee pain – among other issues.
These sectors rely on standing workers, yet many people suffer from preventable health problems that they associate with their working conditions.
It’s time to shine a light on this issue and take action to protect the wellbeing of our workforce.
Standing for hours is a daily reality for many workers. On the surface this might seem harmless, but our research has uncovered a number of risks, including:
Thankfully, the right support can significantly enhance workplace comfort and productivity. Anti-fatigue mats encourage subtle movements to reduce muscle fatigue and promote circulation, helping to reduce strain and discomfort during the working day. In fact, four out of five workers who had used anti-fatigue mats said they were helpful.
While not legally required, providing anti-fatigue mats demonstrates a commitment to employee wellbeing and aligns with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states:
“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all employees.”
Recognising that every workplace is unique, MatBrain™ assists in identifying the ideal matting solution for your specific needs. For added confidence, our experts offer site surveys to ensure you get the Right Mat, First Time™.
Connor explains that standing for extended periods forces our muscles to work continuously to maintain posture against gravity. Over time, this constant effort and limited movement can lead to muscle soreness and fatigue, as well as joint stiffness. Prolonged standing can also contribute to the development of musculoskeletal problems, or worsen existing issues.
Connor suggests reducing the impact of prolonged standing by taking regular breaks to move around. If that’s not possible, try simple exercises at your workstation, like gentle heel raises or squats, to give your body a change of position. He also recommends incorporating physical activity outside of work, whether it’s walking, going to the gym, or anything you enjoy, to get your body moving and strengthen your muscles.
Connor highlights the importance of employers prioritising the health and wellbeing of staff who spend long hours standing. This could involve introducing simple practices such as “exercise snacking” which are short, 20 – 30 second exercises to break up prolonged standing. Employers might also consider carrying out ergonomic assessments of the workplace or investing in equipment like anti-fatigue mats, designed to reduce the strain of standing for extended periods.
Standing for prolonged periods can lead to muscle soreness and tightness, as well as joint stiffness. Anti-fatigue mats are designed to mitigate these effects by promoting subtle movements to reduce the strain of maintaining a static, standing posture.
Share the survey results with your network by downloading our infographic. Available under the Creative Commons licence.
How working on your feet can impact your health by COBA is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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