During project mobilization, project managers have the crucial task of securing all the equipment and resources needed once execution begins. The list is long and includes everything from heavy iron to temporary fences to portable restrooms. To set a project up for maximum success, companies should consider adding one more item: ground protection mats. 

These mats, made of hardwood, composite or other materials, can help contractors maximize uptime, maintain a good safety record, limit environmental damage and save money. They are easy to install and reposition as necessary.

If you’re a project manager or construction business owner, consider the following benefits of ground protection matting when it’s time to plan your next project.

Ground protection mats boost productivity

Installing mats can increase productivity in a number of ways, and the productivity gains often dramatically outweigh the cost.

Reduced downtime

Some 45% of construction sites are affected by inclement weather. Muddy conditions after rain, snow or spring melts can prevent crews from working for days or weeks while they wait for the mud to dry. Temporary roads made of mats provide smooth passage for people and equipment despite muddy, swampy, soft, unstable or uneven terrain.

Ground protection mats for heavy equipment not only prevent equipment from getting stuck in mud or soft ground, they also protect the tires and undercarriage from sudden damage caused by large rocks. Rough-surfaced mats also increase traction to minimize slipping and skidding.

Protection for stationary machines

Placing mats under machines such as generators and dewatering pumps pays off, too. A pump won’t slide down a muddy slope into a body of water if it’s sitting on an equipment pad that levels the ground and keeps the pump out of the mud. Likewise, generators placed on mats won’t sink into mud or be soaked by snowmelt and stop functioning unexpectedly.

A cleaner, more functional jobsite

General contractors who utilize mats to create a neat, clean jobsite may gain a competitive edge by making the site more appealing to subcontractors. Busy subs typically work on multiple jobs at the same time. Given the choice between a site with mats in place or one with a mud hole, subs will likely prioritize the former.

Mats also create smooth, mud-free staging areas that protect high-value materials.

Reduced jobsite maintenance

Leveraging mats instead of gravel can deliver significant ROI. For example, parking pads created with mats save you the effort of raking and cleaning gravel and can be more cost-effective in the end. Once removed, mats leave no debris behind.

Mats boost site safety

Ground protection mats are a smart, affordable way to establish a safer working environment.

Stable ground for pedestrians

By covering muddy ground and leveling uneven terrain, mats reduce slip and fall hazards. They also prevent deep ruts in the earth left by dried mud, which can cause workers to trip or roll an ankle. Installing mats under portable restrooms and office trailers is a simple way to guarantee sure footing for personnel as they enter and exit.

Stable surfaces for equipment

An even higher-value benefit of mats is minimizing the risk of equipment tip-overs. Temporary access roads that level out uneven terrain and stabilize soft, shifting ground help prevent equipment from tilting.

Crane mats and other heavy-duty mats can be used to create equipment work platforms that stabilize cranes, diggers, boom lifts and other heavy equipment during operation. These platforms reduce the risk of a catastrophic tip-over that could not only cause serious injury or death but also negatively affect your safety record.

Cleaner getaways for vehicles

Rocks and pieces of gravel often get stuck in vehicle tires and are carried onto local roads and highways. If they damage road surfaces or crack windshields, contractors may be held liable. Trackout control mats installed over temporary exits dislodge debris and also collect mud.

Mats protect the environment

Mats reduce the environmental impact of construction activities, which benefits companies on several fronts.

Heavy equipment rolling or sitting directly on the ground can compact the soil, increasing stormwater runoff. Ground protection mats protect against soil compaction by spreading out the pressure exerted by wheels and tracks. They can play a key role in helping contractors comply with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Lack of SWPPP compliance can lead to budget-breaking fines.

Limiting the disruption of soil and vegetation during construction also reduces the amount of restoration you may need to do at the end of the project, and the associated costs.

Choosing a ground protection mat provider

By increasing safety and productivity, eliminating gravel installation and maintenance and reducing site restoration needs, ground protection mats can protect your reputation and your profit margins.

Choosing the right type of mats and ordering them in the optimal quantity can be challenging. Partnering with an experienced matting provider simplifies planning.

To explore using mats on your next construction project, talk to the matting experts at United Rentals. We carry a large inventory of mats from multiple brands to meet every project demand, and our matting team can help you forecast your mat needs and guide you to the most appropriate, cost-effective matting solutions for the project, soil and terrain.

If the jobsite requires temporary access roads, United Rentals can provide a custom matting plan and perform mat installation, mat removal and site restoration so you don’t have to.

Contact the United Rentals Ground Protection Matting team to discuss mats for your next project or get a quote.