ARE YOUR RUBBER FLOOR MATS STILL DOING THEIR JOB?
When employees have tasks that require them to stand for extended periods of time, rubber floor mats are a powerful force in combating workplace fatigue and helping your employees avoid any health risks.
There are many confirmed benefits of anti-fatigue mats in the workplace. They help workers stay healthy, lower fatigue, and increase productivity, which translates to a more profitable, efficient daily workflow. They allow for better circulation in the body, reduce pressure on your back, and provide more overall comfort during long periods of standing.
Just like anything else, however, your rubber floor mats can start to wear out and stop doing their job properly, especially since they are usually used all day long. They can last anywhere from six months to many years, depending on the brand and quality of the mats, but it’s important to periodically check out their condition to make sure they are still benefitting your employees.
It only takes a few moments to find out if your mats are in great shape or ready to be replaced. Here’s how to find out if they are still doing their job properly.
RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT
High-quality rubber anti-fatigue mats will noticeably respond to movement whenever someone steps on them or “bounce back.” To find out if your mats are still responding to movement properly, you need to:
- Look for any compressed areas, especially when weight is placed on them regularly.
- Make sure the mats return to the original shape when weight is shifted.
If any of your mats are showing compressed areas or not bouncing back properly, there’s a good chance that they are not providing the support that they are needed for.
SURFACE TEXTURE
Most rubber floor mats have a textured surface on the top of them, which helps with gripping. As they are used regularly, the texture may be worn out or not grip securely, which can cause slipping hazards.
If any of your mats’ surface textures are worn out, it’s a good idea to get them replaced. It is less of a safety hazard and improves overall security while standing.
SLIP RESISTANCE
An important attribute of rubber floor mats is that they are slip-resistant, so it’s important to check to make sure your mats aren’t slipping at all when being used. With time, anti-fatigue mats’ material can break down, causing them to start slipping.
They may slip just a little bit, or they may be slipping badly. In either case, if any of your mats slip when being stepped on, they are not doing their job properly and should be replaced.
EDGES
Over time, anti-fatigue matting edges may become worn or chipped. In these cases, your mats may cause employees to trip over them. This is a safety hazard, so when any of your mats have less-than-satisfactory edges, it’s time to get some replacements.
REPLACE YOUR ANTI-FATIGUE MATS TODAY
If you have any rubber floor mats that need to be replaced, DACO provides Ortho Mat™ Rubber Floor Mats, which are a thick, long-lasting, and durable anti-fatigue mat solution for your company. They come in a wide variety of styles to fit the needs of various applications and can last up to eight years.
Want to find out if Ortho Mat™ Rubber Floor Mats are right for your business? Call 877-764-0453 or contact us online today! Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more anti-fatigue mat pointers!
