Standing at work is harming the health of Britain’s workers
New research may be a stark wake-up call for UK employers, as four out of five respondents to a new survey say their working conditions harm their health.
With the support of One Poll, COBA surveyed 1,000 non-office workers who stand for at least four hours a day, and have revealed significant mental and physical health risks from prolonged standing.
The findings shine a light on conditions in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality and healthcare, where workers reported suffering from multiple ailments, including lower back pain (46%) foot pain (33%) and knee pain (29%).
What is workplace fatigue?
Workplace fatigue refers to a state of mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or intense work activities, stress, or inadequate rest. It is a significant issue that can negatively impact both employees and employers, reducing productivity, increasing the likelihood of errors, and posing safety risks.
Prevalence of Workplace Ailments and the Need for Ergonomic Solutions
Most respondents reported more than one health problem – almost three issues per person on average – with lower back pain (46%), foot pain (33%), and knee pain (29%) being the most commonly reported ailments. These findings suggest significant overlap among the reported health problems, as many respondents indicated experiencing multiple types of pain simultaneously.
The prevalence of these ailments underscores the impact of physical discomfort on daily activities, including workplace productivity and overall well-being.
This data highlights the importance of ergonomic interventions, such as anti-fatigue matting, to address common pain points and improve employee comfort.
Break down
The survey results clearly show that fatigue has a massive impact on workers standing for long periods, specifically those who stand in a static position. Despite the impact that standing has had on these employee’s health and finances, less than half (43%) of respondents have been offered any type of solution by their employer, such as extra breaks, a chair, or an anti-fatigue mat.
Our Expert Recommendation
Although anti-fatigue mats are not legally mandated, The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 2.1, emphasises that “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all employees.” Providing proper solutions, such as anti-fatigue mats, not only supports compliance with this principle but also reflects a commitment to employee well-being. These mats offer comfort, helping to alleviate challenges such as standing for extended periods and exposure to cold floors. Recognising that every workplace is unique, we’ve developed Matbrain – a decision-making tool designed to help you or your customers identify the best anti-fatigue matting solution for any specific environment or application.
Our team of experts is also available to assist with site surveys to ensure the “Right Mat, First Time” is specified.
Insights from Connor Raffinato, Chartered Physiotherapist
The effects of standing for too long
Connor mentions when we’re standing for a long period of time, what can happen in our bodies is that our muscles are working constantly to keep us upright against gravity. Over time, if you think about your shifts at work, doing this continuously can lead to muscles feeling sore and more fatigued. Over a longer period, this can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, joints can become quite stiff from lack of movement, and you might find that after work you feel the need to sit or lie down to ease the pressure.
How to minimise the effects of fatigue
Connor suggests minimising the effects of standing for a long time by taking regular breaks from the static position. Now that might not always be feasible, so do some exercises at your workstation like gentle heel raises or squats. This might allow your body a little bit of a change of position which can help reduce the effects of standing for a long period of time. Connor also advises doing some exercise outside of work, which could be walking or going to the gym, anything that you enjoy! Just to get out and get your body moving.
Invest in the health of your employees
Connor’s advice to employers, with a workforce that stands for long periods, is to invest in their health and well-being. This could include practices like exercise snacking—small exercises lasting 20 to 30 seconds that help break up prolonged standing. It might also involve conducting ergonomic assessments of working conditions or investing in workplace equipment designed for those who stand for extended periods, such as anti-fatigue mats.
How does an anti-fatigue mat help?
Standing for prolonged periods can lead to muscle soreness, tightness, and joint stiffness. An Anti-fatigue Mat is designed to mitigate these effects by promoting subtle movements that reduce the strain of static standing postures.
Learn how our team assists a wide variety of industries with Anti-fatigue Mats
Download the Infographic
Click below to download our infographic media file and share the results of the survey with your readers. Available under the Creative Commons licence.
How working on your feet can impact your health by COBA is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Our team develops Buying Guides to assist with learning more about fatigue
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