Enhancing Production Space Ergonomics with Optimal Flooring Solutions

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Ergonomics, a key concern for Industry

Ergonomics in the workplace takes into consideration the comfort and well-being of the operators at work. Therefore, protecting employees is a key concern: 17% of work-related accidents are related to slips, trips and falls (Works Accident Fund, Belgium), and 9 professional injuries out of 10 are due to musculoskeletal injury (INRS, France).

However, one sector in particular stands out in this respect: Industry. There are a wide range of careers in this field, including machining, assembly, production, packaging, etc. As well as a variety of working environments (noisy, exposure to vibrations, repetitive tasks, etc.). In the United States, 34% of all working days lost are due to a musculoskeletal injury or illness due to ergonomics (Staples Corporate Resource Center).

To minimise these issues, the search for ever better ergonomics is essential. The aim is to improve work and safety conditions, and to promote employee well-being while avoiding any impact on manufacturer’s productivity.

Ergonomics, the floor as a key factor for improvement

A wide range of measures are taken to improve the working conditions for their employees including lighting, operator posture, the design of workstations… or equipment such as flooring.

Anyone who spends their day on their feet, on a production line for example, will confirm the importance of having a comfortable floor. Dynamic and repetitive tasks (back-and-forth journeys) and/or static tasks (standing on the assembly line) can influence muscle fatigue, stress, and the risk of work accidents. Among the variety of industrial floors available on the market, it is therefore necessary to make the right choice to meet these challenges.

In addition to the ergonomic aspects, a floor must also take into consideration the requirements of use: resistance to heavy traffic, renovation in an occupied environment, resistance to chemical products, easy of cleaning, durability, maintenance, etc.

What type of flooring should I choose to improve ergonomics at work?

A biomechanical study was carried out by LIBM (Interuniversity Laboratory of Motor Biology in France) to assess the ergonomic contribution of vinyl or “hard” floors (epoxy resin, tile, concrete, etc.).

As part of the study, men and women with an average age of 39 years and an average weight of 69 kg were fitted with sensors to analyse the impact of the floor on the human body in a work situation.

This study compares Gerflor ‘s GTI vinyl tiles with “hard” floor in terms of actual comfort and comfort perceived by the operators. The result of this study (see below) demonstrates that the GTI tile provides a significant comparative improvement in terms of ergonomics.

Key learnings : Biomechanical study results

The muscular efforts

10% reduction in muscle fatigue

3% reduction in step frequency

Shocks and vibrations

15% reduction in shocks and vibrations on the body when walking

Pressure on the knees

38% reduction on knee pressure into the ground

Key learnings : Perceived comfort results

Perceived comfort

7,5% reduction in stress when walking (pressure and muscle activation)

15% reduction in perceived fatigue when walking

20% improvement in perceived comfort when walking

Improve accoustic comfort at work

Acoustic comfort is a factor in improving working conditions. This is why the Gerflor teams have studied the contribution of the GTI tile to noise reduction in the production environment compared with a ‘hard’ floor. The results are as follows:

Reduction of cart rollers noise: -8db
Reduction of impact noise on the ground: -4db
Reduction of footsteps noise: -17db

Generally speaking, compared with a 'hard' floor, the GTI tile significantly improves ergonomics for operators.

Innovation award for ergonomics

Awarded by the IGR institut (Institut für Gesundheit und Ergonomie)

Be careful, no ergonomics without a safe workspace.

Organising workspaces is about protecting industry colleagues and preventing accident risks.

The interlocking GTI tiles make it easy to differentiate pedestrian walkways from risk areas (mechanical traffic) by zoning the tiles with different colours of the tiles and/or integrating safety logos into the thickness of the product.

Thanks to the GTI tile, you make your workspace more visible and therefore safer.

By choosing Gerflor and its GTI tile for your industrial areas, you are opting for a well-studied solution that provides comfort and well-being at work for employees while safeguarding your workplaces

Discover our GTI technical tile.

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