Short answer: In winter, set up a scraper mat at the outer door and an absorbent mat just inside, keep every mat flat and easy to roll over, and swap soaked mats before they stop working. Clinics need it for patient safety. Food plants need it to keep dirt and water out of production areas.
Pennsylvania winters bring snow, ice melt and long stretches of wet weather. A healthcare facility and a food plant face the same weather, but the floors matter for different reasons.
Healthcare facilities
Clinics, hospitals and long-term care buildings have steady foot traffic from patients, visitors and staff. Some people use walkers, canes or wheelchairs, and others are unsteady already. A wet floor near the entrance is not a small problem there.
Things to think about:
- Flat, low-profile edges. A mat should lie flat, with edges that wheels and walkers roll over without catching. Check corners often.
- Wet entrances. An absorbent mat just inside the door takes the water from shoes and wheels.
- Long enough. The mat should be long enough that several steps land on it before the person reaches the main floor.
- Placement near doors that swing. Keep mats clear of door swings and of accessible routes.
- Housekeeping. Staff should still check the entrance during storms and dry what the mat misses.
Follow your facility’s own safety and infection control policies for where and how mats can be used. If you want to read about our work for healthcare customers, see our healthcare linen and mat services.
Food plants and production facilities
Food manufacturing and processing buildings try to keep outside dirt, grit and moisture away from production areas. Employees move between the parking lot, break areas and production floors, and winter adds slush and salt to every pair of boots.
Things to think about:
- Stop dirt at the door. A scraper mat at the employee entrance and an absorbent one inside reduce what travels in.
- Dry floors. Wet, slick floors are a hazard in any plant. OSHA’s walking and working surfaces rule expects floors to be kept clean and, as far as feasible, dry.
- Anti-fatigue mats at work stations where people stand for long periods.
- Fit with your sanitation plan. Mats should work with your existing procedures, not replace them.
Our manufacturing and food processing page explains more about how we support these facilities.
A simple winter setup
- Outside the door. A scraper mat that takes off the heavy grit and snow.
- Just inside. A long absorbent mat for water.
- At work areas. Anti-slip or anti-fatigue mats where floors get wet or people stand.
- A swap schedule. Soaked mats are replaced on a regular route, weekly or more often during storms.
For general advice on picking mats, read choosing the right floor mats for your business.
Why a rental service helps
Large mats are heavy, wet and hard to wash and dry on site. A weekly mat service brings clean mats and takes the used ones away. See our mat service for details.
Frequently asked questions
What type of mat is best for a clinic entrance? A long, flat absorbent mat with edges that wheels can cross, often paired with a scraper mat outside.
Do food plants need different mats than offices? Often yes. Plants need mats that handle more grit and moisture, and anti-fatigue mats for stations. The right choice depends on your sanitation plan.
How often should winter mats be changed? Weekly is a common start. In storms or very busy buildings, change them more often.
Talk to Balfurd
Balfurd Linen Service has served Pennsylvania businesses since 1927. Contact us and we will help you plan mats for the season.