Every facility, no matter the weather, should have a matting program. When planning a mat program, high-traffic areas should be pinpointed and consideration should be given to environmental exposure. Strategic placement of mats is essential for maximum effectiveness.
Entrance matting can improve air quality, protect floors and carpets, prevent slips and falls, and save you money and time. Each mat is designed to stop dirt and moisture by performing a specific job to keep your facility clean. A scraper mat that has aggressive scraping action should be placed outside the entrance to remove heavy soil. A wiper/scraper mat combining scraper bristles with softer, more absorbent wiping fibers should be placed inside the entrance to begin to dry the shoe. Lastly, a wiper mat to absorb moisture from shoes and reduce slips and falls should be placed further into the entrance. These three different mats should total 30 linear feet of matting in order to remove nearly 100% of incoming dirt and moisture.
Nearly 70-80% of the dirt, grime and dust in your facility comes in through entrance doors damaging your floors and carpets. One square yard of carpet can accumulate one pound of dirt in a week, and twice that in inclement weather. It is estimated that the cost to remove a single pound of dirt from a facility is in excess of $750. Approximately 42% of a floor’s finish can be removed within the first six feet of an entrance after only 1,500 people have entered.
You can capture, hold and hide incoming dirt with an effective entrance matting program. Your floors and carpets will look better and be protected from damage due to tracked-in soil and other debris. Maintenance time, labor costs, and slips and falls can be reduced and your facility will be cleaner with an enhanced appearance.
It is reported that 83% of industrial workers suffer from foot, leg and back pain at one time or another. Anti-fatigue matting has been proven to actually change the chemistry of the lower body, reducing lactic acid buildup by keeping muscles active. This translates into less strain and pain, better employee morale and attendance, and lower workers’ compensation claims.
Slips and falls are the #1 cause of injury in almost every setting. Slip-resistant surfaces, bright colors, beveled edges and static dissipation improve safety, saving you money and trouble. Mat Placement GuideWAXIE stocks a large variety of different styles and colors of mats including WAXIE-Green Eco-Mats. A WAXIE Sanitary Maintenance Consultant can help you put together a matting system. Contact us today (800) 995-4466.