Forklift Truck Mats – Keep your Warehouse and Building clean

The Importance of Warehouse Floor Mats: Keeping Your Facility Clean and Safe

We have an ever increasing number of customers approaching us to ask how they can prevent dirt and water being brought inside by forklift trucks. We understand the problems caused by forklift trucks, such as the health and safety issues they can cause, which include lower hygiene levels around the building, as well as an increase in slips and falls. We also know that the dirt and water they bring into the warehouse doesn't stay just there, as it will subsequently be tracked further around the building on the footwear of staff going about their daily tasks.

In the bustling environment of a warehouse, maintaining cleanliness and safety is paramount. One of the most common challenges faced by warehouse managers is preventing dirt and water from being brought inside by forklift trucks. This issue not only affects hygiene levels but also poses significant health and safety risks, including an increase in slips and falls. Additionally, the dirt and water tracked into the warehouse by forklifts do not remain confined to one area; they are further spread throughout the building on the footwear of staff as they go about their daily tasks. In this blog post, we will explore how warehouse floor mats can effectively address these challenges and enhance the overall safety and cleanliness of your facility.

The Challenges Posed by Forklift Trucks

Forklift trucks are essential for the efficient operation of any warehouse. They transport goods in and out of the facility multiple times a day, ensuring that inventory is moved quickly and efficiently. However, this constant movement also brings in dirt, water, and debris from outside. During inclement weather, the problem is exacerbated, leading to muddy and wet conditions inside the warehouse. This not only creates an unsightly mess but also increases the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents, which can result in serious injuries and costly downtime.

The Role of Warehouse Floor Mats

Warehouse floor mats are specifically designed to combat the issues caused by forklift traffic. These mats serve several critical functions that contribute to a cleaner and safer warehouse environment:

1. Dirt and Water Containment: Warehouse floor mats are engineered to trap dirt, water, and debris from the wheels of forklifts. By capturing these contaminants at the entry points, the mats prevent them from spreading throughout the warehouse, maintaining a cleaner environment.

2. Enhanced Safety: Slippery floors are a significant safety hazard in warehouses. Warehouse floor mats provide a non-slip surface that reduces the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents. This is especially important in high-traffic areas where forklifts frequently enter and exit the building.

3. Protecting Flooring: The constant movement of forklifts can cause wear and tear on warehouse floors. Warehouse floor mats act as a protective barrier, extending the lifespan of the flooring and reducing maintenance costs.

4. Improved Hygiene: By trapping dirt and moisture, warehouse floor mats help maintain higher hygiene levels within the facility. This is particularly important in areas where cleanliness is critical, such as food storage or pharmaceutical warehouses.

Choosing the Right Warehouse Floor Mats

Selecting the appropriate warehouse floor mats for your facility is crucial to maximizing their effectiveness. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Material: Look for mats made from durable materials that can withstand heavy forklift traffic. Rubber and vinyl are popular choices due to their resilience and ease of maintenance.

2. Size and Coverage: Ensure the mats are large enough to cover the entry points where forklifts enter and exit. Consider mats with beveled edges to prevent tripping hazards.

3. Non-Slip Surface: Opt for mats with a textured, non-slip surface to enhance safety. This feature is particularly important in wet conditions.

4. Ease of Cleaning: Choose mats that are easy to clean and maintain. Regular cleaning is essential to ensure the mats continue to effectively trap dirt and water.

Implementing Warehouse Floor Mats in Your Facility

To maximize the benefits of warehouse floor mats, it’s important to implement them strategically within your facility. Here are some tips for effective placement and maintenance:

1. Entry Points: Place warehouse floor mats at all entry points where forklifts move between the outside and inside of the warehouse. This is the first line of defense against dirt and water.

2. High-Traffic Areas: Identify high-traffic areas within the warehouse where forklifts frequently operate. Placing mats in these zones can further reduce the spread of contaminants.

3. Regular Cleaning: Establish a routine cleaning schedule for the mats to ensure they remain effective. Regularly remove accumulated dirt and water to maintain their performance.

4. Inspection and Replacement: Periodically inspect the mats for signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged or worn mats promptly to ensure continued safety and cleanliness.

The Benefits of Using Warehouse Floor Mats

Investing in high-quality warehouse floor mats offers numerous benefits for your facility:

1. Reduced Risk of Accidents: By providing a non-slip surface and trapping moisture, warehouse floor mats significantly reduce the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents. This helps protect your employees and minimizes the potential for costly workplace injuries.

2. Enhanced Cleanliness: Warehouse floor mats effectively trap dirt and debris, preventing them from spreading throughout the facility. This helps maintain a cleaner environment, which is particularly important in industries where hygiene is critical.

3. Cost Savings: Protecting your warehouse floors from wear and tear can result in significant cost savings over time. Warehouse floor mats help extend the lifespan of your flooring, reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements.

4. Improved Employee Morale: A clean and safe working environment contributes to higher employee morale and productivity. By investing in warehouse floor mats, you demonstrate your commitment to the well-being of your staff.

Conclusion

Warehouse floor mats are an essential investment for any facility looking to maintain a clean and safe environment. By effectively trapping dirt and water, these mats prevent the spread of contaminants and reduce the risk of slip, trip, and fall accidents. Choosing the right mats and implementing them strategically can significantly enhance the overall efficiency and safety of your warehouse operations. Don’t let dirt and water compromise the safety and cleanliness of your facility—invest in high-quality warehouse floor mats and experience the difference they can make.

The Solution – Forklift Truck Mats

Fortunately, in the majority of cases, the solution is quite simple. Place forklift truck mats at the entrance areas to the warehouse, or wherever the forklift truck enters the building from the outside and this will bring the following advantages:

• The majority of dirt, sand, grit, mud and water is removed from the wheels of the forklift
• The removed dirt, sand, grit, mud and water will be held on the mat, so it will not be tracked off as the forklift makes subsequent passes over the mat
• A much cleaner and more hygienic warehouse and building overall
• A saving in cleaning costs and cleaning time in and around the building due to less dirt build up
• An improvement in air quality inside the building due to a reduction in dust

 

What makes Forklift Truck Mats effective?

Forklift truck mats need certain properties in order to be effective and to remain effective over a long period of time. The features and benefits of Waterhog Forklift Truck Mats include:

• Bi-level mats – the upper surface of the mat wipes and scrapes the forklift wheels, the lower surface stores the dirt and water for later removal when cleaned
• The mat face is reinforced with crushproof rubber nubs to extend the life of mat and ensure the forklift stays on the upper level of mat, so it will not track dirt held in the mat on the lower level
• Simple to hose or pressure wash clean
• Can be laid down and cut to fit any size or shape of area

At Mats4U we have helped many companies overcome their problems associated with forklift trucks and the dirt and water that is brought inside as a consequence of forklifts. You can view our Forklift Truck Mats on the Mats4U website. We understand that many companies have their own unique set of challenges and we find the best way to solve these is in the form of our Mat Audit Service.

 

The Mat Audit Service from Mats4U:

At no expense or obligation to the customer we send a mat expert to your premises, anywhere in the UK, so we can fully understand and witness the problems you're encountering. We will tailor a report with product suggestions on how you can best solve these problems whilst taking into account any budget and time constraints you may have.

To request a mat audit for your company or simply to find out more about Forklift Truck Mats, simply email us at sales@mats4u.o.uk for more information.

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