Productivity Increases from Anti-Fatigue Mat Use

The Cost of Worker Injury

The anti-fatigue mats can be expected to significantly reduce the incidence of cumulative trauma injuries to the feet, legs and lower back. The Bureau of Worker's Compensation collects official data on injuries. While each company is unique, this data provides an indication of the trends involved. Using the state of Ohio as an example, the number of claims for inflammation and irritation of joints, tendons and muscles more than doubled from 1985 to 1990, from 3513 to 7584 claims. As the average age of the workforce continues to climb, this trend will continue.

The number of lower back injuries resulting in lost time rose 30% from 1985 to 1990. In 1990, 19,181 such claims were filed in Ohio. The lower back is significantly relaxed by the use of anti-fatigue product.

Anti-fatigue mats work to prevent cumulative trauma injuries. The estimated average direct cost of such an injury was $12,801 in 1990. The average cost of a lower back injury was $24,724.

To an individual company, the cost of worker injury is reflected in its worker's compensation costs and in hidden costs for medical treatment, time lost to paperwork for supervisors and unearned benefits for workers on medical leave. Increased absenteeism and turnover are additional costly consequences of worker injury. Any savings here go directly to the bottom line.

The Gains from Productivity Increases

Most people will agree that removing pain from the workplace makes good business sense since employees will perform more productively and with greater accuracy.

An investment in employee comfort offers a definite return because a comfortable worker no longer feels the need to take breaks or move around to relieve pain. Many anti-fatigue mat users report productivity gains in excess of five percent after installing our anti-fatigue matting.