There has been much research that shows a direct relationship between comfort, safety and productivity in the workplace. Worker discomfort and fatigue impacts productivity, causes higher absenteeism and increases healthcare costs (Cham and Redfern, University of Pittsburgh).

How does pain and fatigue set in for the standing and mobile worker?

• Standing requires 20% more energy than sitting
• Leg muscles contract as they work to keep us upright
• The longer a person stands the tighter muscles contract thus restraint blood flow thus restricting blood flow
• Blood pools and muscles become stressed and exhausted
• The body can’t distinguish between different types of fatigue
• Muscles that are tired by static work take more than 10 times longer to recover from fatigue
• Most personal injury and accidents and costly mistakes occur towards the end shifts

As little as 2 hours of standing can significantly impact the worker.

Employees that experience pain and or fatigue are:

• Less productive
• Less attentive
• More prone to make consistent mistakes
• More susceptible to injury
• More likely to jeopardize the health and safety of other workers

Pain and fatigue cost North American companies billions ever year. Over the course of a year, every minute of lost production cost the average company $100.00.  For example, 15 minute’s per day cost $1500.00 per year.

Before ErgoMates, the only option companies had to combat worker fatigue for the standing worker was to implement an anti-fatigue matting system in their environment, or, a more costly solution, to redesign the environment all together.

It is commonly accepted that concrete is the worst floor surface to stand on for an extended period of time.  Anti-fatigue mats laid over hard surfaces, have been ergonomically designed to relieve pressure and provide effective shock attenuation.

These mats are made of various materials including rubber, vinyl and carpeting.  By alleviating pressure, they can help stimulate blood circulation and dramatically reduce stress to the lower back, leg joints and major muscle groups. Studies have shown that anti-fatigue mats were able to reduce fatigue by as much as 50% (Cham and Redfern, University of Pittsburgh). The result is an improved workplace with higher productivity and fewer occupational health complaints and associated costs.

While these matting systems are highly effective, there are a lot of other factors to consider before purchasing this type of product.  These include, the proper thickness and cushioning of the material, accommodating hygiene requirements and the cost to cover the entire surface area needed. An employer must also take into consideration chemical damage to the matting systems and consideration chemical damage to the matting system and other safety issues relating to the movement of equipment and personnel throughout the area.

The Comfortable Solution

ErgoMates are a patent-pending innovative way to help increase the effectiveness of an anti-fatigue matting program.  ErgoMates provides matting to the mobile worker or in the areas where traditional matting systems would be ineffective due to machinery or space constraints.

By strapping ErgoMates to existing footwear and safety boots, employees take the mat with them.  The innovative 2-ply sole addresses both issues of fatigue and impact shock.  Wearing ErgoMates while standing causes muscles to expand and contract as they adjust to the flexibility of the sole. This muscle movement increases blood flow and the oxygen reaching the heart, thus greatly reducing fatigue. The elastic properties of ErgoMates resembles the natural shock absorption of uncompressed soil, similar to walking on grass.

Every foot movement with an ErgoMate is absorbed by the give in the soles reducing the effects of impact. When workers have full confidence that they will be safe, healthy and relatively comfortable at work, they are more productive.

Until the introduction of ErgoMates, the insole was the only part of the shoe to address comfort and reduce impact shock. By putting the cushion on the outsole, the majority of the impact shock is reduced far more than any insole available on the market.  This is because ErgoMates dissipate much of the impact before it ever hits the hard sole.  Presently there is neither an insole nor outsole on the market that can duplicate our ability to reduce fatigue and impact shock.

ErgoMates are not a replacement to safety footwear or regular footwear, nor should they replace existing anti-fatigue matting. They have been designed to complement a successful, well designed ergonomic matting system and to enhance the life of the footwear while maintaining all CSA warranties on safety shoes and boots.