Safety has become one of the highest regarded ways of maintaining an effective and efficient work site. With all the “safety celebrations” and attention being brought to maintaining an injury free work place, it is only appropriate that your matting follows suit.
Safety starts with proper education. Knowing your equipment, co- workers, and surroundings are just a few of the ways to stay safe. Education of matting that is used on your job sites is crucial to ensuring safe work environments and accumulating “safe work” hours.
First, mats are only as durable as the effort it took to lay them. Be sure to lay your mat properly – side to side, no overlapping. Make sure there is no gap between the mats to allow for a seamless platform.
Second, choose your lifting source: Cables, chains, or no chains or cables at all. Cables make it easy to hook the mat with a track hoe and move them from location to location. Chains will lay flat, as not to promote a tripping hazard, but make picking up the mat a little more challenging. Some contractors prefer no lifting and choose to move the mat with a forklift. Whatever lifting device you choose, be sure to know your safety measure to stay safe.
Thirdly, move mats with caution. Some contractors lay and then move mats to continue working. Once a mat is laid, it can create suction to the ground. It’s important to lifts mats with ease and move them in the appropriate manner as not to “pop” them up and risk injury.
Lastly, under layers of mud, mats can be slippery. Make an effort to know your surroundings and understand that no matting made of wood or composite is fall-proof. Some ways to help counteract the mud is to place dirt or rocks over the mat to soak up any moisture.
Safety will always be a number one priority and knowing your risk factors while using mats will make for a safer working environment.
Remember, matting is only as safe as the operator of them, and always remember a safe job site is an efficient job site. That’s the motto of Ritter Forest Products!
