How to Scientifically Quarantine
Fatigue in the Workplace
AQIS' innovative
matting tested for safety by the CSIRO
 As
Australia’s workforce ages, more and more people
are becoming aware of the wear and tear on bodies imposed
by standing for long periods.
Quite apart from the distraction to work in hand posed
by discomfort, one of the most common and costly threats
to a workplace safety program is the slip and fall accident,
the danger of which increases as the workforce ages.
Standing workers are usually on their feet for at least
four hours a day, and some, for an entire shift. In fact,
industrial and service industry employees are working more
hours than ever – and as more processes become automated,
there is an even greater need for people to stand while
performing their jobs.
One employer that has been quick to recognise the human
and financial benefits of preventing discomfort and accidents
is the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service of
the Department of Agriculture and fisheries, AQIS.
AQIS recently installed an internationally acclaimed safety,
ergonomic and anti-fatigue matting at mail processing centres
in NSW and Victoria where workers stand for extended periods
in screening, inspection and processing areas.
AQIS consulted with the General Mat Company before specifying
Safety Alert SpongeCote No. 416, one of the largest-selling
products of its type in the world and manufactured by the
Tennessee Mat Company in the USA, where worker welfare
and accident prevention is a national priority.
Safety Alert SpongeCote No. 416 features a tough diamond
embossed Koroseal® vinyl surface for optimum traction,
with a 10mm thick Nitricell™ sponge base for industry
benchmark standards of comfort.
Suitable for all dry work areas and resistant to chemicals,
abrasions and fire, the performance of Safety Alert SpongeCote
was proven recently when General Mat Company submitted
it for testing by the Building, Construction and Engineering
Section of the CSIRO.
The CSIRO conducted assessments under its Slip Resistance
Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials programme.
The tests included wet pendulum tests and dry floor friction
tests to AS/NZS 4586-1999.
"Possibly for the first time in the history of the
Australian safety matting industry, we have scientifically
proven just how good these products are," says GMC
Managing Director Mr Michael Siegle. "Users of the
product can now demonstrate with scientific certainty the
effectiveness of safety programmes which incorporate the
product," he said, adding that 1.2km of Safety Alert
SpongeCote has also been installed at the new Australia
Post Letters Centre in Dandenong, Victoria.
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Safety
Alert
Finished
with safety bevelled edging and yellow chevron
safety borders |
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