If you’ve been browsing several types of mats offered here, do you know you can download the catalog for any an all of the mats and other such products offered here? So if you’re shopping only for anti-fatigue mats, you can pull up a PDF file [Adobe Acrobat] that shows all of variations of anti-fatigue mats; plus, you can download PDF files for all of our mats—too bad you can’t download the actual mats, right?

One of the great things about anti-fatigue mats is they come in so many styles, functions, and variations…from anti-slip mats that channel away liquids and grease, to industrial mats that have bubble top surfaces for exceptional comfort, called “bubble flex” mats.

I haven’t been to a lot of expos or trade shows to say I’m an expert on trade show flooring, or even other types of either rolled rubber flooring, or rubber foam interlocking floor tiles like those pictured here, but I have worked and walked on enough of these types of flooring to appreciate their tremendous value.

Usually, when we think of trade show flooring, or even commercial and industrial mats, we picture in our minds glass booths assembled on perhaps carpet top or faux wood finish mats that either assemble in tile form or those that roll out. When I think of installing some of these amazing trade show flooring tiles in my own home, I think of doing so in our family game room, where my son and his buddies and can lift—and sometimes drop—their weights, without damaging our floor, or without making a lot of racket!

In the May 24, 2010 Federal Register, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced its plans for required workplace improvements.  The notice of proposed rulemaking stated that it plans to require improved worker protection from tripping, slipping, and falling hazards on walking and working surfaces.

OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels said, “This proposal addresses workplace hazards that are a leading cause of work related injuries and deaths.

Among other things, the new proposal requires that floors of workrooms be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition. Additionally, it requires that, where wet processes are used, drainage be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry-standing places be provided when practicable. OSHA said it does not expect all surfaces to be maintained in a pristine manner, however, surfaces must be maintained in a condition that will prevent slips, trips, falls, and other hazards.  Many commercial and industrial mats have been designed specifically to address these concerns and provide an inexpensive way to bring comfort and safety into the workplace.

Industrial mats and trade show flooring are typically manufactured at endurance standards not called for in residential door or floor mats—many of which are, in actuality, anti-fatigue mats by nature.  With industrial mats, such as non-conductive mats that “grab” static electricity built up on human feet or caster wheels, anti-fatigue characteristics are and added plus.

Performa anti-fatigue mats [pictured] designed for wet areas such as restaurant kitchens and other environs prone to water or grease, channel away substances that would otherwise pool underfoot.  Both types are not really what you’d look for if you were looking for trade show flooring, but need anti-fatigue flooring for an exhibit.  The more fitting choice in the case of anti-fatigue trade show flooring for an expo would be something wood finish flooring like SoftWoodTM.

There are, perhaps, too many classifications of commercial and/or industrial mats to discuss here, but suffice it to say the manufacturers of anti-fatigue, non-slip, conductive, non-conductive, and about a dozen other such mats for every conceivable circumstance have really done the leg work for the rest of us, putting the best of technology and quality together—no…they don’t fool around when it comes to safety and improving worker performance!

Take, for instance, Stand-N-Weld industrial anti-fatigue mats [pictured here]; the Nitrile rubber surface fends off sparks from welding, grinding, or cutting, resists most chemicals, and provides stress relief to feet and body joints, as well as protecting against slipping. What more could you want from industrial mats?

Anti-fatigue mats reduce strain and fatigue on ankle joints, knees, lower back, and ease the effects gravity can have on the human frame, especially while standing on hard floors such as concrete whether bare or tiled.  And since anti-fatigue mats come in all sorts of styles, serve all sorts of purposes—whether solely anti-fatigue, or providing anti-slip properties—you can surely find what you need for your business, industrial or commercial.

Did you know there are even anti-fatigue mats especially designed for specific industries, like the Stand-N-Weld industrial anti-fatigue mat [pictured], for welders?  The point is, you don’t have to settle for just any ordinary mat when you’re looking to preserve your people, ensure their safety, and improve their performance.

Anti-fatigue mats are an important safety consideration for business owners.  If you own a business and are concerned about safety for your employees or visitors to your location, the safety benefits, alone, of anti-fatigue mats make them well worth the nominal investment.  Many insurance companies count mats as one of the major precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent slips, as well as providing added protection against bodily injuries during falls.  If you have employees who stand in place for many hours, or work in confined spaces, safety anti-fatigue mats are also and excellent choice; explore the options that work best for you.