Workstation mats are important for the human body. Work requires people to be active, alert, and healthy so they can perform their best. Human bodies are easily subjected to injury and discomfort which can slow down work. We are constantly looking for less taxing ways to accomplish our daily tasks. Anti-fatigue mats are used to accomplish this for the human body. Workstations are common across the world today. They are in kitchens, at fulfillment centers, and in every store with a cash register. Most of these people stand for their entire shift. You have determined you need standalone workstation mats as opposed to ergonomic flooring. But there are so many different mats out there, where to even start?
Narrowing it down:
There are thousands of mats out there. One effective way to start narrowing them down is to find out if your workstation is wet or dry. Wet areas require different compounds to resist slips and fight oils. Dry areas have more options, but many cannot be used in wet areas.
Wet Areas
Wet areas often work with water, oil, cutting fluids, and/or slippery floors. Wet area mats are typically made with different rubbers, some more resistant to chemicals. Nitrile rubber is the most resistant, but there are options for environments primarily dealing with water, oil, cutting fluid, or chemicals. Ultimate traction is also helpful in many cases.
Dry Areas
Dry areas allow for more mat options but unique problems. Stay-Put Finish mats help keep mats from sliding around in drier environments. Welding specific options are designed to protect the floor from heat and sparks. GRITSHIELD provides an additional layer of resistance to provide better traction. Lab mats, premium ergonomic mats, and budget friendly mats are also available to improve ergonomics in your dry areas.
Sizing:
Many traditional dry area mats can be made for any unique workstation size. In wet areas, rubber custom mats are often preferred and can also be made to specific workstation size requirements.
While a 2’x3’ mat is perfect for workers standing in one spot during their shift, many ‘work paths’ require people to move back and forth to complete their work. Most of our traditional dry area mats can be made to fit any unique workstation size. In wet areas, rubber mats are often preferred and can also be designed to fit any workstation size.
If a custom mat is out of budget, there is a wide selection of standard sizes for wet and dry areas. Contact us at www.wearwell.com to get help planning what size is best or how to customize your mat.
Budget Vs. Premium Workstation Mats:
Budget: There may be many simple foam mats out there for cheap prices, but they generally break down quickly, unlike Wearwell’s SMART mats. It is made with a similar foam but a strong Diamond-Plate surface to last longer in a low foot traffic area. It is the perfect budget-friendly mat that holds up in light industrial areas.
Industry Equivalents: Industry standard mats help workers when the budget cannot afford a premium mat. Sometimes these can do the most good for the most people from a budget perspective. Use SELECT in dry areas and WorkSafe in wet areas for the best results.
Premium: If you are dealing with any pain points, the premium mat options can be a strong investment for years to come. SpongeCote and Rejuvenator are the best dry area mats for the job on the market. 24/ Seven Workstation Mats outperform in any wet environment. Long-lasting, high value, and amazing ergonomic support are standout qualities allowing these mats to redefine what an anti-fatigue mat should be.
One size does not fit all when it comes to mats. Getting the right mat placed in the ideal spot prevents injuries, optimizes performance, and positions your team to feel their best on the job.
Product or other questions? Reach out to us at info@wearwell.com!
Wearwell: Prevent, Perform, Compete!
