Anti-Fatigue Mats - What to Consider

Choosing the correct anti-fatigue mats for your restaurant kitchen can be an overwhelming task. With so many different types of anti-fatigue mats available it can be difficult to know which anti-fatigue mat is suitable to your needs. Below are a few helpful points to consider before you purchase your next anti-fatigue mat from www.servu-online.com.

1. Rubber vs. Vinyl
Serv-U offers both rubber anti-fatigue mats and vinyl anti-fatigue mats. Vinyl anti-fatigue mats are known for holding up in harsh conditions, but should not be used in areas where they will be subjected to oil or animal fats. In areas of the kitchen where oil or fat is used for frying or cooking, look for a rubber mat that has been treated with a grease-resistor for ultimate performance.

2. Holes are ideal
Anti-fatigue mats that will be used in a commercial kitchen should have holes to allow liquid and food debris to fall below the walking surface of the anti-fatigue mat. Ensure that the holes are designed in a way that debris is able to fall completely through the holes when the mats are picked-up for cleaning.

3. Can the mats be lifted easily?
The weight of the anti-fatigue mats should be considered. Anti-fatigue mats that are heavy can be difficult to handle, especially when greasy. Anti-fatigue mats need to be completely lifted off the ground for cleaning, so choose mats that can easily be lifted and moved.

4. Consider the thickness of the mat
If an anti-fatigue mat is too thick, it may pose as a tripping hazard. Many individuals perceive a thicker mat to be a better quality, however that is not necessarily the case. Generally speaking, an anti-fatigue mat that measures 1/2inch in thickness is suitable for most commercial kitchens.

December 22 is the first official day of winter this year, but chilly, wet weather is already a reality in many parts of the country.  The risk of slip and fall injuries is especially high in these months when employees and customers bring the weather inside on their shoes.  Costs related to these kinds of injuries went up by more than 30% between 1998 and 2004, and more than half of all falls occur not from a height—but on a same-level floor surface.  In the back of the house, grease-proof rubber or vinyl kitchen mats make a safer workplace.   Anti-fatigue mats are even constructed to be easier on your back and feet, a nice perk for cooks on their feet all day.

Make sure your business is ready for the icy weather with commercial kitchen mats, and browse Serv-U’s restaurant equipment information center for more safety ideas and product information.