When Floor Mats Become a Safety Issue

Commercial floor mats have many uses depending on the type you use and where they’re located. The anti-fatigue floor mats for example, are designed to reduce the impact of standing all day and logo mats are a great way to advertise and increase brand awareness. The one thing that all commercial floor mats have in common is helping to create a safer environment for your workers and your customers. However, there are times when floor mats become the safety issue you need to fix.

Are Your Floor Mats an Accident Waiting to Happen?

Look around at the floor mats in your facility. Are there any mats with the ends curled up? How many times have you tripped over a floor mat because the corner was not lying flat on the floor? Do you have any mats that shift or slide around when stepped on? This is a sign that the non-skid backing is worn or damaged and it could easily cause someone to fall.

If the texture of the mat is flat and cleaning does not bring it back up again, it won’t be as absorbent or pick up the debris as well as it once did, which means it’s no longer doing the job it was meant to do. Do you see any matting with the rubber edging chipped or torn? This is another big safety issue that can cause someone to trip and fall.

If you find any of these problems with the floor mats in your facility, then you’re helping to create an environment where accidents are just waiting to happen, instead of preventing them.

How to Prevent Floor Mats from Becoming a Safety Issue

The first step is to purchase quality mats. Poor quality mats are not going to have the lifespan you need and they will begin to show signs of wear and tear way to soon. To get more use out of your purchase you may be tempted to continue using them even when they become old and worn. Good quality mats may cost a little more up front but they’re worth it because with proper care, they will last for many years.

Regular maintenance is the second step in keeping your floor mats looking like new. Vacuum the mats once or twice daily depending on how much traffic your business receives. Use a water hose and mild detergent to clean the mats when they become soiled and be very careful using pressure washers on vinyl mats because it can cause damage.

The third step is to replace your commercial floor mats when they become old and worn. If you continue using mats that are not in good condition, you’re creating an unsafe environment and that gives visitors a bad impression of your company.  The physical appearance of your facility really does matter to customers.

Don’t wait for an accident to happen, inspect your floor mats now to see if they need replaced. Investing in new commercial matting can make your facility safer for your visitors and employees while helping to create a good, positive image for your company.

FloorMatSystem.com has a wide selection of quality mats to choose from and our trained staff can even help you choose the best type of matting to suit your needs the best.