Buyer's Guide to Non-Slip Matting

Slips and falls can happen in any workplace. The more slip hazards in your work environment—like liquid on the floor —the more likely it is that someone will go tumbling down. 

A non-slip mat is a good way to ensure fewer accidents happen when potential slip hazards are present. Non-slip mats are designed to reduce the number of workplace falls by providing traction for employees and patrons.

If a non-slip mat sounds right for your business, how should you go about selecting the right one? There are, essentially, two factors you should consider when looking to get a non-slip mat: where the mat will be used and how much usage the mat will get. Considering these two factors will help you figure out the size, shape and materials that will need to be incorporated into your mat. 

Whatever your workplace needs, NoTrax has just the right mat for you. Our mats are made with the highest quality materials and are subject to thorough product testing.

Where the Mat will be Used

The first thing to consider when looking for the non-slip mat is where the mat will be used. NoTrax Mats are designed to function well in any setting. 

Our mats incorporate REDSTOP™ technology which virtually eliminates all mat sliding on dry floors and MICROSTOP™ which inhibits the growth of microorganisms on the mats. They are certified by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) which independently tests and certifies our products.

Even though any NoTrax mat will perform well, there are still non-slip mats designed with certain industries in mind. Each industry has a unique work environment. Many restaurants, for example, have walk-in freezers where temperatures are very cold. In this case, there are mats made to function specifically in cold-temperature environments. 

Here are some descriptions of various work-place conditions to help you determine which mat is right for you.

NoTrax has non-slip mats for many work environments. The most common of which are:

This is the most common type of work environment. However, dry doesn’t necessarily mean slip-proof. Spills happen, condensation can accumulate, and floors can become slick. If you have an otherwise dry workspace, a basic non-slip mat can ensure you also have a safe workspace.

This is any business or workspace that frequently uses liquids and has a high potential for wet work areas. For instance, the mining and aerospace industries often use waterjet cutting to fabricate machine parts. When water is part of your daily process, employees could easily slip and fall in a busy work environment.

Work environments that deal with food usually involve grease. The cooking or food preparation process can lead to food-related oils or grease on the floor. Grease can be even more hazardous than water, so a non-slip mat that is meant to withstand the corroding effects of grease is a good idea.

Non-food-related oils would involve any industry that frequently uses oils, like a machine shop or auto repair. Oil on the floor of a work area is a potential slip hazard for employees and patrons. A non-slip, nitrile rubber mat meant for environments where oil is present will promote the safety of the staff and the longevity of the mat.

Sometimes certain industries will use flames or high heat in their work areas. In this case, it’s a good idea to get a mat that’s fire retardant and designed to self-extinguish when exposed to open flames.

The second consideration when looking for the right non-slip mat is how much usage the mat will get. How much traffic does your business tend to have? What about where the staff works? Are employees coming and going frequently? Will mats have more than one person on them at a time? Will there be heavy equipment rolled over your mats? 

These are all questions that will help you determine how much durability to look for in your non-slip mat.

However, there are still levels of usage that can affect any mat’s longevity over time. Here are some descriptions of usage levels to help you determine what kind of non-slip mat is right for you.

• Light Traffic. Light traffic mats are meant to provide ergonomic relief to individual workers who spend long periods of time in one spot. Light traffic mats are best for indoor use and may need to be replaced more often than medium or heavy traffic mats.
• Medium Traffic. Medium traffic mats are designed to withstand more weight and wear and tear than light traffic mats. If multiple people will be working on the same mat, people will be walking continuously on the mats or light equipment like carts will be on the mats, then consider a medium traffic mat. Suited for both indoor and outdoor use depending on the application. 
• Heavy Traffic. Heavy traffic mats are rated for the most weight and the most wear and tear. If your industry involves lots of employees coming and going or heavy equipment that will be rolled over, set on or potentially dropped on the mats, then a heavy traffic mat may be right for you. Considered the best value, heavy traffic mats need to be replaced less frequently than other mat types.

Custom Mats

Some work areas may be bigger or involve angles/spaces that can’t be accommodated by stock matting. Fortunately, NoTrax offers a full range of products with features that can help you navigate your unique working environment. These options include:

• Stock Sizes.Before turning to custom mating, we have many stock sizes that may be suitable for your needs. These are prefabricated mats that come in many sizes.
• Custom Length.If you can’t find what you need in our stock inventory, then we can cut a roll to fit your exact specifications.
• Tiles.Another great option is our interlocking mat tiles. These tiles can be configured and arranged in all kinds of unique shapes to fit unorthodox work environments.

Understanding the Specifics (Glossary)

Some of the descriptions of our products can be difficult to navigate because they’re industry-specific. Here’s a glossary to help you understand the jargon and find the mat that’s just right for you.

Materials

• Rubber. General-purpose rubber is a solid piece of durable and slip-resistant material.
• Nitrile Rubber. A synthetic rubber engineered to provide stability in work areas that involve slip hazards like oil or grease.
• Vinyl. A synthetic plastic meant for dry applications. It helps prevent floor damage and scratches in addition to providing support for employees.
• Polyurethane.A polymer that provides extra protection to prevent rips and tears.

Patterns

• Diamond. Our most popular pattern, diamond plating is often seen in industrial products. Provides a lot of traction.
• Pebble. A slightly granular texture that provides a gripping, stable workspace.
• Smooth. Non Textured surface that isn’t glossed, raised, or uneven. This is the easiest pattern to keep clean.
• Bubble/Domed. Dome-like bubbles spread evenly across the mat for increased grip and ergonomic relief.