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Home > Product of the Month > June 2008

SmartCells¨ Anti-Fatigue Flooring by SATECH

Problem: Employees are complaining of being tired from standing all day.

Solution: Installing anti-fatigue flooring can help alleviate that pain.

 

Standing around is not as easy as it looks. Many employees spend all day on their feet, from the barista at the local coffeehouse to the ticket counter agent at the airport. These people spend hours standing while performing their jobs. At the same time, their feet, legs, knees, and back bear the brunt of staying upright all day.

A pair of supportive shoes always helps those who have to stand. Some aspirin may temporarily relieve any soreness, but the aches and pains are sure to return. When employees suffer from common pain conditions, they become less productive. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 290, No. 18, November 12, 2003), those who work through these uncomfortable situations cost U.S. businesses an estimated $61.2 billion per year in productivity loss.

Seamless Attenuating Technologies (SATECH) has come up with a solution to improve worker comfort. The Chehalis, WA-based company, has created SmartCells¨ anti-fatigue flooring.

In developing the product, SATECH came up with nine questions to be answered about a quality anti-fatigue product:
1. Has the surface been optimized for softness and hardness?
2. Does the surface provide an adequate balance between instability and stability?
3. Does the surface resist bottoming out without being too soft?
4. Does the surface adequately respond to worker movements?
5. Does the surface balance shock attenuation (absorb energy) and resilience (return energy)?
6. Does the surface get softer as it is compressed?
7. Does the surface resist movement under use?
8. Is the surface easy to clean?
9. Is the surface durable?

Mats used in many worker areas wear out quickly. This is especially true if thicker, softer materials are used. Over time cushioning in these floor coverings gets compressed, and surfaces that are hard or bottom out easily may not be an improvement over standing on nothing. When the worn out mats are, consequently, stacked on top of each other to increase support, they create trip hazards and liability issues.

SATECH uses its SmartCells to help eliminate these issues. This U.S.-manufactured technology consists of a matrix of hollow cylinders that function like springs and get softer when compressed. The technology offers a stable, responsive walking and standing surface that balances stability and instability to reduce fatigue. A study at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that anti-fatigue matting can reduce weariness by as much as 50%.

The flooring has been designed to be Òin-phaseÓ with the movements of the body. So when a person takes a step, the return (or rebound) requires less energy to help someone remain stable. Why? The flooring, like a spring, is assisting with the movement.

The SmartCells technology, which incorporates post recyclable materials, can be used to cover entire floors or placed under carpeting, making it ready for use in manufacturing plants, warehouses, assembly lines, labs.

Many airlines use SATECH's products in 30 different U.S. airports, including ones in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. SmartCell flooring can be laid to cover a complete area from one end of the ticket counter to the other and back to the conveyer belt.

Additionally, SmartCells can be used in healthcare facilities. The cushioned surface can reduce injuries from falls, especially in older patients who may be susceptible to fracturing bones on harder, traditional flooring. Falls account for 87% of fractures in people over the age of 65.

The mats come in three sizes: 2'x3', 3'x5', and a 22" diameter portable mat. They weigh two pounds per square foot and are available in five colors: black, green, blue, brown, and grease resistant black.

The solid molded rubber edges are made to resist damage and warping. Cleaning can be accomplished with a broom, vacuum, or mop. Along with mats and complete flooring systems, SATECH makes runners and platforms using SmartCells technology.

SmartCells flooring, which comes with an eight-year warranty, presents an option for facility managers (fms) looking to create a more comfortable environment for employees. At the same time, fms may be able to reduce accidents and increase productivity, because staff members are taking care of their work instead of complaining about what hurts.

For more information, Write 279.

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