Tier I Working Group1st Quarter FY 2010

Floor Mats

March 5, 2010

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Safety Topic – Floor Mats

It’s that time of year again! (or at least it will be soon!)• Winter weather means wet, snowy, icy walking surfaces and the

potential for slip/trip/fall hazards at the critical juncture between outdoor unheated spaces and indoor heated spaces

See Walking and Working Surfaces Subject Area• Section 9, Keeping Walking Surfaces Safe• See also

Self-Inspection Checklist of Walking and Working Surface Requirements

- Developed by National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) in cooperation with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to help prevent slip/trip/fall accidents

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Safety Topic – Floor Mats

Matting and Grating Guidelines• Use recessed absorbent “walk-off” matting to control

migration of soil and liquid hazards at all interior doorways that lead to the outside. Inspect and clean them regularly

• Use low-profile abrasive matting in areas where grease, oil, and other hazardous liquids may be present

• Ensure mats whose thickness (vertical height) of ¼” or greater that may pose a trip hazard have beveled edges of a contrasting color

• Select mats with a slip-resistant backing on wet surfaces to reduce “surf-boarding” (NFSI or ANSI certified)

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Safety Topic – Floor Mats

Matting and Grating Guidelines (cont’d)• Routinely inspect mats for buckling, curling or material

defects• Inspect floor grates to insure that they are level with the

surrounding walkway surfaces. The size of the opening in the grate should be small enough so as not to allow a shoe heel to catch

• Do not place mats over uneven or damaged surfaces• Secure mats properly to the floor to prevent curling,

buckling, migration, etc.- Make sure backing and floor surface underneath mat

are clean

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Mat curling creates trip hazard

Safety Topic – Floor Mats

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Overlapping mats can cause a trip hazard

Safety Topic – Floor Mats

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Mat too close to edge of landing will move beyond the landing, causing a fall hazard

Note: This mat was positioned like this for photographic purposes only, and was moved away from the

edge of the landing.

Safety Topic – Floor Mats

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Mat too close to step tread. Mat can interfere with fire doors

Safety Topic – Floor Mats