Anti-slip matting provides both safety and comfort for your staff
Enhancing safety in high-risk environments
Author: Dee Jones/19 October 2026/Categories: HEALTH & SAFETY, Creating safe working conditions
We were recently asked to look at a safety and comfort project for staff at a leading bio-technology pharmaceutical research facility in Cambridgeshire.
This site plays a crucial role in supporting drug discovery and development for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Services delivered at this facility include the creation of research models, pre-clinical and clinical laboratory services, as well as the development of gene and cell therapies. The location serves as a key hub in the broader mission to bring new medicines to patients more quickly and safely.
The original brief was to evaluate an area containing a bank of -80°C walk-in freezers, where condensation and frost buildup can lead to wet, slippery surfaces. These areas pose a significant risk to staff, especially when transporting sensitive or heavy materials in and out of the cold storage zones. To address this issue, we supplied our rubber safety mats, selected for their durability and functional design, which is ideal for high-traffic, high-risk areas within laboratory and cold storage environments. The mats are 900 x 600 x 14mm in size and finished in black with a raised-tread anti-slip surface. Other colours and sizes are available as standard.
Why anti-slip mats are essential outside freezers
In any facility utilising ultra-low temperature freezers, moisture drips and condensation are common. As warm, humid air meets the cold surfaces of the freezer and floor, it can cause wet patches and ice formation. Without intervention, this creates a serious slip hazard for staff and increases the risk of workplace injuries, but by installing raised-tread rubber mats the following benefits can be achieved:
- Slips and falls are significantly reduced.
- Floor drainage is improved, helping moisture dissipate.
- Foot traffic is stabilised, particularly when transporting trolleys or equipment.
- The facility aligns with health and safety regulations and best practice standards.
Following on from the initial project with the walk-in freezer area, we then engaged on a process of considering the many other areas of the research facility that had the potential risk of slip accidents. In talking to the staff, we found that many activities involved operatives needing to stand for extended periods of time to complete necessary tasks and we suggested that a comfortable matting surface would help to create a better environment for people to work in. Different matting was supplied for individual areas to suit applications. Safety along with workplace comfort has been significantly improved.
Commitment to safe working environments
Creating a safe and compliant workspace is not just a legal requirement - it's essential for productivity, staff well-being and operational integrity. Supplying effective anti-slip solutions is one of the simplest but most effective ways to mitigate everyday hazards in controlled environments.