1. Can you customize this mat?

At Wearwell we specialize in customizing mats and we are efficient and good at it. If we customize a product, i.e. make a mat that is a custom width or in a unique configuration, a "C" is on the catalog page. It looks like this:

2. Chemical Resistance - We field many questions about which mat will hold up to specific chemicals or industrial fluids. If you are asked a question regarding Chemical Resistance of a particular mat, we recommend you follow these steps.

1. Refer to our Chemical Resistance Guide. Search by product, chemical, resistance level or a combination of selections to help you find the mat that has been tested around the chemicals in your work area.

2. Look at the Chemical Resistance Chart in the back of our catalog. Since it is organized by compound, it's a good guideline and starting point.

3. If your chemical is not on the chart, feel free to call us for further guidance. Before you call, please have specific information including if possible, an MSDS of the chemical in question.

4. If the chemical is quite caustic, or if we cannot definitively answer your questions, please request a sample to test.

3. How do I clean my mat?

We provide Mat Cleaning Guidelines in the back of the Wearwell® full line catalog.

4. What is the life expectancy of this mat?

Life Expectancy - The life expectancy of a mat can vary dramatically depending on a multitude of factors such as: number of shifts per day, amount of foot traffic, exposure to oils, caustic chemicals or fluids, excessive temperatures, cleaning and maintenance schedule, compound, etc. The following is general representation of what our customers experience (your experience may vary):

5 Years or more - Urethane Mats (Ex: Rejuvenator®)

3 to 5 years - SpongeCote® Mats (Ex: Diamond-Plate SpongeCote®) and Injection molded PVC (Ex: ErgoDeck®)

2 to 3 years - Molded Rubber Mats (Ex: 24/Seven® )

6 to 12 months - PVC Sponges (Ex:Tuf Sponge)

5. What are the acceptable matting tolerances?

Acceptable tolerances vary by product type. For example, Tire mats may be as much as three (3) inches longer or shorter than requested due to the materials used and the manufacturing process. In the case of runner matting, it is widely accepted that the matting may be 1 to 1 1/2" narrower than specified. Length is not always exact either. Certain materials have a tendency to shrink and others to expand depending on the weather conditions and the manner in which they are packaged. We do however, strive to insure all of our products are as close as possible to the size specified in our catalog or required by our customers.

6. Are there tests that prove that anti-fatigue mats actually work, i.e. that they reduce fatigue and increase productivity?

Yes. We have an excellent summary of the most often cited tests and a year-long productivity trial conducted at a manufacturing plant in Tennessee. These tests are summarized in a document called "Dynamic Ergonomics" whhich is available from Wearwell on a CD, on the website or as a pdf.

7. What is the difference between a Conductive and a Non-conductive mat?

A Conductive mat protects sensitive equipment by drawing static electricity off workers before they touch susceptible chemicals or apparatus. Humans quickly generate static electricity through the friction caused by walking or using chairs with casters. Then with a simple touch, this static electricity is passed to sensitive equipment such as a computer. One such shock can destroy internal microchips or cause a spark that can ignite flammable chemicals. However, if the person steps onto a conductive mat before touching the equipment, the static is conducted off his or her body, and out the mat through the grounding snap.

Most commonly called Switchboard Matting, non-conductive mats insulate and protect workers from deadly shocks generated by high voltage equipment. (This type of electrical shock is dangerous because it has high amperage.) These mats will not allow the electricity to conduct through the worker, and hence protects workers from serious injury.

8. I have a conductive anti-fatigue mat, but my employees still get static shocks and I am afraid this ESD is damaging our products. What is the problem?

There are two possibilities:

1. The mats are not grounded. Every Electrically Conductive mat has a snap to connect to a ground cord which then must be grounded to an electrical outlet or similar conduit. If the mat is not grounded there is no place for the static electricity to go. The employees will still be able to pass it on to the equipment.

2. The employees have insulative shoes and are not wearing heel grounders. Most shoes have soles that are not designed to conduct electricity (i.e. any shoes with rubber soles for example). In order to allow the static electricity to flow off the employee, he or she must wear heel grounders and the long fabric strip must touch his or her skin.

9. What does Coefficient of Friction mean?

Coefficient of Friction or COF is the measure of traction provided by the surface of the mat. It is a measurement of force that must be exerted before an object slips. Therefore, the higher the number, the better the traction. OSHA recommends a COF of .5 in dry areas and .25 in wet. The ADA recommends .6 on flat surfaces and .8 on ramps

Our GritWorks!® products are the best Wearwell® mats to use in slippery areas. GritWorks!® - This is our line of abrasive-coated, molded rubber mats. They are the only gritted, molded rubber anti-fatigue mats on the market. The grit system provides an exceptionally high level of traction (40% higher than OSHA recommendations) and is featured on all of our abrasive coated mats including Grit-Top Comfort Deck® No. 461.

10. How can I tell how soft a mat will be?

The actual test for softness is determined by the material and manufacturing process of the mat. There are two that conform to Wearwell products:

Compression Deflection - This is one way of measuring the softness or comfort level of a sponge mat. It measures how much a person's foot sinks into the mat - the higher the reading, the softer the mat. The results are affected by the thickness of the sponge backing and the flexibility of the surface material. We consider .20 - .5 the ideal range. The test is ASTM D575.

Durometer - The measure of hardness/softness of molded rubber and molded PVC mats. As a general rule, the lower the durometer, the softer the mat. Most of our mats range between 45-70 durometer. We consider 45-65 ideal range for molded rubber mats. The test is ASTM D2240.