Most construction sites see heavy foot traffic around portable restrooms, office trailers and storage containers. In inclement weather, the path to and from these units can become wet, muddy or slick. Installing ground protection mats allows workers to move around the site more easily, increasing safety and productivity. A side benefit: Less mud is tracked inside.

Ground protection mats, including timber mats of various types and composite mats, provide significant value all around the jobsite. They can be used to create stable, cost-effective access roads, smooth, gravel-free parking pads and clean equipment staging areas, for example. Here are four reasons to putmats around, and under, temporary infrastructure, too.

Mats increase jobsite safety

When the ground is loose, uneven, muddy or icy, it’s all too easy for workers to roll an ankle or miss their footing. In addition, when mud dries and forms rolls, workers can trip over those rolls. Given the number of times a day crews visit portable restrooms and managers enter and exit jobsite trailers, the potential risks add up.

Renting, leasing or purchasing ground protection mats is an effective, affordable way to enhance safety. Mats create a dry, non-slip path that is smoother than gravel to help on-foot workers safely travel to and around high-traffic areas. By preventing mud buildup, they also help ensure that doors to porta potties and ground-level offices open and close properly.

Mats can also be installed under temporary infrastructure to create a stable and level foundation. They prevent the ground from shifting and the units on top of them from tilting or sinking, ensuring safer entry, exit and usage.

Mats boost productivity

Mud is the enemy of productivity on construction jobsites. In addition to posing a safety hazard, it can slow down work.

Timber mats create a raised surface that allows for water runoff and reduces pooling. By installing the right mats or combination of mats at the beginning of a job, project managers can safeguard day-to-day operations from the effects of storms that could otherwise leave the site muddy for days or weeks.

Mats are easy to install. Unlike gravel surfaces, they aren’t eroded by weather, and they don’t require ongoing maintenance, other than an occasional cleaning if mud is severe. They can be quickly repositioned as the project progresses.

Mats facilitate a clean, well-organized jobsite

Installing mats around portable restrooms and trailers, as well as in parking and staging areas, creates a more organized, professional-looking jobsite. The mats help contain mud and debris, keeping areas clean and presentable for clients visiting the site.

The interiors of portable restrooms and mobile offices also stay cleaner because less mud and debris is tracked in. This reduces the need for cleaning and, for portable restrooms, improves hygiene.

Mats protect the ground

Over time, restroom trailers, mobile offices and storage containers can compact the soil and cause deep ruts or even sinkholes to form. Installing timber mats under temporary infrastructure protects the ground beneath by evenly distributing the weight of the unit. On projects with restoration requirements, mats make returning the site to its original condition cheaper and faster.

Since mats reduce soil compaction, they also help contractors maintain compliance with environmental regulations around stormwater runoff.

Partnering with an experienced ground protection matting provider that offers a large inventory of mats simplifies the selection of mats for different jobsite needs and project budgets. The matting team at United Rentals can guide contractors to right types of mats for the environment, terrain, application and project duration and provide turnkey installation so they can move on to project execution—and revenue generation—sooner.

Contact the United Rentals Ground Protection Matting team today to discuss mats for your next project.