Orthomat® anti-fatigue matting from COBA Europe has been installed by Hotter at its Skelmersdale headquarters and manufacturing site in Lancashire, considered to be one of the most advanced shoe-making facilities in the world.
Hotter is the largest shoe manufacturer in the UK. The matting, supplied by COBA via ARCO, has been introduced to enhance the comfort and wellbeing of its employees who work in Hotter’s busy production facility.
The decision to install Orthomat® follows a survey conducted by Hotter, which revealed that staff carrying out repetitive actions, such as standing in a static position, were twice as likely to experience work-related absence, such as a fatigue, foot and muscular pain, compared to those roles where walking and movement were present.
“As a producer of Britain’s leading comfort footwear brand, it only seemed appropriate that our manufacturing and finishing staff should have a comfortable environment in which to work,” explained Hotter’s Health & Safety Manager. “Our bodies need to move, and using our muscles is good for the joints, our circulation and the heart itself. Many injuries caused by static standing for extended periods such as aches, stiffness and rheumatic diseases are a result of poor movement in work-related activities.”
Anti-fatigue mats, coupled with microbreaks, role changes and better employee ‘rest’ initiatives, are proving part of the solution for Hotter.
How anti-fatigue mats work:
The anti-fatigue mats work as they cause the legs and feet to adapt to the air cushion within the surface of the matting. It is a subtle, but effective movement. As the person moves and adapts, this encourages the same muscle contraction that we experience when walking. Movement encourages blood flow, making standing more comfortable, reducing pressure on the hips and lower back.
COBA Europe has for many years promoted the importance of ‘safe standing in the workplace’ and this led them to producing a comprehensive eBook on the subject called #StandUpForHealth.
About Orthomat®:
Orthomat® is one of COBA Europe’s best-selling anti-fatigue mats and is used by customers in a wide variety of workplace environments. It is one of an extensive range of workplace matting options available from Leicestershire headquartered COBA Europe.
Manufactured from closed cell PVC foam for underfoot cushioning, Orthomat® has a textured surface and is designed to help delay the onset of physical fatigue caused by prolonged standing. The ‘Safety’ version, as specified by Hotter, features bright yellow borders to clearly highlight the position of the mat, for enhanced safety.
Contact COBA Europe for further details about the anti-fatigue matting range, or visit the website, where a copy of the eBook #StandUpForHealth can be downloaded for free – www.cobaeurope.com
For further information, please contact COBA Europe Ltd
Telephone: +44 (0)116 240 1088 / Email: sales@cobaeurope.com www.cobaeurope.com
