FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SATECH SmartCells® Anti-Fatigue Flooring
Taking Off in Airports and Airline Industry
Custom-fit flooring uses new ergonomic technology and design to save money, improve productivity and reduce fatigue and injuries
Smiling airline worker standing on SmartCells flooring
Chehalis, Wash., — June 27, 2007
News Facts:
- A growing number of airports and airlines around the country are installing innovative, anti-fatigue flooring to prevent worker injury and improve productivity.
- Anti-fatigue matting significantly decreases the pain and fatigue associated with standing and walking on hard surfaces. A study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh concluded that anti-fatigue matting can reduce fatigue by as much as 50 percent.
- According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, most workers stay on the job and become less productive when they suffer from common pain conditions which costs U.S. businesses an estimated $61.2 billion per year.
- Typically mats have been used behind ticket counters, but they do not adequately cover the work space, wear out quickly and as a result are often stacked up creating trip hazards and liability.The SmartCells® counter-to-conveyer floor design eliminates these issues while providing the benefits anti-fatigue mats seek to provide.
- SmartCells is a new generation of ergonomic technology from SATECH which is used in the design of custom rubber flooring and matting that is optimized to reduce fatigue in standing workers.
- SmartCells® anti-fatigue systems are currently in use by more than 30 airports and most airlines around the country.
How it works:
- The SmartCells anti-fatigue flooring and matting is particularly effective among standing and kneeling workers at airports and airlines. Manufactured from durable, synthetic rubber, SmartCells technology consists of a matrix of hollow cylinders that function like springs and actually get softer when compressed--unlike typical foam mats that get harder when compressed. The unique cushioning technology offers a stable, responsive walking and standing surface that provides a balance of stability and instability that is optimized to reduce fatigue. SmartCells systems are particularly effective for standing workers in manufacturing, retail, airport, warehouse, assembly, laboratory and post office environments. Typical airport installations include flooring areas behind ticket counters, in conveyer and baggage service areas and at check-in and security gates.
Benefits of SmartCells Technology:
- Increases productivity- SmartCells technology enables workers to be more productive by reducing their pain associated with standing, walking or kneeling for long periods of time.
- Improves workplace safety- SmartCells eliminate the need to stack worn out mats and as a result reduce trip hazards. SmartCells also provide better protection for workers who fall, reducing the probability of workers' compensation claims.
- Provide better durability- SmartCells typically last 2-4 times longer than foam mats and are covered by an 8-year warranty.
Quotes:
Attributed to Sam Boschelli, superintendent of airport facilities at the Albany, New York airport,
"I have been in the construction industry for 30 years and this is the best flooring product I have seen," said Sam Boschelli, superintendent of airport facilities at the Albany, New York airport. "We no longer have complaints from ticket agents about tired feet and sore backs. Trip hazards have been eliminated."
Attributed to Bryce Betteridge, SATECH president,
"SmartCells technology is more than custom flooring. Its unique rubber structure is designed to function like a spring that returns energy to standing workers. This makes a day on your feet much more bearable and has proven to reduce pain and fatigue. This means happier workers who serve you better."
SmartCells installations:
Airports: The growing list of airports using the SmartCells technology include Seattle, Wash.; Baltimore, Md.; Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tenn.; Burbank, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Calif.; Atlanta, Ga.; Reno, Las Vegas, Nev.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Little Rock, Ark.; North Central, W.Va.; Albany, JFK, N.Y.; Greenville, West Columbia, Myrtle Beach, S.C. ; Anchorage, Alaska; Washington, D.C.; Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fla.; St. Louis, Kansas City, Mo.; Monroe, New Orleans, La.; Denver, Colo.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Vancouver, British Columbia and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Airlines: Airlines benefiting from the technology include workers at Air Canada, Alaska, Aloha, America West, American, American Eagle, Asiana, Atlantic Southeast, Airlines, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, British Airways, China, Continental, Continental Connection, Delta, Delta Connection, EVA, Frontier, Independence Air, Jet Blue, Korean, Mexican, Northwest, SAS, Southwest, Sun Country, United, United Express, USAirways, USAirways Express, West Jet.
About SATECH Inc.
SATECH is a technology and products company that specializes in the development and marketing of SmartCells® ergonomic solutions for performance enhancement and injury and fatigue prevention. SmartCells technology has broad application in the industrial workplace and health care markets. For more information, please call (360) 748-8711 or visit
www.satechinc.com
Related Links:
SATECH Home Page
www.satechinc.com
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
www.osha.gov
Journal of American Medical Association
www.jama.com
Ergoweb statistics on walking & standing workers
www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1269
The average person takes 18,000 steps per day. For workers in manufacturing, health care, and retail, that number is much higher. Studies have shown that up to half of the manufacturing and service industry workforce spends 4 or more hours a day walking or standing (OHCOW, 1999).
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics:
www.bls.gov
BLS Injuries & illnesses statistics in private industry
http://www.bls.gov/iif