The type of mat that is best suited for you depends on the type of environment you need it for. Dry, wet and oily environments all have their own requirements and it’s important you make the right decision.
While anti-fatigue mats often share some characteristics, certain mats will have features that means they’re better suited for specific environments. Here’s a breakdown of some of the factors that may affect your choice:
Foot traffic: How busy is your workplace? If there’s a constant stream of people walking back and forth across an area all day, then you’ll need a mat that can withstand such usage. A mat designed for lighter use will simply degrade faster than a heavy-duty alternative.
Movement on the mat: If the user turns on the mat during their working process, then mats with a wear-resistant top surface are preferable, as they help to prevent earlier degradation of the matting.
Environment purpose: What type of work takes place in your environment? If it’s an engineering plant, for example, then a heavy duty mat that can withstand a lot of traffic and that is resistant to oils and chemicals is ideal. If it’s a medical environment, or a food-based environment, then you should consider a mat with extra hygienic properties.
Area layout: Anti-fatigue matting is available on rolls, as individual mats and in tiled format, which means it can be easily fitted together to suit the shape of your space. This is particularly useful for areas with unusual layouts, such as behind the bar in a pub or restaurant, or around machinery or appliances in a warehouse or commercial kitchen, for example.
Materials present: If you operate a workplace where chemicals are regularly used or chemical-based products are used, then we advise you to look for a nitrile-based mat. Nitrile is resistant to the chemicals found in things like oil and grease, so you won’t need to worry about degradation or damage should anything be spilled on your mats. There are also different levels of recycled materials available in different mats, so you can choose according to your preferences and your company policy.
Below, you can find a few of our recommended anti-fatigue mats for wet, oily and dry environments respectively.