Don’t Slip Up This Winter: Protect Floors & Stay Safe

As temperatures drop and foot traffic rises, commercial entrances face an influx of rain, grit, and dirt, much of which ends up being tracked indoors. The result? Wet, slippery floors, increased cleaning demands, and higher maintenance costs.

 

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips, and falls account for over 31% of non-fatal injuries in UK workplaces (2023–24); that’s more than 187,000 preventable incidents in a single year.

 

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers and building managers have a legal duty to minimise these risks. The HSE identifies properly specified entrance matting systems as one of the most effective ways to prevent slip and trip accidents in commercial environments, especially during the wet and icy winter months.

 

To understand why entrance matting plays such a critical role in building safety and maintenance, it’s important to look at how these systems work and what purpose they serve.

 

Why Entrance Matting Matters in Commercial Spaces

 

Entrance matting is your building’s first line of defence against dirt, water, and slips. A well-designed system can stop up to 80% of debris and moisture before it reaches your floors, saving time on cleaning and reducing maintenance costs.

 

 

Beyond cleanliness, mats help create a safer and more professional-looking entrance. But not all matting is equal; its performance depends on the materials.

 

What Makes a High-Performance Mat

 

Modern commercial mats use advanced materials built for heavy foot traffic. Durable synthetic fibres trap dirt and moisture, while high-density rubber backing keeps the mat stable and prevents wear.

 

Quality materials also resist bacteria, stains, and deformation, helping maintain a clean, hygienic, and inviting entrance for staff and visitors alike.

 

Why Polypropylene Leads the Way

 

The effectiveness of an entrance matting system largely depends on the surface fibre material. Different fibres offer unique benefits based on environmental conditions, footfall levels, and aesthetic requirements. Among these, polypropylene stands out as one of the most versatile and widely used options.

 

Polypropylene combines durability, cost-efficiency, and easy maintenance, making it ideal for medium to high-footfall commercial environments such as offices, retail spaces, and public buildings.

 

Key Characteristics of Polypropylene:

 

• Durable and wear-resistant: Maintains structure and appearance even under sustained pedestrian traffic
• Moisture-absorbent and fast-drying: Reduces slip risks by efficiently capturing and releasing moisture
• Resistant to stains and chemicals: Ensures longevity and minimal upkeep requirements
• Textured fibre construction: Provides effective scraping action to remove dirt, grit, and debris from footwear
• Excellent colour retention: Supports long-term visual appeal and compatibility with branding or custom colour options

 

The Role of Rubber Backing

 

A high-quality rubber backing is just as important as the surface fibre when it comes to the overall performance of an entrance mat. Rubber provides the foundation for dimensional stability, preventing the mat from curling, stretching, or slipping out of place.

 

Key Benefits of Rubber Backing:

 

• Dimensional stability: Retains shape and performance under continuous use
• Non-slip properties: The textured waffle pattern grips the floor, reducing movement and curling
• Moisture barrier: Rubber blocks water from seeping through to the subfloor, protecting flooring from rot, staining, or damage
• Flexibility and resilience: Rubber supports the surface fibres, helping them maintain their structure under heavy traffic

 

 

Understanding how entrance matting is constructed, from durable surface fibres to stable rubber backings, highlights why some systems perform better than others. When the right materials are combined correctly, the mat doesn’t just trap dirt and moisture; it delivers measurable benefits for building safety, operational efficiency, and overall appearance.

 

These advantages form the foundation of why investing in performance-grade entrance matting pays off for any commercial space.

 

The Benefits of Performance-Grade Entrance Matting

 

High-performance entrance matting offers a combination of operational, financial, and safety advantages that have a direct impact on a company’s image and bottom line.

 

Economic and Operational

 

• Reduced cleaning costs: Less cleaning is required throughout the building, saving on both labour and cleaning supplies
• Floor protection: Matting prevents abrasion, staining, and premature wear of interior flooring, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for costly repairs or replacement
• Enhanced safety: Wet or contaminated floors increase the risk of slips and falls, which can lead to injury or liability claims. Effective entrance matting helps maintain dry, secure floors and reduces accident-related costs

 

Professional Presentation

 

First impressions are formed the moment someone enters a building. The appearance and functionality of the entrance area play a crucial role in how visitors perceive an organisation.

 

For client-facing environments such as hotels, corporate offices, retail spaces, and public venues, high-quality matting reinforces a sense of care and professionalism. Beyond performance, entrance matting can also be a powerful branding tool. Businesses can tailor their matting systems to reflect their identity and space design through:

 

• Branded logos or directional graphics
• Coordinated colour palettes
• Modular layouts that enhance visual flow and interior cohesion

Legal Compliance and Risk Management

 

In many commercial environments, maintaining a safe and compliant entrance area is not just good practice; it’s a regulatory requirement.

 

Proper entrance matting supports compliance with health and safety legislation, including standards that address slip resistance, moisture control, and floor hygiene. By mitigating hazards associated with wet or dirty floors, businesses can demonstrate due diligence and limit reduce legal and insurance risks.

 

 

Performance-grade entrance matting is an essential investment for any commercial facility. It helps control dirt and moisture at the source, reduces maintenance costs, enhances safety, supports compliance, and strengthens brand presentation all while protecting the long-term value of interior spaces.

 

What to Consider When Specifying Entrance Matting

 

Once the benefits are understood, the next step is to ensure the system is properly specified for the building’s unique conditions.

 

1. Foot Traffic Volume: Assess the average hourly footfall to determine appropriate durability and size
2. Climate Exposure: For exposed entrances, select matting systems with high water absorption and efficient drainage to cope with rain, snow, and road grit
3. Entrance Width: Maximising coverage of entry points is essential. If ideal matting lengths aren’t feasible due to architectural constraints, consider using combination matting systems (scraper + textile layers) or extending slip-resistant flooring beyond the matting zone
4. Aesthetic Integration: Entrance matting should support the building’s design intent. Many systems offer custom colours, logo integration, or modular patterns that align with interior design or branding strategies

 

Summary: Best Practice Recommendations

 

When specifying entrance matting, prioritise:

 

• Adequate length and placement based on traffic and risk level
• High-performance materials such as polypropylene for durability and moisture control
• Proper installation aligned with building regulations and maintenance needs
• Integration with design objectives, where aesthetics are a consideration
• Investing in the right entrance matting isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting people, property, and brand reputation.

 

As winter sets in, now is the ideal time to review your building’s entrance systems to ensure they’re ready to handle the seasonal challenges ahead. View Heckmondwike’s full range of high‑performance entrance matting options, designed to maintain cleanliness, safety and professionalism from every doorway