When do entrance mats create a slip or trip hazard?

Entrance mats serve a practical purpose—keeping floors dry and reducing slip incidents. Yet when poorly chosen or installed, they introduce new risks. Raised edges, sliding mats, soaked surfaces, or deteriorating materials often turn safety products into hazards.

The aim here is to outline the key reasons entrance mats cause accidents and how to prevent them.

What Makes an Entrance Mat Safe or Unsafe?

Not every mat is suited for every entrance. Traffic levels, weather exposure, and floor surfaces all influence mat performance. A mismatch between environment and product choice often leads to incidents.

7 Ways That Entrance Mats Cause Slips, Trips and Falls

1. Drummy Bedding

A recessed mat needs a stable base. Drummy bedding refers to a hollow or unstable layer beneath the mat, usually caused by improper concrete application. When the bedding crumbles or separates from the substrate, the mat shifts and develops high spots.

Walking across it feels uneven. Knocking on it produces a hollow sound. Both signal a trip hazard forming beneath the surface.

See and hear it in action here: Watch the video on drummy bedding

Proper bedding compacts firmly and supports the mat evenly. That requires a qualified installer.

2. Inadequate Slip Resistance

A mat without grip does more harm than good. Vinyl or PVC-backed mats tend to slide across tiles, polished concrete, and other smooth surfaces. That movement increases the risk of slips, especially in wet or high-traffic areas.

To reduce sliding, look for non-slip matting—products specifically designed with high-friction backing or fitted into a recess.

Two conditions improve slip resistance:

• Recessed installation that keeps the mat flush with the floor

• A high-friction backing, such as nitrile rubber

Avoid using loose-laid mats unless they’re labelled non-slip and intended for that application. To prevent mats from sliding around, speak with your supplier and confirm what backing type or installation method suits your space.

3. Non-Levelled Recess

A mat should sit flush with its surroundings. If the recess is too deep or uneven, the mat sits low, leaving a raised lip around the perimeter. Every edge becomes a snag point for shoes, trolleys, and mobility aids.

Installers use self-levelling concrete or underlay to build the recess to the correct height. Skipping that step turns a preventative tool into a risk.

4. Low Absorbency

Rain, wet shoes, and poor drainage saturate mats quickly. Once full, water spills onto nearby floors and increases the risk of slipping.

Use a layered setup to prevent this. Start with an outdoor door mat to scrape off heavy dirt and moisture before people enter. Inside, place a high-absorbency carpet-surfaced mat to complete the drying process. That second mat should be left to dry between uses.

Saturated mats lose their function. Once soaked, they should be removed and dried before being reused.

5. Shedding Coir Matting

Coir mats shed fibres as they wear. Those fibres collect near the mat and can spread onto hard floors. On smooth surfaces, loose coir acts like ball bearings.

Daily vacuuming controls this. Clean both the mat and the surrounding area. A handheld blower helps in commercial spaces.

6. Worn Thick Foam Backing

Some mats rely on thick foam layers for comfort or weight. Over time, these layers compress, split, or detach from the top surface. The result? Raised sections, wrinkles, and uneven footing.

This doesn’t happen overnight. It shows up in high-use areas where cheaper mats are used well beyond their intended lifespan. When the backing lifts, so does the risk of a trip.

Inspect backing regularly. Replace worn mats before they deform.

7. Mat Not Glued Down

A common oversight. Mats placed inside a recess without adhesive or fasteners tend to move. They lift at the edges, bubble in the middle, or shift with foot traffic.

In commercial settings, that’s a serious liability.

Fixing methods include:

• High-grip adhesive

• Pin systems

• Custom-cut mats fitted tightly into the recess

Secure fitting matters. A mat that slides becomes a hazard.

Other Contributing Hazards to Be Aware Of

Incorrect Size

Mats that are too small fail to cover high-traffic areas. Feet miss the surface entirely. Dirt and water bypass the mat altogether.

Curled or Rolled Edges

Common in mats shipped rolled. Some never flatten properly. If the corners curl, they become catch points.

Damaged Bevels

Bevelled edges allow trolleys and prams to pass without lifting. Once damaged, they create a ledge.

No Inspection Routine

Mats wear over time. Without checks, you won’t spot tears, compression, or movement. Staff often overlook them unless trained to check.

Matting Best Practices for Safety

Use the following checklist to reduce mat-related hazards:

• Measure the entrance area correctly before ordering

• Match the mat’s material to the floor surface and traffic volume

• Choose rubber-backed or recessed options for high-grip performance

• Pair external scraper mats with indoor absorbent mats

• Keep mats clean and dry

• Check for damage monthly

• Replace mats that no longer stay flat or dry quickly

• Rely on professional installers for recessed or commercial fits

How to Prevent Your Entrance Mat from Causing Slips, Trips and Falls

The safest mats are correctly chosen, fitted, and maintained. Most incidents stem from rushed installation, poor maintenance, or mismatched product selection. Recesses must be level. Mats must be secured. Surfaces must be dry.

High-traffic businesses should never treat matting as an afterthought. Small fixes make a measurable difference.

Speak With a Matting Expert

Still unsure about sizing, installation, or replacement timing? Matshop’s team can help. Contact us for personalised advice on mat safety, recess preparation, or suitable products for your entry space.

Email: [email protected]

Call: 1300 628 746

Use the live chat on our website during business hours.