June is National Safety Month, a time when businesses across the country take a closer look at the policies, equipment, and practices that help keep employees and customers safe.
For many organizations, that means reviewing safety training, inspecting first aid supplies, evaluating emergency procedures, or identifying workplace hazards before they lead to injuries.
However, one important safety tool is often overlooked entirely.
Your floor mats.
According to the National Safety Council, nearly 480,000 workers were injured in falls serious enough to require time away from work in 2024, while another 844 workers lost their lives. While many businesses focus on major safety initiatives, something as simple as a properly maintained floor mat can play an important role in reducing slip-and-fall risks.
The truth is, floor mats aren’t just a cleanliness tool. They’re part of your safety program.
Why Slips, Trips, and Falls Remain a Workplace Safety Concern
Slips, trips, and falls continue to be one of the most common causes of workplace injuries.
The National Safety Council reports that falls on the same level resulted in more than 405,000 workplace injuries during 2023-2024. Workers injured in these incidents missed a median of 20 workdays.
For businesses, those injuries can result in:
- Lost productivity
- Workers’ compensation claims
- Scheduling disruptions
- Increased insurance costs
- Liability concerns
In fact, slips, trips, and falls account for nearly 38% of all workplace injuries that result in days away from work.
While some workplace hazards require significant investments to address, preventing many slip-and-fall incidents can begin with something much simpler: controlling the moisture, dirt, and debris entering your facility.
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How Floor Mats Support Workplace Safety
Most slip-and-fall accidents don’t happen because someone wasn’t paying attention.
They happen because conditions changed.
Rainwater gets tracked through an entrance. Snow and salt accumulate near a doorway. Dirt and debris create slick surfaces. Employees move quickly through high-traffic areas without realizing the floor has become hazardous.
A properly designed floor mat program helps reduce these risks by:
- Capturing moisture before it spreads throughout the facility
- Trapping dirt, salt, and debris
- Improving traction in high-traffic areas
- Reducing slippery walking surfaces
- Creating safer transitions between indoor and outdoor environments
For Wisconsin businesses, this becomes especially important during rainy spring weather, snowy winters, and seasonal conditions that bring moisture indoors.
In many facilities, the entrance is the first line of defense against slip-and-fall injuries.
When Floor Mats Become Part of the Problem
Not all floor mats improve safety.
In fact, worn or improperly maintained mats can create hazards of their own.
Common issues include:
- Curled edges
- Worn backing
- Mats that slide or shift
- Buckled surfaces
- Mats that are too small for the space
A floor mat should lie flat, stay securely in place, and provide adequate coverage for the amount of foot traffic entering the building.
If it doesn’t, it may be time for replacement or professional servicing.
That’s why floor mats should be evaluated regularly as part of your facility’s safety inspections—just like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and other workplace safety equipment.
High-Risk Areas Every Business Should Evaluate
As part of National Safety Month, consider taking a walk through your facility and looking at areas where slips and falls are most likely to occur.
Building Entrances
Your entrances experience the highest concentration of moisture, dirt, and debris entering the building.
Without adequate mat coverage, those contaminants quickly spread throughout hallways, offices, breakrooms, and customer areas.
Employee Entrances and Service Doors
Many businesses focus on their front entrance but overlook employee access points. These areas often experience heavy traffic and exposure to outdoor conditions.
Kitchens and Food Service Areas
Restaurants, cafeterias, bars, and commercial kitchens face additional risks from water, grease, and food debris. Specialized safety mats can help improve footing while supporting a safer work environment.
Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities
Manufacturing facilities frequently contend with water, oils, dust, and other contaminants that can increase slip hazards. Proper matting can help improve traction while supporting overall workplace safety efforts.
Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare workers experience some of the highest rates of slip-and-fall injuries. In fact, the CDC reports that hospital employees experience lost-workday slip, trip, and fall injuries at rates significantly higher than the average private industry worker.
Is Your Floor Mat Program Supporting Your Safety Goals?
National Safety Month is the perfect time to ask a few simple questions:
- Are your mats large enough for the amount of traffic entering the building?
- Are they effectively capturing moisture and debris?
- Do they stay securely in place?
- Are any edges curled or damaged?
- Are high-risk areas adequately protected?
If you’re unsure, your floor mat program may deserve a closer look.
Workplace Safety Is About More Than One Solution
Creating a safer workplace requires a combination of training, procedures, equipment, and proactive planning.
Floor mats won’t solve every safety challenge. However, they are one of the simplest and most effective tools available for helping reduce slip-and-fall risks.
As you review your safety program this National Safety Month, don’t overlook the equipment your employees and customers walk across every day.
At Packerland Rent-A-Mat, we help businesses throughout Wisconsin create safer entrances, walkways, kitchens, healthcare facilities, and work environments with professionally maintained floor mat programs designed to perform when safety matters most.
Because floor mats aren’t decorations. They’re part of your safety program.
Are floor mats really part of a workplace safety program?
Yes. Floor mats help reduce slip-and-fall hazards by trapping dirt, moisture, and debris before they spread throughout a facility. Properly sized and maintained mats can improve traction in entrances, hallways, kitchens, and other high-traffic areas, making them an important part of an overall workplace safety strategy.
Where should commercial floor mats be placed for maximum safety?
The most effective locations include main entrances, employee entrances, loading docks, kitchen work areas, service counters, break rooms, locker rooms, and any area where moisture or debris may accumulate. The goal is to stop hazards before they create unsafe walking conditions.
Can floor mats help reduce slip-and-fall injuries?
While no safety measure can eliminate all accidents, properly maintained floor mats can help reduce common slip-and-fall risks by improving traction and controlling moisture, dirt, and debris in high-traffic areas.
What is National Safety Month and why does it matter for businesses?
National Safety Month is observed each June to raise awareness about workplace safety and injury prevention. It provides an opportunity for businesses to evaluate their safety programs, identify potential hazards, and implement improvements that help protect employees, customers, and visitors.
What are some commonly overlooked workplace safety hazards?
Wet floors, worn floor mats, cluttered walkways, poor lighting, and inadequate entrance protection are among the most frequently overlooked hazards. Regular facility inspections can help identify these issues before they lead to injuries.
