SAFETY MATS: A SENSE OF PRESENCE

Safety Mat Installation – Surface Preparation. The surface on which the safety mat(s) will be placed should be flat, smooth and free of debris. Any debris left under the safety mat, in time, may work its way through the housing and eventually contact the electrode assembly. This may affect the mechanical switching of the electrode assembly and will provide a path for moisture to enter the safety mat. These conditions may lead to a safety mat failure.

Proper Care of the Safety Mat Cables. After the safety mat is in place, use care in routing the safety mat cables to prevent damaging the insulation or breaking the internal wires. Make sure that the cable passageways are free of burrs and sharp not to pinch the cable when the trim is tightened down. Unless extra precautions are taken to make a watertight connection, never make a cable splice at floor level where the presence of moisture is a possibility. Moisture present at a nonwatertight connection will work through the cable and into the safety mat (i.e. capillary action or wicking).

Safety Mat Mounting Trim. ANSI standard B11.19 also states that, “Whenever possible, the mat should be fixed in place in such a manner so as to prevent easy relocation or removal by the operator or other unauthorized personnel.” Perimeter trim can help with this requirement, but users need to be aware that not all perimeter trim is the same.

Three of the most optimum types of trim include two-part perimeter ramp trim, blunt trim, and two-part joining trim. Two-part perimeter ramp trim holds mat in place and simplifies installation by providing an aluminum base with channels for running cables, and a snap-on PVC cover. Blunt trim is used where a mat needs to be secured in place, but the edge being secured does not present a trip hazard. Two-part joining trim is used to create an active area between two adjacent mats. www.sti.com

A WORLD OF SAFETY MATS
For over fifty years, Tapeswitch Corporation (Farmingdale, NY) has been engineering switch products, systems, and solutions for hundreds of machine safety applications throughout the world’s leading manufacturing industries, including fabricating and metalworking.

One application is where these switch products are connected to machinery to assist in the manufacturing goods in accordance with safety standards and protecting assets, such as safeguarding areas and people, equipment, and machinery. One such Tapeswitch product line that offers these benefits is safety switch mats. These safety mats are engineered to provide over 3 million actuations at any point and are fail-safe protected. Standard actuation forces range from 22 lb (100 nominal) to 66 lb (300 nominal) (Diamond Plate), engineered in accordance with EN17601 standards.

Tapeswitch offers a complete product line of safety mats, including abrasion resistant (ControlMat^TM), puncture proof and impact resistant (ArmorMat^TM), high impact, aluminum plated (Diamond Plate^TM), anti-fatigue (Comfort Zone^TM), and molded (parallel plate) models. These product lines can also be custom engineered in a variety of sizes, large areas, different shapes, long lengths, various colors, different edges, different lead point connectivity, curves and angles, and cutouts.

Tapeswitch manufactures completed safety systems and solutions, as safety mats, which are a switch product, built along with safety interface modules. These safety interface modules can control operation of single or multiple safety switch mats, detect faults, and are fail-safe. Together, the safety mat and safety interface module provide a complete machine safety system. These systems can be engineered to fit safety applications and different machinery the fabricating and metalworking industries.

Engineers work side by side with OEMs, engineers, plant managers, safety professionals, purchasing managers, end-users and all levels of the engineering process within in most industries to custom engineer high quality switch products that take on many forms and meet industry standards and specific applications at affordable prices. They have the shortest lead times for standard and custom built safety mats products.

For over fifty years, Tapeswitch has been manufacturing and engineering a complete product line of switches, such as switch products, ribbon switches, safety and signaling mats, sensing edges, sensing bumpers, safety interface modules, light curtains, trapped key and non-contact interlocks, and custom engineered products for complete safety and non-safety solutions. Switch products are manufactured in the U.S. by Tapeswitch. Tapeswitch is headquartered in Farmingdale, with their manufacturing plant at the same location and with global sales representation in U.S., Canada, England, Germany, and Japan. www.tapeswitch.com

MATS FOR WET ENVIRONMENTS, HARSH CHEMICALS
Cushion-Lok™ is a tough PVC-based workstation mat developed by NoTrax®, part of the Superior Manufacturing Group (Chicago, IL) product line that is intended for wet environments where resistance to harsh industrial chemicals is a necessity. Cushion-Lok™ has hundreds of portholes to facilitate drainage while the worker is elevated on a series of blades to increase traction and keep the worker out of the spillage. The 522 model has a thick gritted layer applied to the top surface to add traction for extremely slippery environments.

Features and Benefits:
• Black tiles & ramps made with 100 percent recycled materials.
• A tough PVC based workstation mat developed by NoTrax® over 30 years ago to be a truly Superior mat.
• Hundreds of portholes facilitate drainage while the worker is elevated on a series of traction blades to help resist slippage and keep the worker out of the spillage.
• Six-inch wide diamond-studded beveled ramps are permanently affixed on 3 sides and perforated for drainage.
• Offered in 4 versions to fit the most demanding environments:
• 520 Cushion-Lok™: All the durability as described but with a bottom surface design that affords maximum flex for worker comfort.
• 522 Cushion-Lok™ with Grip-Step®: Same as 520 but with a thick gritted layer applied to the top surface for extremely slippery environments.

The 520HD and 522HD series are intended for extreme jobs and can withstand up to 1500 lb. www.notrax.com

PRES-ON MATTING PREVENTS SLIPS, DEADENS WORKPLACE NOISE
Pres-On (Addison, IL) high-traction mats enhance safety in the workplace when applied to floors, ladders, running boards, step stools or dozens of other locations. Textured to prevent dangerous slip-and-falls, the matting also features an extra-dense composition that deadens workplace noise to add to employee comfort and productivity.

Pres-On mats come in rugged PVC, thermoplastic rubber or vinyl, and are backed with acrylic adhesive for fast, easy installation. Because the mats won’t degrade when exposed to oils, chemicals, moisture and grease they’re well-suited for heavy commercial and industrial facilities. These adhesive-backed mats apply easily to floors, running boards, work tables.

Pres-On mats are available in rolls up to 150 ft, in widths ranging from ¼ in to 54 in, as well as in slit rolls or die cuts to match exact specifications. www.preson.com