In brief
Standing in the same spot all day strains blood circulation in the legs and is associated with varicose veins and leg swelling, back pain and pain in the soles of the feet. The solution is not a single mat but a series of measures: making the job possible to do seated or with alternating sitting and standing, adjusting the working height, providing anti-fatigue mats and suitable footwear, planning rotation and breaks, and monitoring complaints through health surveillance.
Why is standing at work a risk?
Workers in the pressing section of a garment workshop, at a loom in a weaving hall or on a quality control line spend most of their shift on their feet. Walking while working is not a problem for the body; the problem is standing in the same spot, motionless, for long periods.
When standing, the return of blood from the legs to the heart depends on the pumping action of the calf muscles, which work when we walk. When a person stands still, this pump slows down; blood pools in the legs and pressure in the veins rises. At the same time, the back muscles stay constantly contracted to hold the posture, while the soles of the feet carry the body's weight on a hard floor for hours. For the health of standing workers, the consequences are:
- Varicose veins and venous insufficiency: swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, and dilated veins that become visible over time.
- Back pain: muscle fatigue from holding the same posture for long periods.
- Foot and heel pain: the load on the soles of the feet from standing for hours on a hard floor.
- Knee and hip pain, general fatigue: fatigue that builds towards the end of the shift reduces attention and increases the risk of accidents.
The question "does standing at work cause varicose veins?" cannot be answered with a single cause; age, heredity, pregnancy and weight also play a part. But it is known that standing still for long periods strains circulation in the legs and worsens existing problems. That is why standing work should be treated as a separate heading in the risk assessment.
What does the legislation say?
Turkish legislation sets no numerical limit on "standing time". However, a few provisions touch on the subject directly:
In other words, the legislation does not set a time limit, but it requires the employer to adapt the work to the individual and to manage the effects of standing work through the risk assessment.
Job design first: alternating sitting and standing
The order of measures follows the hierarchy of controls: first the work itself is changed, and personal measures come last.
- Can the job be done seated? Many tasks such as quality control, labelling and small-parts assembly can be done seated with a table and chair at the right height. List the jobs that are done standing simply out of habit.
- Alternating sitting and standing: if part of the job has to be done standing, provide a high stool or sit-stand support so the worker can sit when needed. The aim is not to never sit or never stand all day, but to be able to change posture.
- Working height: if the bench is too low, the worker bends forward; if it is too high, they raise their shoulders. The general ergonomic recommendation is a work surface at or slightly below elbow height for light manual work, somewhat higher for precision work requiring close viewing, and lower for work requiring force. If workers of different heights use the same bench, use an adjustable bench or a step platform.
- Footrest: a footrest rail or low step under the bench lets the worker shift their weight between the two legs and reduces the load on the back.
- Rotation and breaks: standing tasks are planned in rotation with tasks done seated or while walking. Short, frequent breaks are more effective than infrequent, long ones.
Anti-fatigue mats and footwear
The difference between standing for hours on hard concrete and standing on a flexible surface is felt in the worker's feet at the end of the shift. An anti-fatigue mat is a simple and effective measure for fixed standing workstations; but if chosen wrongly, it creates a new risk.
| Selection criterion | What to look for | Consequence of the wrong choice |
|---|---|---|
| Edge design | Bevelled edges that stay flat on the floor | A curled edge causes trips and falls |
| Thickness and flexibility | Enough give to avoid tiring the feet; not too soft | A mat that is too soft upsets balance and increases fatigue |
| Environment | Perforated, draining type in wet or oily areas | Water and oil collect on the surface, increasing the risk of slipping |
| Size | Should cover the whole area the worker moves in | Constant stepping on and off between mat and floor |
| Cleaning and durability | Cleanable material suited to chemicals and heat | A dirty, torn mat becomes a slip and trip point |
Footwear complements the mat. For standing workers, choose flat-soled, closed shoes that support the heel and arch, have cushioned soles and do not pinch. If safety footwear is mandatory at the workplace, the protection class and comfort are assessed together; for the S1–S3 classes and selection criteria, see our article on safety footwear classes. Slippers, flat-soled trainers or worn-out soles increase foot pain over long shifts.
Standing work in textiles: examples from Bursa
In textile businesses in Bursa and the surrounding provinces, standing work is concentrated at a few typical points:
- Ironing and pressing: the worker stands in the same spot at a hot surface for long periods. Mats, adjustment of ironing table height and rotation of tasks are planned together.
- Quality control and packing: these are often jobs that could be done seated; if doing them standing is a habit, the table and chair arrangement is changed.
- Cutting room: work is done standing and bending forward at the spreading and cutting table; table height and the break schedule become important.
- Weaving hall: work involves walking between looms; here the problem is not immobility but the hard floor and footwear.
For other risks specific to garment and weaving businesses, see our article on OHS in garment workshops and our textiles sector page. For other areas where people work standing, such as shops and checkouts, see our article on OHS in supermarkets and shops; for screen workers, see office ergonomics.
Standing work in health surveillance
At the pre-employment examination, it is important to tell the physician that the candidate will be working standing; varicose vein, back and foot complaints are assessed with this information in mind. At periodic examinations, complaints of leg swelling, varicose veins and back pain are monitored; there is no fixed list in the legislation of which tests are required, and the workplace physician decides according to the risk and the individual. For examination frequency and tests, see our article on periodic examinations and tests.
The physician may make individual recommendations for a worker with complaints, such as a change of task, the option to sit or compression stockings. These recommendations are specific to the individual and are not applied without the physician's assessment. If repeated complaints come from the same department, the problem lies not with the person but with how the work is organised, and the risk assessment is reviewed.
You can see the required hours for the workplace physician and OHS specialist for your number of workers and hazard class with our OHS obligation calculator. We identify standing workstations, plan measures and follow up implementation through our risk assessment service, and monitor complaints at examinations through our workplace physician service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a legal time limit for standing work?
No, the legislation sets no numerical limit. However, Law No. 6331 requires work to be adapted to the individual and the adverse effects of monotonous work to be prevented; standing work is addressed in the risk assessment and measures are planned accordingly.
Is an anti-fatigue mat suitable for every floor?
No. Perforated, draining mats are chosen for wet and oily areas; the edges must be bevelled and must not curl. A wrongly chosen mat increases the risk of trips and slips.
Is it mandatory to give a chair to a worker who works standing?
There is no general provision in the legislation requiring a chair for every standing worker. However, if the job can be done seated or with alternating positions, providing the option to sit is a priority measure in the risk assessment. Workplaces with 10 or more workers must also have a suitable rest area.
Can a pregnant worker work standing for long periods?
A pregnant worker's working conditions are assessed with the workplace physician; prolonged standing is part of this assessment. If necessary, working conditions are changed and suitable facilities are provided for pregnant and breastfeeding women to lie down and rest.
A risk assessment that identifies and scores hazards on site, links each measure to an owner and a date, and has a clear renewal schedule.
Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.