Walk Sequencing CSS Machines - Anti-Fatigue Carpets

Post by **POSTMAN** » 04 Jan 2011, 16:34

LTB 002/11 - Walk Sequencing CSS Machines - Anti-Fatigue Carpets:

Dear Colleagues

Re: Walk Sequencing CSS Machines - Anti-Fatigue Carpets:

Representations have been made to speed up the process of obtaining anti-fatigue carpets for offices receiving CSS Machines as staff at several offices have reported fatigue caused by standing for long periods on the concrete floors which is causing problems and this has been raised by several of our Area Safety Reps.

We argued that with expenditure of around £90k per machine, there should be no quibbling about £300 carpets. These are specially produced cushioned carpets which we argued should be fitted as a matter of course to all CSS Machine work areas on installation as a standard provision.

Our position was that health, safety and staff wellbeing is such an important issue that to provide safe and ergonomically comfortable flooring materials that protects the workforce whilst maintaining productivity is important. Anti-fatigue matting substantially reduces stress, tiredness, aches and pains from standing on hard floors at work. This leads to a healthier, happier and more productive workforce.. Results of standing, working long periods on hard concrete floors can result in:-
A - Low back pain caused by excessive stress on the spine and back muscles
B - Blood stagnates causing varicose veins to develop
C - Fatigued muscles resulting from long term standing on a hard surface
D - Arch and heel pain due to excessive flattening of the foot

Staff have been reported that it was only after using the machines for a couple of weeks that the moderate to severe problems with feet, legs and back was experienced and brought to Area Safety Reps' attention.

Following ergonomic investigation which resulted in support for the Union's position, Royal Mail have changed their policy and Anti-Fatigue Carpets will now be installed in every site retrospectively. The policy is for CSS machines only.

Royal Mail Letters have placed a bulk order and the carpets will be rolled out from January to all offices that have not previously received them and carpets will be supplied with all new installations.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 04 Jan 2011, 18:51

How about some of those poor babies come out and do a delivery to see what fatigue really is

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 05 Jan 2011, 04:48

That's a completely different cause of fatigue. But the effects can be as bad. You're talking about fatigue, caused by excessive physical exertion. They're talking about fatigue, caused by standing in the same position for too long. Similar symptoms, entirely different cause. If only it was so simple to relieve your fatigue.

Post by **stokes11eg** » 07 Jan 2011, 16:56

Well' I've got A.B.Cand D, and the rest of the alphabet, no red carpets for us mugs out on 'walks'---

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 07 Jan 2011, 18:55

stokes11eg wrote: Well' I've got A.B.Cand D, and the rest of the alphabet, no red carpets for us mugs out on 'walks'---

You need to leave those poor wee babbys alone, they have it really hard working for 10 minutes between their breaks.

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 08 Jan 2011, 14:42

stokes11eg wrote: Well' I've got A.B.Cand D, and the rest of the alphabet, no red carpets for us mugs out on 'walks'---

That's precisely the problem. The only way to relieve fatigue from overexhertion, is to reduce the workload. And let's face it, RM only care about H&S if it's going to save them money in the long run (reducing sick absence in this case), unless they risk being porsecuted or sued.

For the record: I don't work on those machines. But if something that simple, can improve the health of those who use it. Then why shouldn't they get the mats?

Solving the problem of injuries from unrealistic workloads. Well, that's much harder to solve. Especially with an employer like RM.

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 10 Jan 2011, 10:57

Anti-fatigue mats are very beneficial to the health of people who have to stand in one place for an extended period of time. The reason these mats have so many benefits is pure physics -- anti-fatigue mats counteract the massive forces exerted on the body's pressure points, joints, limbs and muscles caused by gravity and the repetitive pounding by walking. Here are some of the problems presented by extended standing and walking and the solutions that anti-fatigue mats provide.

Standing for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces, causes many physical problems. This includes weariness and pain. A well made anti-fatigue mat will cause the body's muscles to slowly contract and expand as they conform to the anti-fatigue mat's flexibility. This muscle movement increases the flow of blood and the amount of oxygen that is reaching the heart. Blood flow is facilitated, taking less energy away from the individual. In turn, this reduces fatigue for the entire body.

Standing on hard flooring for a long time is very fatiguing. It elicits major physical exhaustion because your body's heart and muscles must work extra hard against gravity to maintain blood flow. Muscles in the legs begin to become stationary and constricted as they work harder to keep the body upright. The heart works harder at getting blood to these constricted areas. Blood flow is reduced while at the same time blood and fluids begin to accumulate in the lower extremities, causing varicose veins. The issues associated with standing for a long time have been researched extensively. The damage that standing for long periods of time causes to our body is severe and can lead to health complications as serious as stroke, cancer and heart failure.

Anti-fatigue mats increase comfort and reduce overall pain by absorbing the colossal amount of force exerted on a body from standing or walking. Anyone who is not in pain will definitely be more productive! Standing or walking on concrete is particularly damaging because concrete is rigid, providing no shock absorbency. Simply walking on a hard floor is like striking the heel with a hammer every time you take a step. These mats are like giant shock absorbers, which provide a cushiony surface to walk on. This reduces that "hammering" effect on the feet. The cushiony effect reduces pressure on specific points in the joints, connective tissue and muscles. The shock absorption that an anti-fatigue mat provides protects the body from the ravages of gravity and exertion.

Anti-fatigue mats can counteract the complications of long-term standing in so many other ways. They reduce problems like spinal compression. They reduce fatigue by providing better circulation and less pain in not only the feet, but also the legs, spine, back and neck. Other benefits of these mats include less doctor's visits, less time off from work, fewer accidents due to slipping or fatigue and less worker's compensation claims. The benefits are both short-and-long term. The gains are far-reaching. A little investment in anti-fatigue mats can bring great returns!

PhilthyPhil · Post by **PhilthyPhil** » 10 Jan 2011, 11:37

Why is this only a problem for CSS operators and not other machine operators? If it is a problem for other machine operators why don't they get the mats too? £300 seems a bit of a rip off to me, but then RM seem to get ripped off with everything they buy.

Post by **stokes11eg** » 10 Jan 2011, 14:26

Think I'll apply for some, and stick them to the bottom of my shoes.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 10 Jan 2011, 16:06

stokes11eg wrote: Think I'll apply for some, and stick them to the bottom of my shoes.

No just nick them from the MC and make your own anti fatigue shoes.

Post by **stokes11eg** » 10 Jan 2011, 17:16

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
stokes11eg wrote: Think I'll apply for some, and stick them to the bottom of my shoes.

No just nick them from the MC and make your own anti fatigue shoes.

Your posts are geting almost as bad as DGP'S!

DGP1 · Post by **DGP1** » 10 Jan 2011, 18:10

stokes11eg wrote:
TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
stokes11eg wrote: Think I'll apply for some, and stick them to the bottom of my shoes.

No just nick them from the MC and make your own anti fatigue shoes.
Your posts are geting almost as bad as DGP'S!

Everyone is coming down to my level

Post by **stokes11eg** » 11 Jan 2011, 15:11

DGP1 wrote:
stokes11eg wrote:
TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
stokes11eg wrote: Think I'll apply for some, and stick them to the bottom of my shoes.

No just nick them from the MC and make your own anti fatigue shoes.
Your posts are geting almost as bad as DGP'S!
Everyone is coming down to my level

God help us all. It's the job we're in of course, I've aways told folks I'm a street walking bag lady.

Solystic slave · Post by **Solystic slave** » 13 Jan 2011, 06:06

At a DO in Liverpool they have smaller fatigue mats at their delivery frames. Having worked on them it is so much better than the hard floor.

RedBagMan · Post by **RedBagMan** » 30 Jan 2011, 15:14

POSTMAN wrote:Royal Mail Letters have placed a bulk order and the carpets will be rolled out from January

... well I thought that was funny