Anti-Slip Floor Mats

Anti-slip floor mats are an essential engineering control designed to mitigate slip-and-fall hazards in demanding environments. Constructed from materials with a high coefficient of friction, these mats provide a secure surface for foot and light equipment traffic, especially where liquids, oils, or particulates are present.

Their primary function is to enhance surface traction to improve occupational safety. High-performance mats can also offer secondary benefits like anti-fatigue properties and vibration damping, contributing to greater operational efficiency.

Types of Anti-Slip Flooring Mats

The selection of an anti-slip mat is dictated by its operational environment, with different materials offering distinct performance characteristics.

Rubber Mats

Commonly made from natural or nitrile rubber, non-slip rubber mats offer an intrinsically high coefficient of friction. Nitrile variants are specified for industrial areas with petroleum-based oils and greases due to their superior chemical resistance. Textured or perforated surfaces are common for facilitating drainage.

Polymer Mats

Manufactured from compounds like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymer mats provide excellent resistance to chemicals, acids, and alkalis. This makes them suitable for laboratories and processing areas. Formulations can include fire retardancy or UV resistance for specialised applications.

Glass Fibre Reinforced Mats

Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP) mats are a heavy-duty composite solution offering an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and impact resistance. With a gritted surface for maximum traction, they are ideal for elevated walkways and platforms in corrosive environments like marine or chemical facilities.

Aluminium Mats

Engineered for high-traffic entranceways, aluminium mats feature a rigid, interlocking construction with abrasive inserts. They excel at scraping coarse dirt and absorbing moisture while resisting deformation from heavy loads like trolleys. Chequered aluminium sheets are also sometimes used as anti-slip aluminium mats in industrial settings.

Entrance Mats

These mats are a facility's first line of defence against tracked-in dirt and moisture. They often feature a dual-zone construction with aggressive scraping fibres to remove debris and softer fibres to absorb water, preserving the safety and cleanliness of interior floors.

Some thinner anti-slip entrance mats may shift, curl, or lift at the edges. Foam tape can help provide semi-permanent adhesion to hold them flat and reduce trip hazards.

Key Features & Benefits of Anti-Slip Mats

The technical features of anti-slip mats translate directly into measurable safety and operational advantages.

• Enhanced Traction: Achieves a high coefficient of friction through material choice and surface geometry (textures, grit) to minimise slip risks in contaminated areas.
• Durability: Engineered to withstand heavy traffic, chemical exposure, and temperature changes, ensuring a long operational lifespan and lower total cost of ownership.
• Easy Maintenance: Non-porous materials and open-grid designs simplify cleaning protocols and resist degradation from industrial cleaning agents.
• Versatility: Available in standard sizes, continuous rolls, and interlocking tiles to provide scalable safety solutions for diverse or irregular floor plans.
• Comfort: Many mats incorporate anti-fatigue properties, cushioning operatives who stand for long periods to reduce musculoskeletal strain and improve productivity.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Anti-Slip Mat

A systematic selection process ensures the chosen non-slip mat meets all technical and safety requirements in NZ.

Consider the Environment

Analyse all operational hazards, including the specific types of liquids (water, oils, chemicals), potential for solid debris (swarf), and temperature or UV exposure. This assessment dictates material suitability.

Select the Material

Match the mat's material to the environmental assessment. Use nitrile rubber for oily conditions, PVC for chemical exposure, and GRP for areas requiring high load capacity and corrosion resistance.

Determine Size Requirement

Specify the coverage area using standard mats for workstations or interlocking tiles for larger production lines. Ensure edges are bevelled to prevent trip hazards.

Check for Additional Features

Evaluate the need for specialised properties such as Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection for electronics workshops, certified fire retardancy, or open-grid designs for significant liquid drainage.

Applications of Non-Slip Mats

The application of non-slip flooring mats is critical across sectors where floor conditions can compromise safety.

• Industrial: Deployed on assembly lines, at machining stations, and in maintenance bays to provide secure footing around equipment and areas prone to fluid leaks.
• Commercial: Essential in commercial kitchens, food processing plants, and hospitality service areas to manage frequent spills of water, grease, and other liquids.
• Residential: High-performance mats are used in home workshops and garages where spills of oil or solvents can create slip hazards beyond the capability of standard domestic mats.

The Leading Supplier and Distributor of Anti-Slip Floor Mats in New Zealand

RS is your dependable partner for top-quality anti-slip floor mats. We offer a wide selection from trusted manufacturers such as Notrax, COBA, and Tesa, catering to various workplace safety needs across industrial, commercial, and domestic environments. Whether you’re looking for mats with oil resistance, drainage features, or added cushioning, we provide solutions to suit every application, all at competitive prices.

You’ll also find a range of complementary workplace safety products, from floor marking tapes and PVC strip curtains to adjustable feet and anti-vibration mounts, all designed to enhance grip, reduce hazards, and support a stable working environment. Shop anti-slip rubber mats, entrance mats, wet area mats, and more online with RS. For information on how to order, our delivery services, and applicable charges, visit our delivery information page.