designed anti-fatigue mats are cost-effec-tive solutions that make a dramatic impact. Anti-fatigue mats are designed to decrease the stress on the feet and legs by providing a cushioning surface for people to stand on over prolonged periods of time. Further, they are crafted with the ideal balance between shock attenuation and resilience. Anti-fatigue mats also provide additional support by properly absorbing and return-ing energy, which works in combination to relieve back and leg strain for increased worker comfort. Cost-effective Sustainability Along with safety and comfort, mats are also a crucial component to facility-wide sustain-ability, which includes such factors as floor-ing and equipment longevity, green cleaning techniques, reduced energy and labor. Promoting sustainability is a direct link to improving a company’s return on invest-ment, especially since nearly 90 percent of all maintenance expenses arise from labor. Utilizing a mat program can effectively improve sustainability with minimal effort. For example, it only takes 500 people entering and leaving a building to generate three pounds of dirt, but it can cost up to $800 to remove just one pound of dirt from a commercial building. With mats in place, dirt from foot traffic will be trapped within the fibers, and they should be cleaned utilizing a professional mat laundering service. Given the dirt-locking quality of their fibers, vacuuming becomes less effective over time, collecting only 10 percent of dirt particles from floor mats. Therefore, by laundering the mats, facili-ties minimize costs and laborious mainte-nance requirements. Additionally, moisture tracked in from the outdoors damages hard floors and can pre-maturely wear carpeting, requiring excessive maintenance and premature replacement or repairs — increasing costs and labor. Floor mats prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating on carpets or hard surfaces, which diminishes unsightly damage. By preventing such damage from occur-ring, floor mats increase the lifespan of flooring, as well as significantly reduce the amount of required maintenance. The previously mentioned two-mat sys-tem also works to enhance sustainability by improving IAQ. Maintaining safety and sustainability con-tinue to be two of the most influential areas of cost savings in facilities. As expending money towards workers’ compensation claims and facility repairs continues to increase, utilizing mats will help prevent typical wear and tear, as well as eliminate common safety risks. Facility managers will experience immedi-ate and significant improvements with ease and little investment. CM Chris Mayer is the director of facility services for AmeriPride Services Inc. For over 100 years, AmeriPride has been providing uniform and linen solutions to various industries. For more information, visit www.AmeriPride.com. Product Information no. XXX on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 37
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