industrial floor mats | Spill Containment Blog

3 Ways to Make Your Work-Area Floors Safer

March 19, 2024 by Travis Zdrazil

Explore the Benefits of Work Standing and Floor Area Mats for Your Facility

From enhanced grip to standing comfort, industrial floor mats offer many benefits in commercial kitchens and beyond

What is a key industrial tool for improving worker safety and increasing productivity? The answer might be right under your feet.

The humble industrial mat is used in a variety of facilities, from factory floors to hospitals. Some mats make surfaces safer by increasing traction and absorbing spilled liquids or melted snow and ice. Others can make floors more comfortable to stand on — an important ergonomic tool for workers who are on their feet for extended periods of time. There are many types of mats for a variety of applications: One mat does not fit all.

Which type of mat could benefit your facility? That depends on what you need the mat to do. Here we explore three effective ways to improve work floor safety.

1. Use absorbent floor mats in spill hazard zones

Place absorbent floor mats to reduce risks in high-traffic areas where water, solvent, coolant, or oil spillages are likely to occur. In spill-prone locations, absorbent mats—like the Rag Rug Industrial Absorbent Floor Mat—can provide extra traction to make your floors safer. These economical rugs have high tensile strength and are made of recycled materials. Whereas their dark gray color successfully hides unsightly grime. They also aid compliance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.22‘s requirement to keep walking and working surfaces in a clean, safe condition.

2. Enhance ergonomics with anti-fatigue mats

Employees who spend their days on their feet—in kitchens, hospitals, retail, or industrial sites—may experience discomfort or even pain during long periods of standing. According to OSHA’s ergonomics guides, anti-fatigue mats help increase comfort and promote employee wellness in comparison with bare floors. Comfort mats are also National Floor Safety Institute approved and are proven to have higher non-slip quality compared to sponge mats. Workers using anti-fatigue mats enjoy decreased spinal compression, increased circulation, and reduced exposure to prolonged heat, cold, or vibration.

3. Improve floor traction with specialized mats

Slip, trip, and fall risks are high in the workplace; especially in areas where floors tend to get slick or during inclement weather when workers track in moisture from outside. Oil-drip floor mats can increase floor traction to prevent workplace injury, but also serve a variety of other purposes. The Abzorb Oil Mat is commonly used under vehicles or facility machinery to collect oil drips. While homeowners often use them in their garage to prevent concrete stains, or, even as a pet mat under Fido’s food and water bowls.

Your Partner for Floor Safety Solutions

Investing in industrial mats is an easy, economical solution for improving your facility’s overall safety and enhancing your workers’ health and well-being. So if you don’t already have any of these three mats in your facility, it’s time to see how something so simple can make such a big difference.

AbsorbentsOnline is here to help you create a safe and productive work environment. Feel free to contact us by email or call toll free at (800) 869-9633.

This is a revision to a blog post with an original publication date of February 11, 2015.

Choosing The Right Absorbent Mat

November 19, 2019 by Travis Zdrazil

Why absorbent floor matting is a smart business decision

Industrial absorbent mat rolls help keep your walkways safe

Purchasing absorbent mats for your business is a smart investment that will pay off in the form of a cleaner, safer workplace. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, spills are bound to happen.

If your business uses oils, coolants or solvents, then laying out absorbent mats in appropriate locations will help keep your workplace safe in the event of a spill. In fact, they can also help your facility comply with OSHA requirements for keeping floors in a clean and dry condition.

Hard-wearing industrial mats work in many flooring situations. Just a few examples include building entrances or walkways. As runners in office environments, they help protect carpet in high foot traffic areas. To keep storage spaces dry, place them alongside pallets or shelving. They are also ideal around machinery and equipment, or underneath vehicles.

But with so many different types of mats available, how do you know which one to choose? As a starting point, here’s some information about the differences between absorbent floor mat options to help you decide.

Absorbent mats vs. absorbent pads or rolls

Single-use absorbent pads and rolls often come in easy access dispenser boxes

Similar names, but there are big differences between absorbent mat pad/rolls and absorbent mats for floors. As a basic explanation, think of temporary or disposable versus semi-permanent applications. Pads and rolls are typically thrown away after one use, just like absorbent pillows and absorbent socks.

Meant for quick response, the purpose of pads and rolls is cleaning up spills. These products are usually light to medium weight and offer fast wicking absorbency. They often come in bulk dispenser boxes and have different colors to indicate their purpose. Gray color universal pads are for all liquids, yellow is hazmat/chemical absorbent, and white is oil spills.

Both types of absorbent products have their uses in the workplace. But for the following, we’ll explore heavy-duty mats for semi-permanent flooring applications. That is to say, not meant for one-time use such as cleaning up, or, spill control.

What type of chemicals will your floor mats come into contact with?

This heavy duty camouflage mat absorbs spills and disguises floor dirt

Oils can be very slippery on concrete floors which is dangerous for truck wheels and general safety. Battery acid leaks are another common workplace hazard that can permanently damage floor surfaces and require expensive repairs. Even shelving or storage areas that house machinery, chemicals, liquid cleaning products or other fluids pose potential leak risks. In all these scenarios, absorbent matting can easily address and protect your facility from stains, slips and more.

If you haven’t done so already, you should identify the type of chemicals used in your workplace. Using this information, you’ll be able to choose a mat that’s tailored towards your unique site needs.

For instance, some companies may use oil absorbent mats. Others will prefer universal floor mats capable of absorbing oil, coolants, solvents and even water. The versatile survivor camouflage mat is a popular option that offers universal absorbency. It not only keeps floors dry, but disguises floor grime too.

Identifying which chemicals are present at your location means you can choose a mat accordingly.

Opt for heavy-weight mat materials

Heavy weight rug rag absorbent roll mats are ideal for high traffic and industrial work areas

Another key area for selecting the right absorbent floor mat is its construction material. Cheap, low-grade materials will result in faster wear and tear, forcing you to shell out more money to replace them. On the other hand, absorbent mats built with professional-grade materials will offer you many years of use.

The Industrial Rug Rag Mat‘s construction features recycled polypropylene along with acrylic materials. Both create an exceptionally strong and durable combination that’s perfect for high-traffic work areas. This mat is also considered “universal,” meaning it’s able to absorb oil, coolants, solvents and water.

Investing in a high quality mat for your site helps minimize the worries of potential slip hazards, as well as floor surface damage. Look closely at product information and specifications. Ideally, choose floor mats with non-penetrable backing and non-skid properties.

The bottom line is that you need to choose an absorbent mat made with materials capable of both withstanding foot traffic and absorbing chemical spills.

Consider your matting location

Matting absorbs oil and protects floors while the gray color hides dirt

Determine where you plan on using your new absorbent mat before making a purchase. Will you place mats inside, on factory floors, with exposure to foot and vehicle traffic? Or, do you require a weatherproof mat you can use for outside applications? These may seem like basic questions, but will help insure you pick the right product for the right place.

For outdoor environments, ground protection matting can help prevent damage or contamination to soil and grass. Because they are both washable and re-usable, ground mats make a convenient and cost effective solution for a variety of industries, from construction to event planners and caterers.

Railroad track mats are another specialty oil absorbent mat option for outdoor use around or below rail cars. An absorbent surface and non-penetrable backing means you can confidently use both of these outdoor mat products against ground polluting leaks.

It’s not uncommon for factories and industrial businesses to place mats underneath vehicles or machines to protect against hydraulic fluids, oils and battery acids. For this particular instance, forklift mats are the ideal choice to maximize your level of protection. Much like the previously mentioned Industrial Rug Rag, forklift mats also use polypropylene for its superior oil absorbent and protection capabilities.

In addition, the Forklift mat features a non-skid bottom, allowing for a stronger grip to the floor. Vehicle operators can safely drive over the mat without worrying about it shifting around.

Find more mat product details at AbsorbentsOnline.com

We’ve got you covered when it comes to workplace floor safety, and more!

When it comes to mats for your workplace floors, you can be sure you’ll find a great selection and a great price at AbsorbentsOnline.com. While you’re there, why not take a look at our other useful workplace spill containment and clean up response products. From shop rag or towel wipers, to spill berms, spill kits and more – we’ve got you covered! And don’t forget about other floor safety and comfort products, like stair treads and anti-fatigue mats.

This is a revision to a post with an original publish date of September 16, 2013.

Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

April 11, 2017 by Travis Zdrazil

A slip and fall picture.

Slips, trips, and falls may seem like easy accidents for alert workers to avoid, but statistics tell a different story: The majority of all work accidents are due to slips, trips, and falls — and they’re responsible for 15% of all accidental deaths. The only more dangerous causes of death in workplaces than trip hazards are motor vehicle accidents!

That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has produced slip, trip, and fall regulations for nearly fifty years. But, until very recently, those regulations were badly in need of updates.

The Walking-Working Surfaces Rule

As of January 2017, OSHA finally put updates that had been in the works since 1990 into place. The resulting Walking-Working Surfaces Rule fills in some gaping holes in safety regulations.

Under the old standards, OSHA only required regular inspection of ladders and scaffolds. Under the new rule, employers need to inspect every surface upon which personnel walk or work regularly and as necessary for slip, trip, and fall hazards. These surfaces include aisles and walkways, stairs, platforms, ramps, and more.

Those at each facility get to define what “regularly” and “as necessary” mean for their specific workplaces. To learn more about the new Walking-Working Surfaces Rule, visit the OSHA website.

Protect your personnel from slips, trips, and falls

You can prevent slip, trip, and fall accidents in your workplace by using safety products designed for these very purposes.

Stairs are a common place for falls, particularly outdoors. You can use safety stair treads to prevent these accidents. Non-slip tapes are affordable and easy to install, and aluminum or fiberglass treads offer more durable solutions.

forklift on absorbent mat.

If you use equipment prone to oil or fluid leaks in your facility, absorbent industrial mats make for great ways to head off slips and falls. Another great solution for equipment that drips or leaks is drip pans. These contain fluids and are easy to empty and reuse, making them cost-effective for long-term use.

Do employees stand in one place while performing their jobs? Anti-fatigue mats are not only ergonomic to protect employees’ bodies from the exhaustion of long periods of standing but are also non-slip.

Slips, trips, and falls are impossible to fully avoid, but with the right equipment and regular inspections, you can reduce their frequency and do your best to protect both your employees and your business from the consequences.

Have questions about which absorbents are right for your needs? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Prevent Injury and Damage: Use the Right Products

September 20, 2016 by Travis Zdrazil

Six industrial safety products to help protect your employees and facility

warehouse chemical containers The only thing more important than your equipment safety is the safety of your employees. Which is why you need the right industrial safety products on hand. In short, to keep both your equipment and employees safe under all possible circumstances. And help ensure you comply with OSHA requirements.

At AbsorbentsOnline, we carry a wide range of industrial safety products. In other words, everything you need to protect your staff members and the equipment they use every day.

Here are a few items you might consider, based on your workplace and activities:

1. Column Protectors

column protectors for industrial safety Many facilities paint their columns the same color as the walls. Which makes columns difficult to see. Particularly when operating vehicles like forklifts, tow motor lifts, or carts. A collision with a column can cause damage to your facility and your equipment — not to mention your employees!

Which is why our Column Protectors are available in a number of bright colors for high visibility. They’re made of 100% high-density polyethylene and can absorb an impact up to 8,500 pounds traveling at up to 7 miles per hour. They come in five different sizes and can fit both round and square supports. They’re easy to install and even contain UV-protectants. Meaning their highly visible colors won’t fade after long periods of outdoor use.

2. Corner Protectors

building corner protectors Similarly, you can protect high-traffic areas in your facility with Corner Protectors. Overhead door frames and the corners around loading docks can take a lot of damage from trucks backing in and unloading. Corner protectors will not just protect your building from damage, but vehicles as well! You can install them on H-frame racking and use them horizontally as rack guards or on loading docks.

They feature a high-density polyethylene construction in bright, visible yellow. These protectors are rust-resistant, stress-resistant, and even UV-protected for outdoor use. They come in two different sizes to best suit your particular applications. And are easy to install using the mounting bolts provided with your purchase.

3. Wall Protectors

wall protection industrial safety products Repairing damage to drywall, concrete, or block walls can be expensive. But you can prevent this damage with Wall Protectors. These are especially useful in drum storage areas or on loading docks where wall damage can occur.

You can install wall protectors vertically or horizontally at any height based on your facility needs. Their bright-yellow high-density polyethylene contains UV inhibitors. Which make them suitable for use both indoors and out. They are rust-resistant, stress-resistant, and designed to resist cracking and chipping.

4. Forklift Mats

forklift safety mat Don’t let fluids from your forklifts damage your floors or present employee slip hazards. Forklift Mats can protect from both of these situations. These mats are perfect for parking forklifts overnight. Or for protecting floors while performing maintenance or recharging.

Driving forklifts over these super-absorbent polypropylene mats won’t damage them. Their non-penetrable, non-skid material keeps the mats in place. It also prevents fluids absorbed into the top side of the mats from reaching the floors below.

5. Rag Rug Industrial Absorbent Floor Mats

absorbent rag rug safety mat It’s especially important to protect your floors in high-traffic areas. That’s because this is where small spills and leaks tend to frequently happen. Rag Rug Industrial Absorbent Floor Mats are perfect for these applications. For instance, to help prevent slips and trips.

They can absorb oil, coolants, solvents, and water. Because their construction uses 100% recycled materials, you can save money and stay green. The dark mat color hides grime and allows you to use the mats for longer periods of time before replacing them.

6. Abzorb Oil Mats

oil absorbent floor mat When absorbent mats just don’t cut it, try Abzorb Oil Mats with the non-penetrable vinyl backing. When you can’t fully absorb a spill or leak, it stops any leftover liquids from reaching — and potentially damaging — your floor.

These polypropylene mats are universally absorbent. Meaning you can use them to absorb oil, coolants, solvents, and water. The mats are non-flammable and come in dark grey to disguise stains. They have skid-resistant backing and a lay flat design that won’t curl or buckle. They’re so durable that we guarantee their use for three years against cracking, tearing, or leaking!

Your industrial safety products and absorbents specialists

Day-to-day industrial work can damage your facility, equipment, and employees if you aren’t careful. Protecting all of these is a top priority — and the experts at AbsorbentsOnline have the materials you need.

Do you have the right industrial safety products for your workplace? To find out, contact Angie Meza at angie@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

With Industrial Floor Mats, You Can Keep Trucking Along

July 10, 2015 by Travis Zdrazil

A mat is a mat — right? Wrong!

Although we rarely pay much attention to the mats scattered around our homes and our workplaces, each performs a particular function to make the facility safer.

Industrial floor mats are one of the easier ways to keep floors dry and conditions tidy. In fact, OSHA 1910.22 dictates good floor housekeeping around the workplace. Including the requirements that:

“the floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition. Where wet processes are used, drainage shall be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry standing places should be provided where practicable.”

How to choose the right industrial floor mat

Take a look around your facility and seek out places where floors may be accident prone. Then, review this handy guide to find the perfect mat for every problem.

For vehicle parking: The Forklift mat will protect your flooring from damage by oils or battery acids. And, as a bonus, it is excellent at preventing slips and falls!
Catch drips and leaks: The Oil drip mat is super absorbent and will absorb oil, coolants, solvents, and water. This mat is also good at preventing slips and falls.Alternatively, the Survivor mat is a universal absorbent and can take the punishment of everyday wear and tear. It’s camo patterning is also a great way to disguise dirt and grime.
Hide grime: For high-traffic areas, try the Rag rug industrial absorbent floor mat. Made from recycled material, this mat can absorb grunge without looking dirty.
For heavy-duty oil drips: For the machinery that will deal out major oil drips, the Railroad containment absorbent track mat will serve nicely. This is the heaviest, thickest, and most absorbent barrier mat available.

No matter what your needs, industrial floor mats are one of the most inexpensive solutions for keeping floors clean and safe. And the best part? No assembly required!

Want to learn more about absorbents or industrial floor mats? AbsorbentsOnline can help. Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.