Why Floor Mats?
Floor mats are a key component of a slip and fall prevention strategy. Slips and falls are a leading cause of accidents and injuries. Unsafe conditions and a general unawareness of potential risks are the two factors that usually contribute to slip and fall accidents. Mats can also be a potential hazard if they are not placed in the correct location or are not regularly maintained. With an effective slip and fall prevention strategy in place, accidents are easily preventable.
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Correct Mat Placement
Excess moisture, grease and dirt are three primary contributors to most slip and fall accidents. By identifying areas where these materials enter or gather, areas can be identified where matting should be placed.
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Identifying the Best Locations for Matting
- Building Entrances: 80% of dirt is tracked into a building from outside. The essential first line of defense is to have maximum coverage at the entrance to absorb contaminants. It’s also essential to determine the number of steps needed to trap contaminants so they don’t enter the building. A minimum of 3m of mat coverage should be provided to remove 90% of tracked soil or moisture.
- High-Risk Areas: High-risk areas are areas with a high probability of attracting dirt, moisture and grease. Placing mats in high-risk areas will prevent soil transfer from one area to the next.
- High-Traffic Areas: High-traffic areas are areas with the most foot traffic. Protecting these areas with mats will reduce wear and track patterns and will also enhance your organization’s image and reduce maintenance costs.
- Productivity Areas: By using the right type of matting such as anti-fatigue mats at workstations or customer service areas, you can improve worker comfort and increase productivity by reducing fatigue and improve employee morale. Anti-fatigue mats are designed for comfort anywhere someone may be standing for an extended period of time.
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Choosing the Correct Mat
The best mat to use is a mat with a high traction backing. Mats without this backing are more prone to movement or migration, which can contribute to slip and fall accidents. They can also buckle, ripple or curl, which can increase the risk of trip and fall accidents. Mats with a high traction backing provide the highest level of slip resistance. Mats located outside a building should either be a scraper or a wiper-scraper mat. The interior mat selection will be dictated by the exterior matting used. When a scraper mat is used outdoors, the entrance matting shall be a wiper-scraper or wiper only mat. These mats can either be loose laid or permanently installed in a recess or mat well.
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No One-Size -Fits-All Approach to Matting
A matting strategy will vary based on traffic, seasonal conditions and daily maintenance practices. Working with a matting service provider such as Kleen-Tex, helps take the guesswork out of developing and maintaining a matting program. We will advise you how to conduct an audit of a facility to identify potential risk areas, wear patterns and other conditions that will impact the placement of your mats.
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How can we help you make more of your floor?
Contact our Sales Team on 011 706 0917 / 086 162 8700 or info.za@kleen-tex.com for expert matting advice.