Industrial matting can be found in nearly every factory, warehouse, or similar facility in the world. Industrial mats serve a variety of purposes: they help maintain worker safety, increase worker comfort, help protect company property (by preventing damage to equipment and flooring), and they help with the interior design! Industrial mats come in all shapes, sizes, and types. If you are wondering what mats to purchase for your industrial facility, read on. This article will serve as your handy guide to industrial mats. It should be noted that all of the mats listed below can be purchased online. Many managers of industrial facilities find that online purchasing is the most effective and convenient way to get the mats that they need.
Heated Mats
Heated Mats are essential for the outdoor areas of your industrial facility (such as the shipping dock), especially if your facility is located in cold climates. Heated mats have a cable that hooks up to a power source, providing the mat with heat. This means that snow melts almost as soon as it hits the mat, and ice is unable to form on the mat’s surface. Heated mats are therefore very important for worker safety, especially when workers are carrying heavy items! Thin heated mats can be placed on stairs to prevent stairs from icing.
Anti-Slip Mats
These mats are also crucial for worker safety. Anti-slip mats are designed and manufactured to provide optimal traction for the worker, thus preventing slips and falls. Since industrial facilities are areas with hard floors and quickly moving workers, these mats are necessary. Anti-slip mats are made from a strong, stiff material that prevents the mat from bunching up and posing a tripping hazard. A good anti-slip mat, combined with slip-resistant shoes, can greatly reduce the risk of slip and fall injuries.
Non-Conductive Mats
Non-conductive mats are also produced with worker safety in mind. These mats should be placed near electrical equipment, as they prevent workers from getting shocked. Non-conductive mats are made from a PVC compound that provides insulation against electricity. When a worker stands on a non-conductive mat, he or she is no longer “grounded,” and thus electricity is no longer able to pass through the body. As an added bonus, non-conductive mats are often textured to provide extra traction, thus preventing slips and falls, which are especially dangerous near heavy electrical equipment.
Noise/Vibration Mats
Industrial facilities are noisy places. When walking through a factory where machinery is churning at full-speed, it is easy to think that you have wandered off into a heavy metal concert! If you are wondering how you can get some relief from the loudness – aside from plugging your ears – consider purchasing noise/vibration mats. These are thin mats that are placed under your heavy machinery, and they are designed to keep the machines from clanking around on the cement floor. These mats not only reduce noise, they also help protect the machines. As an added bonus, these mats are often resistant to mold, mildew, and solvents.
