The role of ground protection mats in vehicle safety

When assessing vehicle safety, ground protection mats are a key component. Without them, vehicle and pedestrian access during a project or event would be limited and potentially dangerous.

It is valuable to understand the role of ground protection mats in vehicle safety, alongside the broader context of ground stability, especially if you manage health and safety. This guide will also prove useful to those filming on location or hosting an outdoor event with temporary parking or vehicle access.

5 ways ground protection mats contribute to vehicle safety

We know that ground mats are required for project safety, but how do they relate to vehicles specifically, and what do you need to be aware of when choosing the right ground protection for your project?

1. Defining the route

Like other providers, our ground protection mats are available in either silver aluminium or black HDPE depending on their usage. Designated pathways and temporary roads created by ground protection mats are a significantly different colour to the ground and increase visibility.

Extra visibility paint or reflective stickers can be also added to mats, which is especially helpful to plant machinery or vehicles operating at night. Vehicles can safely remain on the access route, instead of accidentally veering off the trackway.

To provide vehicles with more safety at night, routes can be further defined by tower lights. This type of apparatus is also required to sit upon a trackway mat base in most circumstances and ground types.

2. Less slippage and greater traction

Mats provide a stable, non-slip surface, reducing the risk of vehicles skidding on uneven or wet terrain. They also offer a safer grip, allow vehicles to perform more accurate manoeuvres and sharp breaking systems won’t be compromised by poor grip on the ground surface.

Here it is also important to consider what types of vehicle tyres will be travelling over or parking on the ground protection mats and if you have the correct type fitted on your site.

When we install ground protection mats on your site this is something we cover in our first assessment and when we attend the site to provide a further risk assessment. We find this best practice to ensure we are providing suitable ground protection, fit for purpose for the vehicles on site.

3. Even the weight distribution

Ground protection mats evenly distribute vehicle weight, minimizing ground pressure and preventing sinking or tipping, especially on soft or unstable ground, which most construction sites are based upon.

Where event locations are in fields with uneven terrain and no roads i.e. festivals, ground protection is crucial to provide a safe emergency entrance and exit for emergency vehicles.

4. Protect tyres and the vehicle

Slippery, uneven, unstable and undefined surfaces are not the only problems ground protection mats resolve. They also protect vehicles tyres and car bodies against sharp objects, debris, and rough surfaces.

An often overlooked problem is, that driving and parking a vehicle on uneven ground without ground protection can eventually lead to several issues depending on how steep the sloping is. This can cause fluid leaks, suspension strain, tyre wear, brake issues, and body damage.

5. Temporary staff and visitor carparks

Where there is construction work, outdoor events or film shooting, particularly in a remote location over an extended time, vehicle safety also should extend off-site. Providing a temporary carpark to staff, visitors and attendees prevents them from attempting to park dangerously on site, park on soft land or grass and cause damage. It also prevents parking illegally off-site and reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by the pressure of finding a space in a surrounding built-up residential area, urban area or country lane.

Poor parking poses a common risk for vehicle damage and according to Fleetnews “9am is the most common time for an accident to take place”, this is in the rush hour period when people or more relevantly workers are driving to or parking at their place of work. Having a safe, accessible carpark for staff or attendees to park on prevents the panic, stress and rush of trying to find a close parking spot in a short amount of time.

Choosing ground protection mats based on vehicle & project type

This is really important. Often, it is thought if you apply ground protection to your site, you have ticked the health and safety box. However, if your ground protection choice is not aligned with the vehicles and project type then you could be unknowingly not adhering to health and safety policies or fulfilling procedures.

Our sectors page showcases how required mat types vary based on project size, ground conditions and the vehicles you may be using as part of the project.

As well as this helpful information you can also speak to our friendly service desk team for help or use our online cost calculator which will give us all the helpful information our project engineers will need to assess your ground protection needs before attending your site.

Your ground protection mat provider

Ground protection mats not only play a critical role in vehicle access and stability throughout a project but there are clear benefits for site access and the broader safety of staff and contractors alike. 

Knowing where to get started can feel overwhelming, and our team is here to help, you can call our team directly on 01698 352751 or send a message via our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.