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
- SorbIts® SlipBusters®
- Pile
- Absorbency
- Backing
- Hazard Awareness
- Application
- Best for
- SorbIts® SlipBusters®
- 60% Cotton, 40% Nylon
- 59oz
- Oil resistant rubber, 100% surface to surface contact.
- Yellow striping
- Manufacturing
- Oil, solvent, industrial process fluids
- Walk Mats
- 100% Nylon
- 27oz
- Rubber with cleats, creates a gap where fluid can seep in.
- None
- Office or showroom; cleat backing is best on carpet
- Snow, rain, light dirt
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.
Company News
- Tee Up Fore the Cure Raises $220,000 for T1D ResearchNovember 7, 2023
- Recognized by MMSD and ReWa for Water ConservationAugust 11, 2023
Google Rating
4.9
4.9
Hallman Lindsay Greenfield
20:59 30 Jan 20
We have used ITU Absorbtech at our location for years now. Skyler always does a great job. He is very professional and efficient.read more
Kim Hoffman
18:51 30 Jan 20
ITU has been Venango Steel's uniform and mat supplier for nine years. It has been a great partnership. The quality of the products meets or exceeds expectations. Jeff Miller is our representative and Chad Prather is our route driver. They go the extra step to keep the customer happy !
Thank you Jeff & Chad !read more
Randy Groth
14:48 30 Jan 20
Our rep is Branislov and our manager is Kieth both are very friendly and give us great service. We have had ITU for over 40 years. I like what they do for "coats for kids" by cleaning all the donated clothes. Also they are a very environmentally aware company.read more
john wyszkowski
15:50 29 Jan 20
CDM Tool has been using ITU for a long time. They have dedicated drivers. Bob our driver knows our company so well, he is able to tell based on our supply's that are used how business is going. He then adjusts so we don't overpay. The best part is that they don't create more work for me. We have never had an issue with lost uniforms.read more
Krystal Smith
15:16 24 Jan 20
L&S Insulation has been a customer for many years and Absorbtech has really reliable mats, always fresh and clean. Skyler has amazing customer service and is super friendly. :)read more
Jeff Foshey
00:40 05 Feb 19
Family owned company that truly takes care of their employees and customers as if they were family!!!
Jessica Wasmuth
19:54 23 Jan 18
Customer service is great! Dave and Bernie are amazing, very helpful and respond quickly. Staff is friendly and professional.read more
Dan Behmke
16:35 20 Dec 17
Bob Casey is my route driver, very nice guy, always takes care of everything. I have been with ITU for better than 20 years, I would never change. Merry Christmas Bob C.read more
Krystle Genz
17:12 15 Dec 17
Very easy to work with. Matt is a phenomenal salesman, great personality. Brian our service representative is always very courteous and pleasant to work with. A great change for our company and glad we are doing business with them.read more
Amy Kreckler
20:37 01 Dec 17
Our company has done business with ITU for 15+ years. They give good prices and good customer service. I would recommend them. Easy to deal with. (AFI Direct Service, Inc.)read more
Deborah Young
16:16 28 Nov 17
Bob Casey is our representative and has been for many years. Bob always has a smile and is very upbeat. It is a pleasure to have Bob as our rep!read more
My Account
17:05 22 Nov 17
Bob Casey is extremely helpful and always upbeat! He always has our companies best interests in mind, making suggestions to that end and is great at communication. I look forward to working with Bob for many more years!read more
Todd Birkel
16:15 22 Nov 17
Our Route Representative, Bob Casey, is very conscientious, courteous and extremely helpful. He continually looks for areas we can improve or adjust as our usage and needs evolve, and suggest products as appropriate.
Thank youread more