Health & Safety Mats Blog

When working with chemicals, grease and oils, it is important to be aware that the floor mats you use may be adversely affected if they come into contact with these substances. In this blog we give you some guidance on what to look out for when choosing mats for environments where chemicals could cause an issue.

What’s the issue?

Some bleaches, refrigerants, alcohols and acids can be particularly damaging to mats, which in turn can impact on the performance and safety of the mat. Fortunately for most chemicals used in industry today, there are mats built of materials designed to withstand them. Although chemical damage can affect any type of mat, the problem is usually confined to industrial mats, such as Anti Fatigue mats and Non Slip Safety mats, as these are the mats used in the locations where chemicals are used, such as in manufacturing processes for example.

Certain chemicals can react with the material used to make the mat, usually rubber or plastic, and can lead to curling, cracking, splitting or breakdown of the mat. Mats which curl, crack or split can become a trip hazard. Mats which breakdown may also become a trip hazard, but may also see a reduction in performance. An example of mat breakdown may be the rubber cushioning hardening or deteriorating, resulting in lowered anti fatigue properties.

Chemical resistance versus chemical proof

It is important to understand the difference between mats which are resistant to chemicals as opposed to chemical proof. No mats are fully chemical proof, but they may show no adverse effects to the chemicals used in your environment, which effectively makes them chemical proof for you.  If they are chemical resistant, then as long as they are cleaned properly, especially should a spillage occur, they are likely to perform well. However extended exposure or submersion in the chemical will likely cause damage to chemical resistant mats.

Which mats should I look for?

Companies who sell industrial mats should have all the information about the chemical compatibility of the mats they sell. Here at Health and Safety Mats we have an easy to understand Mat Chemical Compatibility Chart on our website here.

The mats we sell which have the best chemical resistance are constructed from Nitrile rubber. Mats constructed of general purpose rubber, SBR rubber, PVC or vinyl are especially susceptible to damage from certain chemicals. Bear in mind that although Nitrile rubber is extremely resistant, it is not fully chemical proof and certain chemicals will still have a severe effect. Chemical resistance assumes that mats are regularly cleaned and are not be submerged in the chemicals in question. We always recommend that you obtain a sample of the mats for your own testing if you have a particular concern.

What to do next?

We have a range of chemical resistant floor mats on our Health and Safety mats website. Go ahead and browse our selection and remember to have a look at our chemical compatibility chart. Call us on 0121 313 6747 with any questions that you can’t see answered on the site as we want to help ensure you get the right mats for your individual needs.

The loading and delivery bay in a warehouse is often one of the most hazardous areas in a building due to the movement of forklifts, delivery vans and lorries. If you factor in an out of control forklift, then the level of danger is substantially increased. Forklift safety is a large topic to cover in itself. In this blog we focus on how to prevent forklifts from skidding on wet floors.

The problems associated with forklifts skidding on wet floors:

When a forklift loses traction it may lead to a loss of control, which can cause a number of health and safety related issues. These issues include injury, or even death, as well as damage to the forklift and other objects, due to, but not limited to, the following:

1. Forklifts colliding with pedestrians.
2. Forklifts colliding with objects, which may also cause falling objects.
3. Toppling forklifts.
4. Forklifts falling from the edge of a loading bay.
5. Load spillages.

The likelihood of forklifts skidding on wet floors is increased in wet, icy, greasy or oily conditions. Weather associated problems aren’t only confined to the outside however. Very often forklifts are required to move in and out of the warehouse during the day, whereby they track dirt and water on the tyres of the forklifts, leading to wet floors wherever they operate inside of the warehouse.

Solutions to prevent forklifts skidding on wet floors:

All situations are unique to a business and a suitable risk assessment should be undertaken. Here we give some suggestions to identify and control the risk of forklifts skidding on wet floors:

1. Outside areas may be covered with a canopy to keep the areas dry.
2. Guard rails, bollards and barricades can be used to separate forklift traffic from pedestrian traffic.
3. Forklift mats can be used at warehouse entrances to remove and hold onto dirt and water from the wheels of the forklift.
4. Where feasible, vans and lorries should come as close to the warehouse doors as possible to reduce the need for forklifts to operate outside.
5. Items should be stored inside, to prevent forklifts having to bring them in from the outside.
6. A regular cleaning programme should be in place to keep the areas where forklifts operate dry and free from oil, grease and other debris.
7. Forklift drivers should be trained in the prevention of forklifts skidding on wet floors.

What to do next:

At Health and Safety Mats we are experienced at helping people overcome the issues they have with forklifts skidding on wet floors. Our Waterhog Forklift Mats are a tried and tested solution which you can view on our website.

For further advice, or if you would like us to visit your premises to assess your forklift issues, you can call us on 0121 313 6747 during normal UK office hours or contact us via the links found on the Health and Safety Mats website.

When purchasing mats for boats / marine vessels, you have specific requirements and are faced with a unique set of issues to overcome, which makes choosing the right mats that bit more difficult. Our blog identifies the key properties that you should look for in a mat when purchasing for boats and marine vessels.

1. Slip resistance:

The decks and surfaces of a boat are frequently wet and slippery, so choosing a mat with good anti-slip properties in all areas that may be walked upon, is key for on-board safety. Look for a mat with a surface that provides excellent traction underfoot.

2. Drainable:

With the likelihood of there being an increased amount of water than your average mat has to handle, mats for the external areas of boats and marine vessels need to have excellent drainage. This will allow the water to flow away and not sit on top of the mat which could result in a slip hazard. Look for mats with drainage holes and drainage channels on the reverse of the mat.

If the mat is to be placed internally, then you may need the mat to hold onto water rather than allow it to drain away and spill onto surrounding floors. If this is what you require, then choose a mat with good absorption or, even better, with a water dam that can hold onto even more water.

3. Supplied in rolls:

Walkways on vessels are often long and narrow. Small, individual mats may be more of a trip hazard than a benefit. Roll mats are especially suited to boats as they can cover long runs with a single mat.

4. Cut to size:

There are many nooks, crannies and fixtures on boats to fit mats around and areas are rarely of a regular size or shape. Mats can also be used in very compact areas, such as compartments and lockers for drainage and protection. The solution is to choose mats that can be cut to size without damaging the construction or performance of the mat.

5. Non-porous:

If water and other contaminants can penetrate the surface of the mat, this can lead to degradation and the formation of odours. Choose a non-porous mat unless the mat is to be used internally to remove moisture in which case ensure the mat is washable.

6. Flexible:

Not all walkways are straight and not all surfaces are flat. Mats for boats and marine vessels often need to contour to the irregularities found on-board and so it may be necessary to choose mats with a degree of flexibility.

What to do next?

We have several mats which are ideal for boats and marine vessels on our website www.healthandsafetymats.co.uk. Here are a few to consider:

Heronrib Wet Area Barefoot mats: Ideal for wet areas that require comfort when walking on with bare-feet and for use in compartments or lockers. They are anti-microbial, non-porous, drainable, non-slip, flexible and can be cut to size.

Vynagrip Non Slip Roll Mats: Excellent traction and very hard wearing. They are non-porous, drainable, non-slip and can be cut to size.

Comfort Flow: All rubber mat is very comfortable under foot and gives excellent traction and drainage. They are non-porous, anti-micorbial, flexible and non-slip.

Waterhog Classic: Ideal for internal use to take water and mud off footwear. Feature a water dam that can hold 6.5 litres of water per square metre to prevent it from spilling onto surrounding floors.

If you would like further help choosing mats for boats and marine vessels, please contact us via the website or call our friendly advisors on 0121 313 6747.

Mat wells and recesses are an excellent choice for a safer entrance due to the fact they allow the mat to lie level with the surrounding floor. This eliminates the trip hazard that can be associated with loose lay matting. However, one of the problems associated with having a mat well / recess is that you need to purchase a mat to fit the exact shape, size and depth of the well / recess or at least purchase an oversize mat and cut it down to fit. This drastically reduces the choice of mat you have and makes choosing the right one much more difficult. This blog will help you choose correctly and gives you 4 of the best mats for mat wells and recesses.

Coir matting for mat wells and recesses

Coir, also known as coconut matting, is used extensively in both commercial and domestic mat wells and recesses. No wonder really when you consider it is readily available in many sizes and depths, is easy to cut to fit and is generally a lot cheaper than most other options. For all these reasons, coir was traditionally one of the best mats for mat wells and recesses.

Coir does come with some health and safety issues which means the popularity of coir is now fading, particularly in commercial applications. Coir falls foul of the DDA Disability Discrimination Act because it is difficult for wheelchairs and wheeled traffic to manoeuvre on, which could be a problem in the event of a fire. It is also less durable and more difficult to clean than the other options we feature here, so will need replacing far more often, which negates the cheaper price you pay for it in the first place.

Logo mats for mat wells and recesses

Businesses have realised the opportunity of using their floor space, including their mats, for branding purposes and to make their entrance more welcoming to visitors. Nothing does this better than a logo mat printed with the company logo or a welcome message. Most good matting companies can make logo mats to any size required to fit the mat well. It is often best to order a slightly larger size than you require and trim to fit, which will ensure a good fit when it comes to installation.

Mat tiles for mat wells and recesses

Tiles are one of the best mats for mat wells and recesses because you simply order the quantity you need to cover the area you require and then cut the tiles to fit as needed. They are especially suited if you have a large mat well / recess or one that is of an unusual shape. Damaged tiles can be replaced with fresh tiles and attractive patterns can be formed by varying the colour of tiles.

Tiles are one of the most popular choices for heavy foot fall entrances found in large commercial environments such as in retail, public buildings and airports for example.

Grid tiles for mat wells and recesses

Like mat tiles above, but without the carpeted top which means that grid tiles do not have the drying properties of carpeted tiles. Instead they are best used for scraping mud and dirt off footwear. This makes them one of the best mats for mat wells and recesses for external applications and outside entrances. They tend to be made from rubber or PVC and are usually very durable. They have all the benefits of tiles, in that they can be cut to fit and replaced with ease.

Still need help choosing?

Whilst well mats and recess mats are an ideal choice to make your entrance safer, if you choose wrongly they can actually create a health and safety problem. If you would like advice on the best mats for wells and recesses, then we’re here to help you choose correctly. Simply contact us through the health and safety mats website or call 0121 313 6747. Alternatively view our selection of mats for wells and recesses on our website here.

 

We use entrance matting for several reasons, be it for aesthetics, reducing cleaning costs, or to help improve health and safety and prevent slips, trips, and falls. In extreme weather conditions, we need to ensure the performance of entrance matting is not compromised, so that it can still do the job that is intended – we therefore need to consider the weather resistance of our matting, in all types of conditions.

Temperature

Throughout the year, we can experience extreme temperatures, whether that’s extremely cold temperatures below freezing, or very hot temperatures.

In extreme temperatures, certain types of matting, such as those made from materials such as PVC or vinyl, are liable to crack, split or curl. Mats that crack or split, or curl at the edges could cause a trip hazard, which compromises the levels of health and safety at your premises.

For matting that is going to be placed outside, and subject to any extreme weather conditions, a mat constructed of a tough material, such as rubber is recommended. Rubber is a material that is built to cope with extreme temperatures, making it an ideal material for constructing outdoor entrance matting.

Rain, snow, and mud

The main reason for using entrance matting, is to prevent things like rain, snow and mud from being tracked into and around the building, making your floors dirty and also causing a slip hazard. For this reason, your entrance mats obviously need to be able to remove and hold onto a certain amount of rain, mud and snow.

If the mat is being placed outside, it is a good idea to use matting with holes. This will allow any water and dirt to fall through the holes, away from the standing surface, to avoid it being tracked into the building.

If the mat is being placed inside, a bi-level mat is ideal. With bi-level matting, the top layer will scrape and wipe dirt and water from footwear, and then it will be stored in the bottom layer to avoid it being tracked around the building.

You also need to consider that the mat needs to be able to dry quickly on very wet days, to avoid the mat becoming saturated with water and ineffective at containing the water. In high foot fall areas it’s best to avoid using cotton faced matting as this can take a long time to dry. Quick drying fabrics include nylon and PET faced mats.

UV

Whilst UV rays will not influence the safety aspects of the matting, they can harm the appearance by causing colours to fade. If your matting is going to be placed in direct sunlight, check that the mat face is UV resistant to prevent fading and to keep your mat looking in good condition for longer.

Wind

On a very windy day, you need to ensure that your matting is heavy enough so that it does not lift or that the corners don’t curl up, which could cause a trip hazard.

Summary

So, there’s lots of things to consider when it comes to the weather and keeping your entrances safe and free from slips, trips and falls. A good quality, heavy duty entrance matting system can help you solve and problems that the weather may throw at you.

1. A rubber outdoor entrance mat that scrapes footwear, and has holes for water and dirt to through.
2. A bi-level barrier mat that will hold on to water and dirt brought in on footwear.
3. A fast-drying finishing mat to removes any excess water.

So, there you have it, the ultimate guide in how to ensure that increment weather does not compromise the performance of your entrance matting.

What should you do next?

If you are concerned that your current entrance matting is not going to cut it in the weather conditions discussed above, look at the Entrance Matting section of our website, where you’ll find a range of heavy duty entrance matting, designed to perform in all weathers.

If you have any further questions, or would just like a bit of guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0121 313 6747 or email sales@healthandsafetymats.co.uk

Wet floor signs will be out in abundance during the winter months, especially on wet and rainy days.  Wet floor signs are designed to provide a warning about a wet floor, but we must ask ourselves, is that really the case anymore? We have become so used to seeing wet floor signs wherever we go, even when the floor isn’t wet, that do we even notice them anymore?

We want to help you prevent your floors from becoming wet in the first place, which will help to prevent slip and fall accidents, as well as reduce the number of wet floor signs! Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Here is our guide to help you reduce wet floors and wet floor signs in your building:

Identify areas susceptible to spillages

Walk around your building and carry out a wet floor risk assessment. Are there any areas that could be particularly prone to wet floors? Somewhere where a wet floor sign is usually present? Usually areas such as kitchen, toilets, or near a vending machine are prone to spillages or wet floors.

In these areas, preventative measures to prevent the floor from getting wet in the first place should be used.

This could include the following;

1. Training the workforce on what they should do if they notice a spillage or wet floor
2. Use anti-slip safety flooring in areas such as kitchens and toilets
3. Using non-slip matting in areas prone to drips and spillages

Don’t just put a wet floor sign down and walk away, that doesn’t solve the problem!

A Cleaning & Maintenance Program

To ensure that your premises is clean, safe and tidy at all times, it is a good idea to have a regular cleaning and maintenance program in place to help to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Areas that are more likely to become clean and untidy quickly should be checked more regularly, especially if a wet floor is highly probable – like the toilets for example.

Entrance Matting that works!

A key factor that can cause wet floors, is water and dirt being brought in from outside on footwear. Without entrance matting in place, this water and dirt can be tracked further into the building, causing wet and slippery floors in areas where sometimes you would least expect them.

If you already have entrance matting in place, but are still having to use wet floor signs in your entrances, then it’s time to invest in some better entrance mats!

Here are the things and entrance mat should do, to prevent wet floors, and in turn prevent slip and fall accidents:

1. Stop dirt and water at the door
2. Store soil and water for later removal
3. Minimise the tracking of soil and water
4. Providing a safe surface to walk on

   

   Remove wet floor signs when no longer necessary 

   One of the easiest ways of reducing the number of wet floor signs in your building, is to remove them once the floor is dry. One of the main reasons we have become so used to seeing wet floor signs when we are out and about, is because more often than not, they are still there when the floor is dry. The more they are left around when the floor is dry, the less likely people are going to see them as a warning sign, and they will just get ignored.

How can we help you?

Here as Health and Safety Mats, we are all about helping you improve the safety of your premises. For this reason, we have a range of matting that can help to stop water and dirt, which can in turn reduce the number of wet floor signs in your building, as well as prevent slips and falls.  Take a look at our excellent range of entrance mats as well as non-slip safety mats on our website.

If you are unsure which mats you need, or have a problem area that you would like to discuss with someone, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are available Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm on 0121 313 6747, or you can email us at sales@healthandsafetymats.co.uk. We are more than happy to give you any help and advice that you need.

Employers have the responsibility for both their visitors and staff alike when it comes to workplace safety. One of the mains areas of risk is slips and trips. In the event of an accident, if you do not have a risk assessment in place, you may end up facing legal action with the potential to have a big financial impact on your business.

The impact of slips and trips on UK businesses

Slips and trips bring substantial costs to businesses in the UK. The HSE, the government body with the task of reducing workplace injury and death, estimates the cost to be in excess of £500 million per year. This does not include the incalculable costs of human impact and suffering to those involved. (Source: HSE)

Almost 11,000 workers were seriously injured following a slip or trip accident in 2007 – that’s 40% of all major injuries reported in the UK workplace. 90% of the time the accident led to broken bones, which means lengthy recovery periods spent away from work, impacting upon workplace productivity. (Source: HSE)

Ways to prevent slips and falls

Preventative methods are very dependent on the type of work being carried out and the environment the work takes place, but some common ways to reduce the risks of slips and trips are outlined below:

• Ensure flooring is non-slip and well maintained

In high risk areas, safety flooring is often a good solution. Use floor matting at entrances and by work stations to remove and hold onto dirt and water. Repair damaged and uneven flooring.

• Wear appropriate footwear

Use footwear with good grips and non-slip soles in high-risk areas. Flip-flops and sandals are examples of footwear that can lead to trips and are usually inappropriate in the workplace.

• Have the correct cleaning regime in place

This is dependent on the type of floor, when the floor is used, how and by whom. Cleaning should be regular and spillages must be acted upon immediately.

• Remove unnecessary obstacles

Have a walk around your building, inside and out. Identify and remove anything which doesn’t need to be there and may pose a slip or trip risk. If the object is immovable, then highlight it to ensure people can avoid the hazard.

• Maintain and use the appropriate equipment

Faulty machines may develop leaks which can spill onto floors. Worktops can have lips to contain spillages. Suitable drainage may be required in areas which become frequently wet.

• Make employees responsible for their own environment

Educate your employees as to the risks of slips and trips and the common causes. Highlight the importance of maintaining their work area for their own and others safety.

Don’t wait until something happens

It’s time to act. Firstly, conduct a risk assessment for your business, identifying high risk locations and hazards in your workplace and those people at risk. Document your findings and ensure you are doing enough to prevent harm. Put a plan of action into place to correct any issues you identify, prioritising issues which are most likely to cause harm.

Risk mapping, assessment tools and further guidance can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk.

Remember that risk assessments should be done on a regular basis, because things change over time or are dependent on the time they are conducted. For example, in the winter, floors are more likely to become slippery through rain or ice.

Once you have a risk assessment in place, organise a meeting with your staff to educate them on the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace, which includes guidance on preventing slips and trips. This will help teach them what they can do to improve it for themselves and others.  Ask them to report any accidents or near misses they come across, so that these can be acted on as necessary.

Find solutions

At Health and Safety Mats we have many solutions which can help you stop slips in the workplace, by improving your floor safety. See our mats designed to stop slips and trips on our website or contact us on 0121 313 6747 and we will be happy to help you overcome the issues you’re faced with.