Anti-slip matting for oily floors: a practical UK selection guide

When anti-slip matting is the right answer

If your production floor sees oils, coolants, condensation or tracked-in rainwater, anti-slip matting is often a fast, measurable risk-reduction upgrade—especially in:

• machining aisles and access routes
• loading areas and goods-in corridors
• packing benches with constant footfall
• maintenance walkways around equipment

Start with the anti-slip hub page for product options: /matting/anti-slip/

The selection checklist (what actually matters)

1) What is the contaminant?

Different contaminants behave differently. Coolant mist, hydraulic oil, fine swarf and dust all change traction and cleaning requirements. Document what hits the floor and how often.

2) What is the traffic and load?

Boot traffic, pallet trucks, carts, stools and frequent turning all affect wear. Note:

• busiest routes
• sharp turns and stop-start points
• edge exposure (where ramps are essential)

3) Solid-deck vs drainage formats

• Solid-deck can be easier to clean where liquids are controlled and you want a sealed surface.
• Drainage/open-grid can be preferable where liquids must evacuate quickly to avoid standing contamination.

4) Ramping and edges are part of safety

Anti-slip matting can create new trip risk if you don’t plan transitions. Include ramps/edges in the layout from day one, especially for MHE and pedestrian crossings.

What to include in your spec pack request

To get a useful recommendation quickly, send:

1. photos of the zone and the contaminant sources
2. a simple sketch of the area and traffic direction
3. cleaning routine (chemicals, frequency, washdown method)
4. any incident/near-miss history or HSE concerns

Contact the team here: /contact#contact-form

Hot-work and fabrication areas need extra thought

If the zone includes welding or grinding, you may need materials and documentation suited to “hot works” environments. See: /matting/hot-works-welding/

Recommended next steps

• Anti-slip products and how to choose: /matting/anti-slip/
• Manufacturing environment playbook: /sectors/manufacturing-and-heavy-engineering
• If you also have ESD requirements: /matting/esd-anti-static/