Osha Requirements For Anti Fatigue Mats

The organization issued ansi assea 1264 2 2001 the standard for the provision of slip resistance on walking working surfaces.

Osha requirements for anti fatigue mats. While osha currently has no general industry standard requiring the use of anti fatigue matting osha does make reference to the value of these mats in their guidelines for employers in the retail trade and restaurant industries. Safety is an issue we take very seriously at xpressmats and we are sure it is something all our customers value. Osha mandates that workplaces have clean floors but ansi issued regulations in 2001 about updating floor standard systems with mats. Whenever you require employees to stand for long periods of time in one location anti fatigue mats should be a consideration.

The occupational safety and health administration does not have regulations or standards specifically for anti fatigue mats but in its ergonomics publication the government body recommends their use for employees who need to work in uncomfortable positions. Discomfort tiredness and sore feet legs knees or hips after long hours of standing are the combined effect of several factors namely the design of the. Products are placed into one of several totes that can extend up to 96 inches from the location of the pod. Standing on anti fatigue mats as compared to bare floors provides a noticeable improvement in comfort.

Items on the top of the pod compartments are not to exceed 10 pounds and those on the lower levels can weigh up to 29 pounds. Use footrests and anti fatigue mats in areas where workers stand for prolonged periods. Toe space allows cashiers to move closer to the checkstand decreasing reaching requirements. No standards exist specific to healthcare settings.

The human cost of standing in the workplace. While there is no specific osha policy on extended or unusual shifts the fair labor standards act flsa states that any work over 40 hours in a 168 hour period is counted as overtime. However providing a mat may not solve the entire problem. There is a reference to anti fatigue floor mats in the central supply section of osha s hospital etool web page but it is only a recommendation that if enforced would have to come under the general duty clause.