A Guide to Floor Mats for Manufacturing Plants

A manufacturing plant is a facility primarily dedicated to producing tangible products or goods. Even though manufacturing processes may vary from one industry to another, the facilities used for manufacturing tend to have the same basic layout—offices, assembly areas, packaging, and so on. Because of the heavy equipment and automated assembly often used in these facilities, safety protocols are of paramount importance.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), injuries occurring in manufacturing plants—such as motor-vehicle manufacturing, animal slaughtering, and machine shops—represented roughly 15% of all workplace injuries in the private sector in 2019. The report issued by the BLS indicated that sprains, strains, and tears were the most common injuries sustained by personnel in manufacturing operations.

It is important to implement proper safety equipment to protect employees from injury in your manufacturing facility. Mats designed for manufacturing operations can reduce strain on the body and prevent slips and falls in a variety of working conditions. NoTrax is the industry leader in mats designed for commercial, industrial, and public facilities. As facilities across the country continue to reopen their operations, there has never been a better time to assess your facility’s matting needs.

Find the Right Mat for the Right Place

When considering which mats are best suited to your facility, it is important to select mats designed to function in areas in which they are used. Using the correct mat in the correct place will maximize the mat’s effectiveness and lifespan. In a manufacturing plant, mats designed to offer a comfortable working platform that will reduce strain on the body are ideal. Here is an outline of the most common areas of a typical manufacturing facility and an overview of the mats that are best suited to those areas.

The assembly area or production zone of a manufacturing plant is typically the largest area of the plant. This is where goods and products are assembled and made ready for packaging, shipping, or retail. In the assembly area, personnel are often required to stand for extended periods of time as they manage production equipment, perform spot checks, or sort materials.

Anti-fatigue mats are designed to provide employees with a comfortable working platform that is intended to reduce the strain on the back and knees. Anti-fatigue mats such the Anti-Fatigue Pebble Step Sof-Tred™ Dyna-Shield® 415  are ideal for the manufacturing area of a manufacturing plant and can help reduce workplace injury.

Anti-fatigue mats are ideal for the packaging area where personnel are required to stand for long hours as they prepare goods and products for shipping. For packaging areas with unique layouts, anti-fatigue mats with custom sizing and modular mats such as the Cushion Ease® Interlocking Anti-Fatigue Rubber Mat 550 that incorporates an interlocking design are also available.

For the exterior entrance area of a manufacturing facility, outdoor entrance mats are ideal. These mats feature a durable construction that often incorporates rigid bristles or fingers that begin the scraping process by dislodging dirt and debris from the bottom of shoes.

Exterior mats from NoTrax are designed to withstand a wide range of weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. These mats, including the 169 Opus™ CTE™ Entrance Mat will help to minimize slips and falls by providing traction for personnel and pedestrians. Exterior mats can also help to keep moisture out of lobbies and interior entrance areas by absorbing water before it can enter a building.

Interior entrance mats can help reduce slips and falls in the lobby area of a manufacturing facility. Mats including the Brush Step®Low Profile Entry Rug Mat 109 are designed to continue the scraping process begun by exterior mats. In addition to preventing moisture from being tracked inside, interior entrance mats from NoTrax also provide a welcoming aesthetic.

Loading areas in a manufacturing facility are where trucks or other vehicles pick up or drop off products or materials. Because these areas are often located outside, moisture from rainfall or condensation represents a potential slipping hazard for employees. Protecting these areas with a non-slip mat such as Rubber Traction  Diamond Top Interlock™ Mat 545 can prevent personnel from being injured as they transport goods to and from the loading area.

In manufacturing facilities, storage areas mats are designed for large rooms where materials or equipment used for production are kept. Personnel are often required to transport heavy objects in and out of these areas. A non-slip mat such as Anti-Fatigue Mats and Rolls Comfort™ Rest Pebble T41 located at the entrances and aisles of a storage area can offer reliable traction for employees and prevent slips and falls.

 Mats designed for office areas can help prevent floors from being damaged by chairs or foot traffic. Office area mats such as the Grip-Sorb™Adhesive-Backed Absorbent Mat Runner 048 are ideal for protecting flooring from general wear and tear that occurs over time. Floor protection mats are available in a variety of patterns that can provide a welcoming aesthetic to any office workspace.