Workplace Safety

Best Industrial Foor Mats for Safety & Slip Prevention

Are you misusing the floor mats in your manufacturing facility?

Slips and falls are among the most cited OSHA violations.

It’s no secret that an effective floor mat program is vital to safety in the workplace.

In this article, you’ll learn about a commonly misused floor mat in manufacturing.

We’ll also show you how a simple change in floor mat placement can greatly impact your safety program.

In fact, an EHS Manager that recently made this modification commented, “These suggestions on mats have helped keep our techs from tracking oil and grease through the building. Problem solved!”

Let’s get started.

The misconceptions of traditional walk mats

We’ve all seen walk mats in a place of business.  They are typically found in a lobby or entrance. They come in various colors and sizes, and they help protect floors from outside elements such as rain, snow, and dirt.

Here are some examples of walk mats appropriately used.

In an Office

In a Lobby

The right floor mat in the right location can make a HUGE difference in preventing slips and falls.

While the walk mat can be very effective in a lobby or office (as shown above), a common misconception is that they are also effective in a high soil manufacturing environment.

Here’s the problem.

First, walk mats have a nylon pile which is not ideal for a heavy soil environment such as your production floor.

Second, walk mats have a rubber cleat base designed for use on carpeting. When placed on a smooth surface like your production floor, those gaps can allow fluid from nearby machines to seep underneath and get slippery.

Third, walk mats were designed to collect snow, rain, and light dirt. They are not absorbent enough to handle oil and other industrial process fluids.

A better alternative on your manufacturing floor

If you have traditional nylon walk mats in your production walkways (especially near machines that may leak oil and other process fluids), replace them with more absorbent floor mats.

This will prevent pooling oil and tracking throughout your facility.

SlipBusters®, for example, have an absorbent cotton pile that is twice as absorbent as nylon walk mats.

SlipBusters® also have a thicker, oil-resistant rubber base with a flat surface that helps prevent oil from seeping under the mat.

These mats are industrial strength and designed for a manufacturing environment. In addition, the yellow striping enhances visibility and safety.

Botton Line: A simple switch to a more absorbent floor mat in key areas of your plant can create a safer environment for your employees.

Compare SlipBusters® and Walk Mats Side-by-Side

Summary

Both walk mats and SlipBusters® can be highly effective when used in the right environment and can ultimately save you thousands in floor protection and workers’ compensation claims. For more on floor mat selection and placement, check out our Complete Guide to Commercial Floor Mat Selection.

ITU AbsorbTech offers a complimentary facility assessment, including a walk-through of your facility and recommendations for a floor mat system that will support your safety initiatives.  Please contact us to get started.