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Anti Fatigue Mats & Matting

Anti Fatigue Mats improve comfort for workers who spend long periods of time standing on their feet. The soft texture of Anti Fatigue Mats encourages small muscle movements, improving blood flow and boosting energy. Choose foam-based mats for light to medium duty areas, or vinyl-topped mats for a more durable matting. - Click to learn more about Anti Fatigue Mats & Matting

More information about Anti Fatigue Mats & Matting


Anti fatigue mats are floor mats that improve comfort, productivity, and safety by reducing the physical effects of prolonged standing. The mats provide users with a softer surface to stand on, easing pressure on back and leg joints, and they encourage better blood circulation. Together, these effects reduce fatigue, creating a better and healthier environment for workers.

The Benefits of Using Anti Fatigue Mats

People unfamiliar with Anti Fatigue Mats are sometimes sceptical about their effectiveness. However, in 2015, an independent study found that:

  • 75% of businesses that used Anti-Fatigue matting or flooring said they found an overall improvement in staff well-being
  • 44% of respondents said the matting has a positive impact on productivity.
  • 23% of the businesses also confirmed that absenteeism had reduced due to using anti fatigue mats.

Several other studies, including one by Loughborough University, also concluded that anti fatigue mats provided many benefits to users, resulting in better well-being and productivity.

Read our article ‘What Are Anti Fatigue Mats’ to learn more about the science behind these safety-boosting floor mats.

How to Choose Your Anti Fatigue Mat

There are many anti fatigue mats to choose from, and choosing the right one for your needs is important to reap the benefits and ensure its longevity.

Below is a guide on what to look out for when buying your anti fatigue mats, but with First Mats, an expert is only a phone call away, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch about choosing the best mats and flooring for your needs.

Anti Fatigue Mat Sizes

Choosing anti fatigue mats and flooring of appropriate sizes for your workspace is essential.

  • The minimum recommended mat size for standard industrial workstations is 90cm x 150cm, which allows ample movement within the work area.
  • For bigger spaces, like production lines or areas with lots of swarf, large anti fatigue mats are advisable to trap more swarf and enhance safety.
  • Anti fatigue mat rolls, available in various widths and a length of 18.3 metres, can also be custom-sized and are finished with bevelled edges for safety.

Using Anti Fatigue Mats on Wet or Oily Floors

Anti fatigue mats are most commonly made from a foam-based material, but while these are absolutely fine in dry areas, they won’t last on frequently wet or oily floors. As a brief guide, we suggest that:

Anti fatigue mats are also available for specialist applications, such as fire-resistant mats for welding bays, hygienic mats for use in sterile environments, and mats for oil refineries with grit-textured surfaces for extra grip.

Anti Fatigue Mats with Wheeled Traffic

If trolleys and pallet trucks are likely to roll over the mat, we recommend avoiding foam but using solid rubber or vinyl-topped mats instead.

Top choices include the Diamond-Foam Anti-Fatigue Mat, which has a protective vinyl top layer, or the solid rubber Fatigue-Step mat, suitable for trolleys and wheeled traffic.

Light, Medium or Heavy-Duty Usage

Differentmat materials work better depending on the level of usage. Foam-based mats suit lighter and less frequent use in dry areas. A toughened mat like the High Wear-Resistant Anti-Fatigue Mat or a vinyl-topped foam mat is recommended where the use is more demanding or constant.

Rubber mats with holes are recommended in areas with machine swarf, such as workshops with lathes and milling machines, because they can trap small machining debris. This keeps surrounding floors cleaner and safer while providing the benefits of a standard anti fatigue mat. See our range of Swarf Mats for more information.

Anti Fatigue Mats with Yellow Edges

The standard colour for anti fatigue matting and flooring is black, but many are available with a yellow or hazard border. This improves visibility, reducing the user's risk of tripping on the mat’s edge.

If you’ve been asked to source anti fatigue mats following a health and safety audit or by an operations manager, a mat with a yellow border may have been specified, so double-checking the requirements is advised before ordering.


anti fatigue mat with yellow border

Example of an Industrial Anti Fatigue Mats with a Yellow Safety Border

Need Help Finding the Right Anti Fatigue Mat?

If you’re looking for Anti Fatigue Mats for your workplace, there are many reasons to contact First Mats;

  • Need them fast? Many of our standard-sized mats are available with next-day delivery, and even custom-sized mats are often available within three to five working days. If you have an urgent requirement, let us know.
  • Not sure who to trust? Since launching in 2016, First Mats has supplied thousands of mats, to organisations of all sizes, including Airbus, JCB, DHL, and the BBC.
  • Need to speak to someone? Our team of experts at First Mats is only a phone call away, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about anti fatigue mats.
  • Want mats that will last? We have one of the largest anti fatigue mat ranges anywhere in Europe, with models for specific applications. Our mats are also sourced from ISO quality-approved suppliers and tested for slip and wear resistance.

Where are Anti Fatigue Mats Used?

Anti Fatigue Matting can be found in any environment where workers must spend long periods standing in one place. Some areas they are commonly found include;

  • Manufacturing & Warehouses – Either individual mats, made to measure anti fatigue rolls, flooring or modular tiles.
  • Hotel Receptions – Aesthetically pleasing standing mats with marble design patterns
  • Bars, Restaurants & other “wet” areas – check the product descriptions to determine suitability.
  • Commercial Kitchen and Food production areas – Please browse our range of Swarf Matting for this application.
  • Classrooms – in a 2018 First Mats survey, 69% of teachers stated that they experienced regular or occasional pain from prolonged standing.
  • Hair Salons
  • Electronic Component production facilities (using Anti-Static ESD matting)

Anti-Fatigue mat in an industrial Environment
Anti Fatigue Mats being used in an industrial manufacturing facility.

 

Anti Fatigue Mat FAQs

  • Do anti fatigue mats actually work? - Independent studies have shown that anti fatigue mats are highly effective, and can significantly reduce the effects of fatigue and pain caused by prolonged standing.
  • Do anti fatigue mats increase productivity? - Studies have shown that the benefits of anti-fatigue mats include better productivity, thanks to their ability to make workers more comfortable on their feet.
  • Are thicker anti fatigue mats better? - Thicker is not always better, as a surface that's too thick and too soft will be unstable and unsafe to stand on. The standard thickness of an anti fatigue mat ranges from 9mm to 14mm, which provides the fatigue-fighting benefits while also being safe to stand on.
  • What are anti fatigue mats made from? - Standard anti fatigue mats are made from microcellular foam, which is comfortable to stand on. For more demanding industrial settings, choose rubber or vinyl-topped anti fatigue mats.
  • Can anti fatigue mats be used with oil? - Most anti-fatigue mats are made from foam or natural rubber, so they aren't compatible with oil. Instead, choose an anti fatigue mat made from nitrile rubber.
  • Is it safe to roll a trolley over an anti-fatigue mat? - Trolley wheels quickly damage standard foam-based mats. If your workplace uses trolleys, consider a rubber or vinyl-topped anti-fatigue mat.
  • How long do Industrial Anti Fatigue Mats last? - The lifespan of an anti fatigue mat depends entirely on the usage. If you are using a suitable mat for the environment, you should expect at least three years of usage before replacing the mats.
  • Can anti-fatigue mats be stuck to the floor? - We strongly advise against sticking anti fatigue mats to the floor with adhesive as this will damage the mat when you try to move it.

 

Author Information: The following article has been written by the team at First Mats, combining years of experience with detailed research. This enables us to provide customers like yourself with the best information to help you find the right anti fatigue mats for your needs and how to use them properly and safely.

References;


First Mats Choice






Further Reading for Anti Fatigue Mats & Matting



Anti-fatigue mats are one of the best, most cost-effective ways of improving health and safety at your premises and boosting employee productivity and engagement. There are many different types of...

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Anti-fatigue mats are ergonomic floor coverings that minimise fatigue from prolonged standing on hard surfaces. Made typically from rubber or specialised foam, these mats provide a softer surface to stand...

Read the Full Article

There are many reasons to use anti-fatigue mats in your workplace. They reduce the fatigue effects from standing in one place for too long whilst reducing the slip risks, they...

Read the Full Article