Guide to workplace mats and rubber mats

Here you can download our inquiry form for workplace mats (in Excel format). This form asks for all the important parameters to help you select a suitable mat.

Why are workplace mats important?

" Workplace mats, also called anti-fatigue mats or ergonomic mats, are mats with cushioning properties. They relieve pressure on the joints, spine, and back muscles at standing workstations and provide thermal insulation." (Source: German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Food and Catering Industry: Industry Knowledge - Workplace Mats )

Rubber mats are an important part of workplace safety to prevent slipping, tripping and falling, especially in wet environments or on smooth floors.

Healthy and ergonomic standing at the workplace is an important issue today. "The average assembly worker spends over 7 hours a day standing in the same spot. This adds up to 1,820 hours of standing per year!" (Source: 2018 BKK Health Report , musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading cause of work incapacity, accounting for 24.7% of all sick days. Prolonged standing on hard surfaces (such as concrete floors) at work leads to joint pain, back pain, and foot pain for employees. As a result, employees at standing workstations tire more quickly, are less productive, and are more frequently absent due to illness. This problem is expected to worsen due to demographic changes.

Several scientific studies have demonstrated that ergonomic anti-fatigue mats increase standing comfort and reduce health risks for employees at standing workstations. Employees experience significantly less pain with such a mat than without.

The following information on the advantages of ergonomic workplace mats , including a comparison with shoe insoles , is available, among other things:

Advantages of ergonomic workplace mats compared to insoles (from ERGOMAT)

New Findings from Research into Standing Work Positions (in English from ERGOMAT)

Mats, Insoles, or Both? (in English from M+A Matting)

Which is better: anti-fatigue mats or shoe insoles? (by COBA Europe)

How do you choose rubber mats?

Ergonomic workplace mats, rubber mats and anti-slip mats are available in various materials, each with different physical and chemical properties :

• Polyurethane (PU)
• Nitrile
• PET
• PVC
• natural rubber
• Styrene-butadiene rubber

Some nitrile mats can withstand temperatures up to 120°C or even short-term exposure to welding sparks or sparks . These can be flame-retardant (B1).

Another important factor is the surface or surface structure of the mats , which can vary:

• Slippery (especially if they are to be driven on)
• Slip-resistant / non-slip (due to the material or coating, e.g. nitrile)
• Ribbed profile (also slip-resistant)
• Flat studded profile for walking and turning movements , or when these are to be driven over by pallet trucks, for example.
• Hemispherical profile for standing workstations
• Perforated profile or holed (so that liquid can drain away more easily)
• Special surfaces, such as antistatic, conductive, or antimicrobial.

What are workplace mats used for?

Workplace mats are designed for specific uses, e.g.

• Especially elastic or ergonomic as an anti-fatigue mat for dry standing workstations
• Highly wear-resistant, even suitable for forklift traffic.
• Dirt-trapping mats for pedestrian traffic, but also as special forklift mats for cleaning tires
• %C3% B6le-fette-schmier-und-schleifmittel/chemikalienbestandige-matten-598.html">Chemical-resistant and oil-resistant rubber mats
• In wet areas, perforated mats are used as drainage solutions to prevent employees from slipping on a film of grease.
• Flame-retardant, e.g. for welding workstations
• Dissipative for ESD workstations
• Special hygiene mats or cleanroom mats , some of which are also autoclavable.

Other properties include, for example, exceptional dirt resistance, flame retardancy, suitability for welding, ESD/antistatic properties, and the use of a non-slip rubber mat or anti-slip mat (possibly also on the underside to prevent slipping on smooth floors). Insulating against vibrations, cold, and heat, and hygienic/antibacterial properties are also possible (e.g., for use in commercial kitchens, canteens, or hospitals). Mats can also be used to protect floors or carpets (e.g., as floor mats for office chairs or in chemical laboratories). Design or logo mats can be used for advertising purposes in business premises, at trade fairs, in reception areas, or as accessories for machinery.

What types of rubber mats are there?

Basically, any shape can be custom-made. Mat panels can be precisely fitted together, e.g., around a machine or along a production line.

There are also mats available in the form of tiles, which can be laid flexibly.

When using rubber ring mats, the size should be chosen so that the rings are not damaged or cut, as this negatively affects the stability of the mat.

Manufacturers often offer certain standard sizes (e.g., 60 x 90 cm or 100 x 135 cm) because the mat panels are individually produced in a mold. For cost reasons, it is advisable to stick to the standard size (or a multiple thereof), as this minimizes waste. A beveled edge is usually included, but this can also be omitted (e.g., on the table side).

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What colors are the mats available in?

The standard color for rubber mats is black or a dark gray, as these colors don't show dirt as easily. However, light gray or silver mats are also available, for example, for hygiene areas or where white abrasives are used.

Other colors include yellow (as a warning color) or blue, red, green, or brown, for example, to visually delineate hygiene zones. The edges can also be yellow instead of black, for instance, to visually highlight them.

How long do mats last?

Good, durable mats pay off in the long run. Seemingly cheap "Chinese goods" often only last a few months and don't offer good standing comfort – while German/European quality products can last for many years, depending on use and care. Some manufacturers offer warranties of up to six years.

How do I clean workplace mats?

Workplace mats should also be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure they last longer.

For mats used in dry areas (usually made of polyurethane) and relatively sensitive natural rubber mats, it is recommended to sweep or vacuum them regularly. To a limited extent, they can also be cleaned with a small amount of liquid and a mild detergent (pH 6-8) followed by drying. However, the mats should not be spot-blasted. The use of oscillating cleaning machines or automatic cleaning devices is not recommended.

For rubber mats in wet areas , e.g. made of nitrile or EPDM, the following cleaning methods are possible:

• Sweeping with a broom
• Vacuuming
• Wet cleaning with a mild detergent (pH 5-9). Special hygiene mats can also be wet cleaned with a more aggressive detergent (pH 1-13).
• High-pressure cleaning (70 – 100 bar) with a minimum distance of 20 cm
• Autoclave for sterilization (In each individual case, check with the manufacturer beforehand whether the rubber mat and the adhesives used are suitable for this!)
• Dry the mat thoroughly to prevent mold growth.
• The mat should not be folded during cleaning and drying.

Cleaning methods should always be tested beforehand. No liability is assumed for the cleaning recommendations!

Here you will find appropriate care instructions for workplace mats.

Whether on the production line, at the machine, or at reception – we have a solution, and you'll have satisfied employees. Contact us for a personal consultation.