You probably don’t go around observing floor mats everywhere you go. Yet here at Mats4U, we do! As sad as that seems, it’s actually quite interesting to see the condition and type of mats used in various places. Unfortunately, we have stumbled upon many mats that have been mistreated, and we can’t help but feel sorry for them, and for the people who’ve had accidents due to poorly misplaced mats of course. During our outings, we have taken pictures of badly placed or terribly looking mats. So, grab your popcorn, and here are our top 5 mat fails.
1) Small mats for big entrances
Mats are placed inside or outside buildings to allow people to wipe their feet before entering. This stops people from tracking dirt and moisture inside and leaves the environment clean and safe. However, there has been a case where a smaller mat has been used to serve this purpose.
Unless you or others have really small feet, this mat is perfect! As you can see from the image, the mat is not large enough to remove dirt and water off footwear. The square mat can easily be missed, causing dirt and moisture to enter the premises. Not only will it leave a mess, but it can lead to slips, falls and other serious accidents.
Recommendations
A wider mat placed properly can resolve the issue. But to ensure the environment is clean and safe, we recommend placing the Waterhog Classic or Tri Grip Heavy Duty. Both mats are perfect in your entrance way as they are the most effective for scraping off dirt and absorbing moisture.
2) Cracked, curled and split mats
The purpose of Anti-Fatigue mats is to provide comfort while standing for long hours. The cushioned surface is designed to reduce fatigue, pains and stress from the back and legs, but not having the mat completely flat on the ground can be very hazardous.
If the edges are curled, it’s a major sign that it’s time to get a new mat. This is also a trip hazard and can lead to serious injuries, making the workplace unsafe.
Recommendations
We recommend using mats with bevelled edging for added safety, and nitrile rubber backing to prevent cracking or curling. Hog Heaven Heavy Duty and Happy Feet are great examples and can even survive in the toughest weather conditions.
3) Scattered mats across entrance
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse. When you enter a supermarket to do a bit of shopping, you usually see 1 or 2 large mats at the entrance to stop moisture from getting in. However, this supermarket has multiple mats scattered around the entrance leading to unsuccessful results.
Not only does it look unappealing, but it’s a major safety hazard and could cause trips. These mats appear to be sliding around the floor, which could cause serious accidents. In high traffic areas, such as supermarkets, mats should have a non-slip rubber backing.
Recommendations
We suggest they use more heavy-duty mats to support their high traffic of visitors, such as the Waterhog Classic Modular Tile and Edges. The Waterhog does not require a professional to install the mat, since the tiles fit together like jigsaw puzzles. Perfect for large areas with strange shapes. They are also bi-level mats, therefore able to scrape, wipe and remove dirt off footwear. The bevelled edging will prevent trips and the non-slip backing will secure the mats in one place.
4) Using cardboard as mats
This is a perfect example of having an extremely poor matting system. Cardboard does not absorb water well, but once absorbed, it stays in the cardboard and causes a wet and slippery surface. Or worse, the water will just sit on top of the surface.
In addition, using cardboard as a substitute does not leave a good impression to guests. It also increases the likelihood of accidents happening, even if there is a wet floor sign.
Recommendations
To tackle long corridors, Tri Grip Heavy Duty is your answer. It’s one of our bestselling mats with outstanding absorption and durability. This gives the floor ultimate protection and can be used in wet and dry areas to prevents slips and accidents.
5) Worn out coir mats
Finally, in this little corner store, you can see 2 worn out mats. These are obvious signs that the mats need to be replaced.
Not only is it unpleasant to look at but having worn-out mats can leave a bad impression on customers when they walk in the store. Also, worn out mats will not perform its primary job very well, which could lead to wet and slippery floors.
Recommendations
The mats in the image below can be replaced with the Waterhog Classic. Since the Classic is bi-level constructed, dirt and water falls to the bottom level of the mat. This will scrape dirt and water from footwear, safeguarding the inside from getting filthy. It can also store up to 6.5 litre of water. Great for entrance areas!
There you have it. Our top 5 mat fails. Don’t worry, there are plenty more mistreated mats that need to be exposed, so don’t miss out! Keep your eyes peeled and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Check out our wide variety of mats on www.mats4u.co.uk. For more information, email sales@mats4u.co.uk, or call us on 0121 313 6748.
