The rather unflatteringly named bog mat is now almost a requirement for most construction and demolition sites. The mats have two main advantages. They give stable and safe access to work sites and they protect the environment from the damage that heavy machinery and constant traffic can cause. Mats make it safer for construction and demolition workers. Depending on the specifications, they can carry the heaviest machinery across wet, slippery and treacherous ground.
Protecting safety of staff and visitors
The health and safety advantages are obvious. The mats provide safe access to work sites, but can also be used to provide level hard-standing areas for cranes and excavators. They come in all shapes and sizes so while heavy duty mats are ideal for heavy machinery, bog mats are also available in smaller sizes for walkways – allowing staff and visitors to move around a work site in safety. Some styles of mats are colour-coded which means safe pedestrian routes are obvious at a glance. They are also small enough to be easily lifted and moved to another spot on the work site.
Safeguarding the environment
Environmental problems can be solved by careful use of bog mats. Where used properly, they can help companies to fulfil their environmental responsibilities by minimising damage to the environment. Without bog mats, the quality of the ground can quickly deteriorate. Heavy machinery can cause damage that takes a long time to repair at high cost. Bog mats are ideal where sensitive areas like parks, tennis courts and football pitches need protection while work is being carried on around them. They also eliminate damage to existing hard surfaces – for example, where heavy machines have to continually cross rail lines.
Sound commercial sense
Bog mats make commercial sense as well. Construction sites on very muddy or boggy land will suffer without them. It will be much more difficult for machines and vehicles to actually access the site so bog mats are the sensible solution to the risk of machinery sinking into the mud or, in the case of cranes, toppling over. They can protect underground water, gas and electricity supply lines. Heavy duty bog mats can cope with weights of upto 100 tonnes. Very wet and muddy sites take longer to complete – and are at much more risk of expensive accidents. Bog mats help to speed up work projects. Since most construction projects must adhere to deadlines, the more quickly and smoothly the work can progress, the more profitable it will be.
With so many different sizes and designs, bog mats are versatile enough for a wide range of uses, not just construction sites. For example, they can be used for temporary access roads, civil engineering, maintenance and repairs to public utilities. They are also useful for emergency access, farm roads, caravan parks, platforms for all types of equipment and walkways at major outdoor events such as music festivals.
