Forklift trucks frequently have to bring goods back and forth into warehouses from the outside. They will do so numerous times during the course of the working day. However it’s not just the goods making their way into the warehouse, dirt and water is also being tracked into the building on the wheels of the forklift. In inclement weather the problem is exacerbated greatly and this can result in health and safety issues, such as slip, trip and fall accidents.
The problem can be solved quite simply with the right matting placed at the entrance to the warehouse, over which the forklift truck can operate. The mat needs to be able to withstand the weight and motion of a forklift whilst containing the right wiping and drying properties to remove and hold onto dirt and moisture.
The Solution
Waterhog Forklift Truck Mats are an ideal solution to the problem. These mats are heavy duty dirt and moisture stoppers, constructed with rubber reinforced nubs which prevent the mat from crushing under the weight of heavy traffic, such as a forklift. The mats are bi-level, which means that the upper level wipes and scrapes the dirt and moisture off, which then falls to the lower level where it is stored until the mat is cleaned. The mats can be cleaned at the end of the day using an extraction machine or simply hosed or pressure washed then hung to dry.
If the area is prone to grease or oil, then an oil and grease proof all rubber bi level mat or a mat specifically designed for greasy conditions should be used. Examples of such mats include the all nitrile rubber Superscrape mat and Greasehog mats which have a grease proof fabric which aids removal of grease in particular.
What to avoid
Choosing the right matting to handle the problem caused by forklift trucks is particularly important. Traditional mats are neither reinforced nor bi-level. This means that traditional matting will become quickly saturated by dirt and moisture as the pile is crushed down and becomes less effective at holding the soil within the mat. Consequently as the traffic continues to travel over the matting, the dirt is transported into the building.
Avoid vinyl backed matting which is more liable to split, crack and curl under the weight of the forklift. These mats will quickly become a trip hazard in their own right and will need replacing more frequently than if you chose more durable rubber backed mats.
What to do next?
We regularly encounter the problem with forklifts bringing in dirt and moisture when we carry out mat audits for our customers. On many occasions the customer has called us in because they have a problem with dirt on floors in other areas of their building. The reason for this is that once dirt has been brought into the building, whether it be through the warehouse doors on a forklift or on visitors' feet through the main entrance, it is quickly transported to other areas of the building as people walk over it and carry it further afield on their footwear. Staff members often have to travel between the warehouse and the office and so the problem spreads.
If you would like a visit from one of our matting experts, you can take advantage of one of our free mat audits, whereby we visit your premises to find the source of your problem and compile a report to suggest the right matting you need in order for you to solve it. To request this, simply click on the banner below and fill out our Mat Audit form.
If you don't want to arrange an appointment with us and you just want to go ahead and buy a suitable mat then you can view our range of Waterhog Forklift Truck mats here: http://www.mats4u.co.uk/product/forklift-truck-mats.html
